Welsh-Ryan Arena Highlights

Jerry Marifke ’79 drives past Michigan State’s Mike Brkovich.

Welsh-Ryan Arena, which opened as McGaw Memorial Hall in 1952, is scheduled for a complete renovation in 2017–18. Here’s a look back at some of the top games on the Wildcats’ home court.

Men: March 5, 1956 – Northwestern 83, No. 2 Illinois 82

The biggest upset in school history, the Wildcats entered the regular-season finale with a 1-20 record but upended their rival.

Women: Jan. 22, 1976 – Northwestern 68, DePaul 45

In its first full season of varsity hoops, Northwestern defeated local rival DePaul in the program’s first game at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Men: Jan. 27, 1979 – Northwestern 83, No. 4 Michigan State 65

On paper, Northwestern had no business matching up with the eventual national champs. Good thing basketball isn’t played on paper.

Women: Jan. 14, 2016 – Northwestern 86, No. 5 Ohio State 82

Head coach Joe McKeown earned his first win over a top five opponent at Northwestern and the program’s first such win since 1996.