When it was built, it was touted as a larger version of Barnhill Arena, the team's former home.

In hopes of recreating the formidable home-court advantage the Razorbacks enjoyed at Barnhill, architect Rosser International built an arena that, as the company put it, had "more seats in less space than in any other facility of the same type anywhere in the world.

[6] In its early years, Nolan Richardson's teams frequently attracted standing-room-only crowds of over 20,000.

In 2008, LED ribbon boards were installed around the ring between the upper and lower decks.

[8] On March 28, 2019, the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name the court in honor of former coach Richardson.