As the men’s college basketball season swiftly approaches, Andy Katz takes a look at the must-see college basketball venues in the nation.
Here are the the top places to play and watch men’s college basketball, ranked by Katz:
1. Kansas
Allen Fieldhouse
Rock Chalk Jayhawk. The atmosphere and noise in Lawrence is second to none. This is a must-see on every college basketball fan’s list.
2. Duke
The Cameron Crazies of Cameron Indoor Stadium
Cameron was rocking like no other venue last season for Coach K’s last season. That should continue under Jon Scheyer with excitement still high.
REPLACING COACH K: How Duke’s new head coach Jon Scheyer is already impacting the program
3. Purdue
Mackey Complex
Mackey Arena is perfectly built for a tremendous atmosphere with the sound bouncing off the curved, bubble ceiling. This joint is absolutely a gem.
4. Gonzaga
McCarthey Athletic Center
The Kennel is one of the best places to watch a game in the country. The student section has been awesome of late, making home games a happening in Spokane.
5. Kentucky
Rupp Arena
Rupp Arena is still Rupp. Kentucky’s Big Blue Nation can produce a homecourt venue that is hard to top. The lack of intimacy pushes it down a few notches.
MORE RANKINGS: The top 25 returning men’s basketball players for the 2022-2023 season
6. Arizona
McKale Memorial Center
McKale Center was the place to be on the West Coast during the Lute Olson years. It’s back. The homecourt last season was something special again.
7. Indiana
Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
Assembly Hall — yes I’m still calling it that — is spread out high and wide but when it is packed and the Hoosiers are elite (like this season) it will be one of the best.
8. Arkansas
Bud Walton Arena
Bud Walton was the place to be during Nolan Richardson’s run. Eric Musselman has the place jumping again.
9. North Carolina
Dean E. Smith Center
The Smith Center has been consistently elite since it opened. It is and will be a top-10 venue.
PRESEASON RANKINGS: North Carolina leads off Andy Katz’s preseason Power 36
10. Texas Tech
United Supermarkets Arena
The Red Raiders, under Chris Beard and now Mark Adams, have created quite an atmosphere at the United Supermarkets Arena.
Honorable mentions: Iowa State, Michigan State, Illinois, Providence, Creighton, San Diego State, BYU, Saint Mary’s.
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