NCAA Basketball: 30 best arena atmospheres in college hoops

CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 20: North Carolina Tar Heels fans storm the court after a win over the Duke Blue Devils during their game at the Dean Smith Center on February 20, 2014 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 74-66. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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MADISON, WI – FEBRUARY 04: A general view of the Kohl Center. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

14. Wisconsin Badgers

Location: Kohl Center (17,230) in Madison, WI

Wisconsin basketball has, without a doubt, been one of the best NCAA basketball programs of the century to this point. Even with a down season in 2017-18, the program has been remarkably consistent for years and two Final Four appearances speak for themselves. When it comes to home atmospheres, the Badgers also have one of the best.

The Kohl Center is one of the larger arenas in the sport, holding over 17,000 people at max capacity, and is home to the “Grateful Red.” During the Bo Ryan era as head coach (14 complete seasons during the 21st century), the program boasted a ridiculous 210-22 (.905) record that featured 35 wins over top-25 opponents in 48 attempts. That is an elite home crowd.

The Badgers have been extremely successful overall in recent years but their home prowess trumps most other schools in the country. In addition, the gameday atmosphere of at the Kohl Center in one of the best college towns in America is hard to top. UW-Madison alumnus and Cream City Central writer Alexander Juneau had this to say about the atmosphere for a Badgers’ home game:

"“The Kohl Center is a unique experience in college basketball, Wisconsin sports fans have a reputation for their knowledgeable fanbase and Wisconsin basketball is no different. Deafening in crunch time when the opponent is running their offense, and silent when the Badgers work their sets. The Kohl Center will be packed whether it is Duke or Western Kentucky on the docket for the evening.”"

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