Which Atlantic 10 venue is the toughest place to win?

— -- Over a two-week span, we're answering the following question for college basketball's 10 best conferences: Which venue in each conference is the toughest place to play? A number of factors, not just capacity and attendance, could affect a venue's place in the order. Where does your school fall? 

14. La Salle Explorers: Tom Gola Arena, opened in 1998
It's a small venue. Capacity is 3,400. But last season, the Explorers fell about 1,000 short of averaging a sellout each night. That's not good. According to RPIRatings.com, it's the 287th-ranked home-court advantage at the Division I level. The consensus for Tom Gola? Great job bringing basketball back to campus after a lengthy absence but a poor design limits its allure.

Fun fact: Tom Gola, the venue's namesake, still holds the NCAA's career rebounding mark with 2,201.

13. Massachusetts Minutemen: Mullins Center, opened in 1993
With only one NCAA tournament appearance since 1998, the Mullins Center charisma has declined since the Marcus Camby/John Calipari era. The good news is that this is still a fun, on-campus venue on its best nights. It's also positioned in a great college town on a gorgeous campus. But the program averaged just over 3,300 fans last season. That's one-third of its capacity. Hard to create a great environment under those circumstances.

Fun fact: The building also holds the Mullins Community Ice Rink, a popular public facility.

12. Duquesne Dukes: Palumbo Center, opened in 1988
The 4,406-seat Palumbo Center averaged just over 1,832 fans per game last season. The atmosphere resembles a high school contest more than a Division I event. Part of that's on Duquesne, which hasn't reached the NCAA tournament since 1977. But it's also easy to get lost in Pittsburgh if you're not a competitive program. Duquesne's atmosphere reflects that.

Fun fact: Duquesne has won only 54 percent of its home games at Palumbo Center since 1988.

11. Fordham Rams: Rose Hill Gymnasium, opened in 1925
College basketball's oldest venue was nicknamed "The Prairie" when it opened 91 years ago because it was then considered one of the game's largest facilities. It oozes nostalgia and will always possess a unique personality. Fans show up in the big moments and agitate opponents. Perhaps that's the reason former St. John's coach Lou Carnesecca tried to punch former Fordham coach Tom Penders twice in one game during a 1982 matchup. But head coach Tom Pecora once told the New York Times that "a good number" of recruits weren't impressed. Last season, Fordham averaged 2,100 fans in a building that seats more than 3,400. The program hasn't reached the NCAA tournament since 1992. That doesn't help.

Fun fact: Vince Lombardi, a Fordham alum, started a fundraising drive to replace Rose Hill Gymnasium in the 1970s, but he died before he could complete the effort.