Fansided

15 best home-court advantages in college basketball

By Mike Phillips

EAST LANSING, MI - MARCH 09: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans kisses the logo after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 75-63 at Breslin Center on March 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - MARCH 09: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans kisses the logo after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 75-63 at Breslin Center on March 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WISCONSIN – MARCH 02: Ethan Happ #22 and Khalil Iverson #21 of the Wisconsin Badgers react to a turnover by the Penn State Nittany Lions during a game at Kohl Center on March 02, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – MARCH 02: Ethan Happ #22 and Khalil Iverson #21 of the Wisconsin Badgers react to a turnover by the Penn State Nittany Lions during a game at Kohl Center on March 02, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

8. Wisconsin

  • Venue: Kohl Center
  • Location: Madison, WI
  • Opened: 1/17/88
  • Capacity: 17,230
  • Home Record Since 2000: 262-38 (.873 Winning Percentage)

Of all the arenas on this list, none is used more frequently over the past two decades than the Kohl Center. Since the year 2000, Wisconsin has hosted 300 games at the Kohl Center, winning just over 87% of those contests.

The arena was built in the late ’90s and was named for former U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, the former owner of the Milwaukee Bucks. Kohl donated $25 million to help fund the construction of the arena, which has become an iconic venue in the Big Ten.

A big part of why this building is so tough to play in comes from the passionate Wisconsin fans, who create one of the most intimidating student sections in the country. Many Big Ten opponents have come into the Kohl Center in need of a victory over the years only to walk out with their tails tucked between their legs in disappointment.

Having as many home games as Wisconsin does is a tremendous boost to building that home court advantage. The Badgers have plenty of opportunities to pick up wins in front of their home fans, whipping the crowd into a frenzy that can make life tough on opposing players and coaches.