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Kentucky Basketball: Rupp Arena Ranked No. 4 College Venue

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 6, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats cheerleaders hold up a sign during the game against the Florida Gators in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Florida 80-61. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats cheerleaders hold up a sign during the game against the Florida Gators in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Florida 80-61. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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FanSided’s Local POV recently ranked the 50 best college sports stadiums in the United States of America. Rupp Arena checked in at No. 4.

If there’s one thing that Big Blue Nation does well, it’s relentlessly support their teams. Kentucky basketball is the biggest benefactor, with Rupp Arena being filled and flooded with rabid fans of all ages.

FanSided’s Local POV recently rewarded that unbelievable support by ranking Rupp Arena as one of the 50 best college sports stadiums in the United States of America.

Rupp Arena plays home to one of the greatest basketball programs in the history of the sport. It also plays home to one of the greatest fan bases in the history of the sport.

Per Matt Holmes of Local POV, the Wildcats have the fourth-best venue in all of college sports.

"Unlike many of the venues on this list, Rupp Arena is about basketball, not comfort. More than half the seats in the arena are bleacher-style, meaning fans are often “cheek-to-cheek” as crowds creep past capacity during big games. Also, there are no luxury boxes at Rupp Arena. The richest of boosters and the biggest of corporate CEOs get to sit out in the stands just like everyone else."

It’s certainly a special place to be.

Rupp Arena first opened in 1976. Since then, Kentucky’s men’s basketball program has won four National Championships, 10 Final Four appearances, and 16 SEC Conference Tournament championships.

It’s also won 18 SEC regular season conference championships.

Those accolades lend credence to the belief that Rupp Arena houses a consistently outstanding team. What elevates the venue itself is the fact that, when a road team comes to Lexington, fear is struck in their hearts.

The evidence: Kentucky’s all-time record of 546-64 at Rupp Arena—a win percentage of .895.

must read: Rick Pitino believes that the 1996 Kentucky Wildcats are the best of all-time

Big Blue Nation likely wants Rupp Arena to be No. 1 overall, but it certainly deserves its Top 5 ranking.

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