UF, Arkansas best SEC hoops sites

Little wonder Auburn is building a new basketball arena.

As part of The Sun's survey of 13 writers and broadcasters who named the 75 best players in SEC history, they panelists were also asked to rank the best arenas (in terms of the building itself) and the toughest arenas for an opposing team.

The results showed Auburn has a dubious quinela — the worst arena and the easiest environment in the SEC.

Some of the latter is no doubt due to the lack of success by the Auburn basketball program, which has 34 conference losses in the last four years, and dwindling attendance.

The school announced last June that a new $92.5 million basketball facility will start construction this summer.

The best arena in the SEC according to our panel is in Fayetteville, Ark., where the Razorbacks play. Bud Walton edged out Tennessee's Thompson-Boling and Kentucky's Rupp for the top spot.

The toughest place to play, our survey says, is the O-Dome, which barely edged out Rupp for the top honor with wild and wacky Memorial Gym in Nashville finishing third.

Florida's arena finished fifth in the voting for the best facilities.

Votes were tabulated on a 12-11-10, etc. basis.

Best arenas

* 1. Bud Walton Arena (Arkansas)

* 2. Thompson-Boling Arena (Tennessee)

* 3. Rupp Arena (Kentucky)

* 4. Carolina Coliseum (South Carolina)

* 5. O'Connell Center (Florida)

* 6. Memorial Gym (Vanderbilt)

* 7. Humphrey Coliseum (Mississippi State)

* 8. Coleman Coliseum (Alabama)

* 9. Maravich Center (LSU)

* 10. Stegman Coliseum (Georgia)

* 11. Tad Smith Coliseum (Mississippi)

* 12. Beard-Eaves Coliseum (Auburn)

Toughest arenas

* 1. O'Connell Center (Florida)

* 2. Rupp Arena (Kentucky)

* 3. Memorial Gym (Vanderbilt)

* 4. Bud Walton Arena (Arkansas)

* 5. Thompson-Boling Arena (Tennessee)

* 6. Humphrey Coliseum (Mississippi State)

* 7. Tad Smith Coliseum (Mississippi)

* 8. Coleman Coliseum (Alabama)

* 9. Carolina Coliseum (South Carolina)

* 10. Maravich Center (LSU)

* 11. Stegman Coliseum (Georgia)

* 12. Beard-Eaves Coliseum (Auburn)