The 9 Best College Basketball Courts According to a Flooring Pro

two people playing on basketball court

When it comes to flooring, hardwood has a way of tying together a room with elegance and style, but it’s the long-lasting durability that makes it well worth the investment. That durability is exactly why most professional and college basketball courts are made with the incredibly dense hard-maple wood found across the upper Midwest. With March Madness around the corner, we’ve put together a few of our favorite College Basketball courts from across the nation.  

1. The Fieldhouse at Grand Valley State University (Allendale, MI)

Offering one of the largest court designs in the Midwest, this court is perfect for hosting large tournaments, competitions and events. The court itself is a full-size collegiate court with a 42-foot ceiling, and its innovative design features an intricate pattern of stripes that covers the entire court.

2. The Breslin Student Events Center (East Lansing, MI)

Home to the Michigan State Spartans basketball team, this court features a unique design that combines a traditional hardwood court with color-block stripes that create a distinct visual effect. Seating for up to 15,000 spectators is available.

3. The Barn (Ames, IA)

This court is located on the Iowa State University campus and offers a unique, retro-style basketball court with a wooden roof and large windows that give it an intimate feel. The court is a full-size college court with a quality hardwood floor and seating for up to 8,000 spectators. 

4. The Phog Allen Fieldhouse (Lawrence, KS)

This iconic court is home to the Kansas Jayhawks and offers one of the most distinctive court designs in the Midwest. The court features a hardwood floor and seating for up to 16,300 spectators, and its distinctive design features a giant KU logo in the center and an old-fashioned scoreboard.

5. Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)

This court is home to the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels and features a bright and bold court design that combines traditional hardwood with a series of blue, orange and gray striping. The court is a full-size collegiate court with a hardwood floor and seating for up to 19,000 spectators.

6. The State Farm Center (Champaign, IL)

Illinois Basketball State Farm Center

This court is home to the University of Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team and features an original court design with a full-size collegiate court, a hardwood floor and seating for up to 16,000 spectators. The court also has a unique look and feel that incorporates a blue, orange and white color scheme.

7. The McCarthey Athletic Center (Spokane, WA)

This court is home to the Gonzaga Bulldogs and features an iconic court design that combines traditional hardwood with a blue and white striped pattern that creates a distinct visual effect. The court is a full-size collegiate court with a hardwood floor and seating for up to 6,000 spectators.

8. The Wintrust Arena (Chicago, IL)

Wintrust Arena, Location: Chicago, Illinois Architect: Pelli Clarke Pelli

This court is home to the DePaul Blue Demons and features a unique design that combines a traditional hardwood court with a blue, orange and white pattern that creates a distinct visual effect. The court is a full-size collegiate court with a hardwood floor and seating for up to 10,000 spectators.

9. The Assembly Hall (Bloomington, IN)

The Pacers and Spurs jump for the opening tip during a preseason NBA game on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. (James Brosher / For The Star)

This court is home to the Indiana Hoosiers and features a unique design that incorporates a modern hardwood court with a traditional white and red striped pattern. The court is a full-size collegiate court with a hardwood floor and seating for up to 17,000 spectators.

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