The Sweet 16 of College Basketball Venues

From basketball royalty like Kentucky's Rupp Arena to more obscure venues like UPenn's Palestra, check out our picks for the top venues in all of college basketball.

By: Ben Breslerman

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Rupp Arena - University of Kentucky

Named after legendary head coach Adolph Rupp, Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington, KY, has definitely seen its share of victories. The University of Kentucky Wildcats own the record for the most wins in Division I men's college basketball history, and play in the largest basketball arena in the US. With arguably the most passionate fans in college basketball and more than 23,500 seats, they don't get more wild then Rupp Arena and the fans of Big Blue Nation.

Allen Fieldhouse - University of Kansas

You can find tradition nearly everywhere inside Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, KS. Need proof? The Kansas Jayhawks play their home games on James Naismith Court, the inventor of basketball. With the second most wins in men's college basketball history, Rock Chalk Nation cheers loud but chants even louder.

Bud Walton Arena - University of Arkansas

The "Basketball Palace of Mid-America" resides in Fayetteville, AR, and is home to the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. One of the newer stadiums on our list, Bud Walton Arena was constructed in 1993. Its history was cemented in the arena's inaugural season as the men's team won the national championship.

Carrier Dome - Syracuse University

The Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY, has to pull double duty as it plays host to 2 of Syracuse University's major men's sports programs. The football program plays in the 49,250-seat stadium, but the Orangemen are known for their excellence on the basketball court. With such a massive stadium, the basketball fans are large in numbers and as loud as can be, making the Carrier Dome one of the toughest places for any opponent.

University Arena - University of New Mexico

The Pit, formerly known as University Arena, is one of the loudest arenas in all of college basketball. You can hear the 15,000-plus fans howling, as the University of New Mexico Lobos duke it out on Bob King Court in Albuquerque, NM.

Gallagher-IBA Arena - Oklahoma State University

Located in Stillwater, OK, Gallagher-Iba Arena is home to Oklahoma State's Cowboys. Built in 1938, Gallagher-Iba Arena still has its original maple floors, and is known by many as "The Rowdiest Arena in the Country."

Memorial Gym - Vanderbilt University

Probably the most unique stadium in all of college basketball belongs to Vanderbilt University. Memorial Gym in Nashville, TN, features the team benches on opposite ends rather than sides, along with a cinematic, triple-deck structure. Memorial Gym is said to give the Commodores home court advantage because of its unusual design, making it one of the most difficult places for opposing teams to come away with a win.

Pauley Pavilion - University of California Los Angeles

When it comes to Los Angeles basketball, most people think of the Lakers. But rivaling the recent success in their home stadium, the Staples Center, is Pauley Pavilion, the home of the UCLA Bruins. LA is known for its flash, and in classic LA fashion, Pauley Pavilion has seen its share of superstars. With the "Wizard of Westwood" John Wooden coaching such legends as Lew Alcinder (aka Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and Bill Walton, and owning the most national championships in men's college basketball history, it's clear why the Pavilion made our sweet 16.

Cameron Indoor Stadium - Duke University

One of the most historic basketball venues in the country also happens to be one of the smallest. Home of the Duke Blue Devils, and only seating 9,314, Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC, is known as one of the most electric stadiums in all of basketball. There have been many legendary coaches in college basketball but perhaps none more than the court's namesake, Mike Krzyzewski, or as he's known by most fans, simply "Coach K."

Maples Pavilion - Stanford University

Known for the Sixth Man, the raucous student section of Cardinal fans, Maples Pavilion has become one of the most notorious venues on the West Coast. With fans sitting just inches from the court, opposing teams face a difficult task every time they travel to Stanford, CA.

Matthew Knight Arena - University of Oregon

The Palestra - University of Pennsylvania

When you think of top college basketball venues, you think of the big programs that have been dominant for decades. But the "Cathedral of College Basketball" belongs to the Quakers of the University of Pennsylvania. Located in Philadelphia, the Palestra opened in 1927 and has a capacity of 8,722.

The Dean Dome - University of North Carolina

Just down "Tobacco Road" from Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) rival Duke University, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels play their home games in Chapel Hill, NC, at the Smith Center, better known as the Dean Dome. With jerseys once worn by the likes of Michael Jordan, James Worthy and Bob McAdoo hanging from the rafters, there's no doubt that the Dean Dome is one of the most historic venues in all of college basketball.

Hinkle Fieldhouse - Butler University

Home to the Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team, Hinkle Fieldhouse, which was built in 1928 and renamed in 1966 after Paul D. Hinkle, is one of the oldest college basketball stadiums still in use. The fieldhouse is also a US national historic landmark.

Assembly Hall - Indiana University

The Hoosiers may have been up and down on the court for the past decade, but that can’t erase their incredible history in Assembly Hall. Over an 11-year span from 1976 to 1987, legendary coach Bob Knight led the Hoosiers to three national championships, including a perfect season in '76. And who can forget the moment Bob lost his temper and hurled a chair across the court against Purdue in '85? Moments like these, good and bad, have created a special environment for Hoosier fans in Bloomington, IN.