A founding member of the Big Ten Conference, the Northwestern Wildcats is a part of the NCAA’s Division I. Representing the Northwestern University, the Wildcats comprise of nineteen varsity teams including eleven women’s and eight men’s teams. The team has produced numerous celebrated players of various sports such as Jason Wright, Steve Tasker, Nick Roach, Todd Martin, John Kidd, Noah Herron and Sybil Bauer. This season, the men’s basketball team will be storming the courts in traditional purple and white colors to take on the rivals Wisconsin Badgers at Badgers’ home, the Kohl Center.
Wildcats Men’s Basketball
The Wildcats men’s basketball team was formed in 1901. The team was initially a part of the Western Conference and later switched to the Big Ten Conference in 1953. Since then, the Wildcats have bagged only one ‘National Championship’ (1931) and two ‘Conference Championships’ (1931, 1933). Currently, the Wildcats play home games at the Welsh-Ryan Arena that has a capacity to house over eight thousand people for basketball matches. The team is currently led by Head Coach Chris Collins.
Home Arena
Opened in 1952, the Welsh-Ryan Arena was initially known as the McGraw Memorial Hall. The multipurpose arena was constructed with an estimated cost of eleven million dollars. The venue was renovated in 1983 and now comprises of a hardwood surface. Other than basketball games, the venue also hosts wrestling matches and volleyball games.
The Badgers
The Northwestern Wildcats will be taking on the Wisconsin Badgers this coming season. Another Division I Big Ten Conference team, the Badgers has won three ‘Helms Championships’ and one ‘NCAA Tournament Championship’. The team has also bagged two ‘Conference Championships’ and has landed amongst the ‘NCAA Tournament Final Four’ twice.
The Venue
Both the varsity teams will face-off each other at the Kohl Center, located at the University of Wisconsin. With a construction cost of hundred and nine million dollars, the Kohl Center opened in 1998. Since then, the facility has hosted basketball as well as ice hockey matches. Apart from Badgers men’s basketball, the venue is currently home to the Badgers women’s hockey, Badgers men’s hockey and Badgers women’s basketball teams. The facility is named after Senator Herb Kohl, who donated twenty-five million dollars to build the venue.
The Live Event
The upcoming game will offer the fans of both the teams an exciting sports experience. Both highly competitive teams are expected to indulge in a thrilling event that will leave the audiences glued to the courts. The fans will be on a lookout for Northwestern Wildcats tickets this season. So make sure to be a part of this edge of the seat matchup between two college basketball giants.