Deadbolt
Well-known member
The Joel is a fine place to watch games. Sure, I'd prefer a nice new 8k-10k facility that would be packed every night, but I don't think that would be a wise use of university resources and I think the atmosphere in such an arena would be just as bad if the team is bad. I say that as someone who went to a game or two a week at Cameron in grad school. The building has charm, but if the teams weren't good, the building wouldn't help.
Slightly different comparing my alma mater to Wake, but I will tell you that the small gym filled to the brim with screaming students and fans @ Campbell was FAR more intimidating (even when they weren't very good) to play in than most games I've ever seen in the Joel. Obviously there are some great games involving Duke and UNC where the Joel is full and rocking, but a smaller gym could be a madhouse every game. The students just have to make it that way.