The 2025-26 men’s college basketball season begins soon, so here are the top 10 college towns:
1. Wisconsin — Madison, Wis.
I’m biased because I went there, but it remains my favorite, with places to eat on State Street, up to the Capitol, and scenic runs along Lake Mendota and Monona.
Prime destinations 📍@TheAndyKatz names the top 10 college towns in the nation 🧭 pic.twitter.com/zaQHAYHNyr
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) October 6, 2025
2. Texas — Austin, Texas
The music scene, the food, and the overall vibe make this my favorite stop in Texas.
3. Florida — Gainesville, Fla.
The weather rocks. The atmosphere is always top-notch, and the team is now the reigning champs.
4. Arizona — Tucson, Ariz.
There’s so much to like: the weather, hiking in the mountains, the food, and McKale is one of the best arenas.
🏟️ MORE KATZ RANKS: Top 10 men’s college basketball arenas
5. North Carolina — Chapel Hill, N.C.
Franklin Street has the restaurants and the walkability. This is still the best of the three spots, with Durham and Raleigh nearby. Chapel Hill rarely disappoints.
6. Michigan — Ann Arbor, Mich.
Great university town with high-level food, a walkable downtown, and culture.
7. Kansas — Lawrence, Kan.
Quality food, vibrancy of Massachusetts Street, and the historic Allen Fieldhouse make this a must-stop
8. Indiana — Bloomington, Ind.
The Hoosier hospitality comes through in Bloomington, with a quality arts and cultural scene to go with a passionate fan base.
📣 TEAM SPIRIT: The top 10 student sections in men’s college basketball
9. Tennessee — Knoxville, Tenn.
The Tennessee River, the nearby mountains, the food and walkability make this a quality spot.
10. Boise State — Boise, Idaho
The mountains, lively downtown, community atmosphere and passionate fans make this college spot a hidden gem.
Andy Katz is an NCAA.com correspondent. Katz worked at ESPN for 18 years as a college basketball reporter, host and anchor. He’s covered every Final Four since 1992, and the sport since 1986 as a freshman at Wisconsin. He is a former president of the United States Basketball Writers Association. Katz can also be seen covering college basketball on Big Ten Network during the regular season. Follow him on Twitter at @theandykatz.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions.
