SPOKANE, Wash. — When teams come to play the Gonzaga Bulldogs in Spokane, opposing players and coaches know the crowd — especially the students — makes a difference.
Even before tipoff, more than 1,200 Gonzaga students, dressed in Bulldog gear and wild outfits, sing and jump to “Zombie Nation” by Kernkraft 400, sending chills and adrenaline through players and fans alike.
That atmosphere has helped Gonzaga’s student section, known as the Kennel Club, earn a ranking as the ninth-best student section in men’s college basketball by CBB insider Andy Katz.
Rowdiest atmospheres 🫨@TheAndyKatz lists his top 🔟 student sections 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/n9DcVzek5o
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) October 2, 2025
The McCarthey Athletic Center seats 6,000 and is sold out for every home game. With the students behind them, the Bulldogs have posted a 142-11 home record over the past 10 seasons.
The eight student sections ranked ahead of Gonzaga were Duke at No. 1, Purdue at No. 2, Kansas at No. 3, Auburn at No. 4, Michigan State at No. 5, Illinois at No. 6, Arizona at No. 7 and Iowa State at No. 8.
The Kennel Club will make its 2025-26 season debut when Gonzaga hosts its annual scrimmage, Kraziness in the Kennel, on Oct. 5. The event will stream live at 4 p.m. on SWXLocalSports.com and air on tape delay at 7:30 p.m. on SWX.