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A couple weeks ago, I talked about my Bucket List and began in the world of football. Now, let’s move onto basketball, which includes my favorite group of stadiums: College Basketball Arenas. I love the diversity of these facilities as they come in all different shapes, sizes and ages. Note that the Basketball Bucket List below only features 2 NBA arenas as those sterile, manufactured places just don’t do it for me.
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Alaska Airlines Arena – Washington Huskies: Despite the corporate name, this remains a historic gem at heart. I prefer still calling it Hec Edmundson Pavilion
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Assembly Hall – Indiana Hoosiers: Recent renovations made this place even better. Remarkably unique seating design and very loud
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Bankers Life Fieldhouse – Indiana Pacers: One of only 2 NBA arenas on the list. Designers did it right and the arena just ‘feels’ like Indiana
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Breslin Center – Michigan State Spartans: The Izzone! I also really like the soft lighting near the top of the arena bowl
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Cameron Indoor Stadium – Duke Blue Devils: Despite my dislike of all aspects regarding Duke, this is an amazing place that needs a visit
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Charles Koch Arena – Wichita State Shockers: The Shockers were on my list even before the Gregg Marshall era. People underestimate the atmosphere in The Roundhouse
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Dean Smith Center – North Carolina Tar Heels: Mainly on here just because they are a basketball blueblood
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Dee Glen Spectrum – Utah State Aggies: So sad how far the Spectrum has fallen in recent years. The student section is nowhere near doing stuff like this. Hope they come back to glory soon.
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Gallagher-Iba Arena – Oklahoma State Cowboys: Another atmosphere that has dropped off. However, the near-100 year old arena itself is worth visiting
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Hinkle Fieldhouse – Butler Bulldogs: No words needed as Hinkle is on a level of its own
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Hilton Coliseum – Iowa State Cyclones: Hilton Magic.
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Marriott Center – BYU Cougars: Huge place with great crowds
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McKale Center – Arizona Wildcats: Arizona is perennially good and their tightly packed arena is always quite loud
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McCarthey Athletic Center – Gonzaga Bulldogs: I’d love to go to pay homage to a remarkable program and what they have done in the sport the last 20 years
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Memorial Gym – Vanderbilt Commodores: Like a theater. There may not be a more unusual college basketball arena than Vanderbilt’s. Awesome.
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Pauley Pavilion – UCLA Bruins: I’ve always been blah about UCLA and Pauley, but, history.
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Phog Allen Fieldhouse – Kansas Jayhawks: Rock. Chalk. Jayhawk. Cue goosebumps.
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Rupp Arena – Kentcucky Wildcats: Generic downtown arena in a shopping center. But it’s Kentucky!
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Siegel Center – VCU Rams: Been Here! Blown away by the game-day atmosphere. Get here an hour early to fully take in The Peppas
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Staples Center – Los Angeles Lakers: It’s LA. It’s The Lakers. Gotta go once.
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The Palestra – Penn Quakers: Been Here! Walking from that tight concourse into that incredible gym for Penn-Saint Joseph’s is something I’ll never forget
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The Pit – New Mexico Lobos: Yes, literally built in a Pit, New Mexico has always been at the top of basketball places to visit.
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Viejas Arena – San Diego State Aztecs: Viejas looks like a Pit as well with the no-frills floor to top seating. The Show is an entertaining student section.
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Williams Arena – Minnesota Golden Gophers: The Barn is similar to Vanderbilt in that no arena is like it.
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Stadium and Arena Visits 