I've been to all of them except Auburn's new one, but most were over 10 years ago before a bunch of them were renovated.

I thought Rupp was overrated, but it had more to do with the area around it I guess.

Arkansas's is my favorite, but I prefer their old one. But I like older arenas better anyway. Vandy's is awesome because it's so unique, but the sight lines are pretty terrible.

UGA's was a dump, but again that was in 2000 before they renovated it. It looks a lot nicer now.

My top 3:

1. Arkansas
2. Florida
3. Rupp, by default I guess.

The rest as I remember were either really bland(Coleman, Miss St, Tennessee) or dumps(Ole Miss, UGA, Auburn's old one).

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Posted by Cheese Grits

Wherever I lay my hat is my home

Member since Apr 2012

54792 posts

Posted on 12/4/14 at 9:56 am to The Spleen

quote:
I thought Rupp was overrated

The key to Rupp is the era in which it was built. It is not an attractive building as it was built in the age of crappy concrete box architecture but it is more than just a building. It has 4 unique things that make it awesome for a college basketball game.

#1 sheer size
#2 no corporate suites which means maximum noise
#3 built before ADA handicap rules so steep seating puts crowd closer to game*
#4 atmosphere of seeing top teams in the nation play each other

* For a few years Rupp also played home to an AHL hockey team. Both the home team and the visiting teams all commented on the "closeness" of the crowds during game play.

quote:
I like older arenas better anyway

(insert kige here)

Stokley and Barnhill were great places to see a game. Memorial (UK) in the heyday was very intense. If you are really old, Alumni Gym was a place of magic and wonderment.

quote:
My top 3:

1 Rupp
2 Memorial
3 TB
BWA is right up there but they need to get the life back in it.

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Posted by redeye

Member since Aug 2013

8605 posts

Posted on 12/5/14 at 12:43 am to The Spleen

quote:
Arkansas's is my favorite, but I prefer their old one. But I like older arenas better anyway.

You and me both. The atmosphere in Barnhill was far better imo, but then I also like older arenas better. They just have more character.

quote:
I understand they want a lot of side line seats, but it always seems odd to see the arena set up perpendicular to the main body of the structure. Butler does that too.

I think it adds character and like it.