Oregon Ducks Men's Basketball - Venues and Facilities

Venues and Facilities

McArthur Court was constructed in 1926 and the first Oregon basketball game was played in the arena on January 14, 1927, defeating Willamette University 38-10. The arena is located across from Pioneer Cemetery and is named after Clifton McArthur, the first student body president. McArthur Court has received a reputation as one of the most intimidating basketball arenas for opposing teams in the Pac-10 Conference. A group of students known as the “Pit Crew” has at times created environments so hostile that the basket would shake as opponents attempted free throws.

In early 2009, the university broke ground on a new $227 million basketball arena designed by TVA Architects to replace McArthur Court. The new arena was named Matthew Knight Arena, after Phil Knight’s son who drowned in a scuba diving accident in 2004. The arena is considered to be the front door to the university due to its high profile location where the majority of vehicular traffic into the university stems from. A primary goal was to create the best collegiate basketball venue in the country though many criticisms arose due to the funding and price tag associated with the design. The hardwood court was named after Patrick Kilkenny, a booster for the university and the former interim athletic director. It has been the subject of much debate upon its opening, due to its unconventional and artistic design. Designer Tinker Hatfield’s idea was to pay tribute to the 1939 national championship team, nicknamed “The Tall Firs”, by creating silhouetted firs around the edges of the court. Matthew Knight Arena opened its doors for the first time on January 13, 2011, defeating the University of Southern California 68-62.