It’s pretty awesome that a perennial title contender plays in a 6,000-seat venue. The $136 million renovation was much needed to modernize this legendary arena. It’s the newest arena out of the tournament field (opened in 2010), and has quickly attracted one of the loudest crowds in the SEC. It recently underwent an $80 million renovation, and I’m a sucker for stage lighting in arenas.Īlways among the toughest places to play in the Big Ten, and I love how the student section gets the best seats.
It’s an NBA-sized arena that can get so loud for big games. Don’t let the venue’s awful name fool you – it’s solid. Texas Tech - United Supermarkets Arenaįans have flocked to be a part of the Red Raiders’ resurgence. The school has put nearly $100 million into the arena since joining the Big 12.ġ3. It would be so much louder if the dome wasn’t like a thousand feet above the stands. You can find some high school venues that are larger, which makes it so awesome for big games. Saint Mary’s - University Credit Union Pavilion The program’s history is undeniable, but North Carolina deserves a new arena.ġ6. When the Cyclones are competing near the top of the Big 12, there aren’t many tougher places to play. It’s ridiculously large for a college basketball venue, which is great for big games – but not so great early on in the non-conference season. I couldn’t find a photo we could use, so you’ll just have to take my word for it. They might be the last team in the tournament, but the arena is fairly new, fits 10,000 fans and I’m digging the green rafters. Texas A&M Corpus Christi – American Bank Center The newly renovated arena gives off some New Mexico Pit vibes with a modern twist.
It just loses some of its juice with Marquette unable to fill all of it. It’s a great NBA venue and a brand-new arena. Rutgers fans absolutely love to tell anyone who will listen about how great the RAC is. It’s nowhere near The Palestra’s level of basketball heritage, but Ivy League venues are awesome. It’s relatively new, and I like new things. Viejas could definitely use some updating, but the atmosphere is among college basketball’s best. It’s a decently nice arena, but again, it feels like it’s too big of a venue for Seton Hall basketball. Name it the Sister Jean Arena, in my opinion. UConn splits time between Gampel Pavilion and the XL Center, which is a bummer. It’s fine, but lacks character for a school from Miami. Thankfully, it is not hosting tournament games this year. It has some of the worst sight lines for TV. Incredibly outdated, but I sort of like the exterior for some reason. The fact that Ja Morant played there makes it infinitely cooler, though. Montana State - Brick Breeden Fieldhouseĥ0.
Wild that a team like LSU plays in such an outdated venue.ĥ2. Texas can’t replace this arena fast enough. Jacksonville State - Pete Mathews Coliseum
The school hopes to renovate it soon, so there’s that.ĥ9. Saint Peter’s - Yanitelli Recreational Life Center So expect the Bears to rise considerably on this list in the future.Ħ3. It’s a miserable place to watch basketball, but Baylor is already working on a brand-new arena. I knew the arena was going to be trouble off that name alone. Texas Southern - Health & Physical Education Arena Thankfully, plans are already in place to build a new home for the Crimson Tide.Ħ5. Just a depressingly bad venue for a team that’s had one of the great NCAA tournament moments in recent years.Ī team with Alabama’s resources really should not be playing in a 60-year-old arena with little improvement over the years. It’s an NBA arena, it should be higher up the list. Still, that doesn’t have to stop us from taking a look at the best venues among the 68 teams in the men’s NCAA tournament field. Others could hardly pass off as a high school gym.īut that’s the beauty of the NCAA tournament: Every game is played on a neutral court. Some venues are elite and rich in tradition. I mean, it doesn’t get better than that.Īnd with 358 schools, there are 358 different venues - all with their own unique atmospheres and stories. In Division I alone, there are 358 teams competing for 68 spots in a single-elimination tournament. There really isn’t any sport quite like college basketball.