April 1, 2009 – College basketball fans have chosen North Carolina 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 online poll asking fans to choose the “Toughest Places to Play” in College basketball. North Carolina was chosen No. 1 ahead of Clemson, Xavier, Pittsburgh and Duke.  

“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

NCAA® Basketball 09: March Madness® Edition is currently available exclusively for the Xbox 360® for 1200 Microsoft points ($15.00). Fans are able to replicate the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship bracket and play with all the schools in NCAA March Madness®.  NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition was developed at EA Canada in Burnaby, B.C. The game is rated “E” for everyone by the ESRB.

Take a look at the tour, some of the campuses, and commentary at the Toughest Places to Play page.