Top College Basketball Arenas
If you're a fan of college basketball then these are the courts
that are said to be the best of best to watch a game in. Between
the skills the seating and the concessions there's no better
place to see a game then these courts.
In first is Kansas' Allen Fieldhouse. Built in 1955 it gets
16,300 fans surprisingly close to the action and makes your
eardrums feel on the verge of popping. This place has a charm to
it that you just can't find in many arenas. Composed of almost
all bleachers fans can populate this building with ease. It was
ahead of its time with the bleachers in the corners angled in
toward the court and three concourses that spread out the crowd
to relieve pedestrian congestion.
Minnesota's Williams Arena comes in second. Built in 1928 it's
historic and charming. With a raised playing floor, the first
row of fans look at the players at about knee level. They also
did a good job of honoring their history by having large banners
hanging in the arena of past Gopher greats. The concessions
won't put a strain on you're wallet either. This arena can hold
about 14, 395 for basketball.
Butler's Hinkle Fieldhouse is another one built in 1928. Try to
catch an afternoon game when the sun is shinning in from the
windows at the top of the arena as if the heavens are watching
the game too. If it doesn't send chills down your back, you are
not a genuine hoops fan. The Fieldhouse can house about 11,000
for basketball.
The historic Palestra home court for Penn comes in fourth. It
was built in 1927 and seats 8700 for basketball. It is loud and
when you walk around the outer concourse, you get a real sense
of the history of this sacred basketball building. There are
pictures of many of the past greats from the Big 5 who played
there hanging on the wall and in display cases.
Finally, Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium ranks fifth. The student
crowd, known as the 'Cameron Crazies', are mind blowing with
their well-embedded actions and chants for all 60 minutes of the
game. A forceful half-time show gets everyone pumped as well.
Fans have to squeeze in here a little more than they would like,
but the history is great from the architecture of the building
to the numerous displays documenting the past. The stadium seats
9,314 screaming fans.