A new college basketball champion has been crowned (and the women's champion will be determined Tuesday night), but our search for the best arena in college basketball is just heating up. After an intense second round that saw more than 22,000 votes cast and some winners determined by just a handful of votes, Facility Madness rolls on.
If you're just joining us, the rules are simple: vote for the college basketball facilities you think are best. We outlined our criteria here. Without any further ado, here are the quarterfinal matchups:
A new college basketball champion has been crowned (and the women's champion will be determined Tuesday night), but our search for the best arena in college basketball is just heating up. After an intense second round that saw more than 22,000 votes cast and some winners determined by just a handful of votes, Facility Madness rolls on.
If you're just joining us, the rules are simple: vote for the college basketball facilities you think are best. We outlined our criteria here. Without any further ado, here are the quarterfinal matchups:
New-School Region
(1) Nebraska's Pinnacle Bank Arena vs. (3) Oregon's Matthew Knight Arena
DLR Group-designed Pinnacle Bank Arena is the leading vote-getter through the first two rounds of Facility Madness 2014.
Pinnacle Bank Arena Opened: 2013 Capacity: 15,147 Construction Costs: $180 million Special Features: 36 luxury suites, two private club lounges, high-definition video board, plus home crowds at the new arena helped Nebraska make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998.
In a hotly contested battle, Matthew Knight Arena squeaked past Louisville's KFC Yum! Center by just a handful of votes.
Matthew Knight Arena Opened: 2011 Capacity: 12,364 Construction Costs: $227 million Special Features: The Matt features the largest hanging scoreboard in college sports and that unmistakable court design.
{module Quarterfinals New-School Region}
Renovated Region
(4) Tennessee's Thompson-Boling Arena vs. (6) SMU's Moody Coliseum
Thompson-Boling Arena cruised past top seeded Pauley Pavilion in the Sweet 16.
Thompson-Boling Arena Opened: 1987 Cost: $40 million Capacity: 21,678 Renovation Year: 2007 Renovation Cost: $35 million Special Features: 32 new luxury suites, high-definition scoreboard, loge seating, new seats
Behind its upstart fanbase, Moody Colliseum knocked off last year's Facility Madness winner, Crisler Center, in the Sweet 16.
Moody Coliseum Opened: 1956 Cost: $2.5 million Capacity: 7,000 Renovation Year: 2013 Special Features: Expanded lobby and concourse area, club seats, loge boxes, private and group suites, new team offices, locker rooms, meeting space and "Moody Magic," the home court advantage offered by the Mustang faithful. Plus, as one reader took the time to email us, beer and wine are served during games.
{module Quarterfinals Renovated Region}
At-Large Region
(8) North Carolina's Dean Smith Center vs. (6) Arkansas' Bud Walton Arena
Perhaps the Dean Dome was deserving of a higher seed.
Dean Smith Center Opened: 1986 Construction Costs: $33.8 million Capacity: 21,750 Special Features: In recent years the "Dean Dome" has stayed up to date adding new seats, renovated offices, locker rooms and weight training areas, a new lighting and sound system and ribbon boards.
Bud Walton Arena beat out Pitt's Petersen Events Center by fewer than 50 votes.
Bud Walton Arena Opened: 1993 Construction Costs: $30 million Capacity: 19,368 Special Features: The arena is home to an Arkansas athletics museum, has 47 luxury suites, ribbon boards and an HD video scoreboard.
{module Quarterfinals At-Large Region}
Old-School Region
(4) Indiana's Assembly Hall vs. (6) Butler's Hinkle Fieldhouse
In a Sweet 16 upset, Assembly Hall garnered more votes than Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Assembly Hall Opened: 1971 Capacity: 17,472 Construction Costs: $26.6 million Special Features: A new video board was added in 2005 and by next year, Assembly Hall would qualify for our "Renovated Region," as the facility is currently undergoing a $40 million renovation to update the concourse area.
Behind an eager fanbase and a strong social media effort, Butler's Hinkle Fieldhouse has destroyed its competion through two rounds.
Hinkle Fieldhouse Opened: 1928 Capacity: 10,000 Construction Costs: $750,000 Special Features: Nothing says "old-school" like being a National Historic Landmark, which Hinkle is. {module Quarterfinals Old-School Region}
