BWA ranked in top 10 in EA SPORTS poll

Arkansas’ Bud Walton Arena has finished in the top 10 in an EA Sports fan vote of the toughest places to play in the nation.

Fans chose North Carolina as the “Toughest Place to Play” in college basketball, earning the Tar Heels and the Dean E. Smith Center the spotlight in an upcoming feature in the EA SPORTS videogame NCAA Basketball 10, which will be available next fall.

EA SPORTS received over 200,000 votes in an on-line poll asking fans to choose the “Toughest Places to Play” in college basketball. North Carolina was chosen No. 1 ahead of Clemson, Xavier, Pittsburgh, Duke, Kansas, Louisville, Syracuse, Tennessee and Arkansas. Among the top 15, Arkansas finished in front of Maryland, Illinois, UCLA, Florida and Texas.

“College basketball fans have spoken and they have determined once and for all the most difficult places to play in college basketball,” said NCAA Basketball 10 Producer Connor Dougan. “Now we are going to design a feature that authentically reflects how difficult it is for opposing teams to play and win at these venues.”

According to fan balloting the 15 “Toughest Places to Play” in college basketball are:

1. North Carolina

2. Clemson

3. Xavier

4. Pittsburgh

5. Duke

6. Kansas

7. Louisville

8. Syracuse

9. Tennessee

10. Arkansas

11. Maryland

12. Illinois

13. UCLA

14. Florida

15. Texas