Indianapolis ? Lucas Oil Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 63,000 for football, just under 40,000 for hoops, has an elevated basketball court in the center of the massive facility.

“I think it’s a lot like Ford Field where we played the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight last year and hopefully where we’ll be playing next week,” Kansas’ Cole Aldrich said of the arena in Detroit where KU won two games a year ago and hopes to play in the 2009 Final Four.

“I think this is a nice building. There’s nothing wrong with it. You can’t even tell the floor is elevated when you are out there. The backdrop is fine. Detroit seemed a little more spread out. Here in Indy, it’s a warm feeling,” Aldrich added.

KU sophomore Brady Morningstar said the unusual backdrop (so much space between the goals and fans) shouldn’t bother the Jayhawks.

“It’s a beautiful place,” Morningstar said after KU’s 50-minute shootaround Thursday attended by about 1,000 KU fans. “It’s set up very well for basketball. If you are a shooter, you can shoot anywhere, in any gym. You’ve got to put the ball in the hole.”

KU coach Bill Self also likes the home of the Indianapolis Colts.

“It is a fabulous facility, as nice an arena as I’ve been in,” Self said. “I hope Detroit can be set up like this. It feels more intimate (than Ford Field felt last year).”