Sports

March Madness In Pittsburgh: NCAA Tournament Returning To City

For the first time in four years, Pittsburgh will be a host city for the opening rounds of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

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Gonzaga forward Drew Timme drives to the basket between Saint Mary's forward Matthias Tass, bottom, forward Kyle Bowen (14) and guard Alex Ducas (44) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Moraga, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022.
Gonzaga forward Drew Timme drives to the basket between Saint Mary's forward Matthias Tass, bottom, forward Kyle Bowen (14) and guard Alex Ducas (44) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Moraga, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

PITTSBURGH, PA — The good news for local basketball fans is that the NCCA men's basketball tournament is returning to Pittsburgh this year for the first time since 2018. The bad news is there will be no local team playing, as Pitt, Robert Morris and Duquesne all are having subpar seasons.

PPG Paints Arena will be one of eight site to host first- and second-round games. The teams headed there won't be known until the Selection Sunday broadcast on March 13 at 6 p.m. on CBS.

Duquesne is the local host university for the event.

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The first four play-in tournament will be held in Dayton, Ohio on March 15 and 16. The first-round games in Pittsburgh will be played on March 18, while the second-round games will occur on March 20. Times will be announced later; plenty of tickets are available on ticketmaster.

Other sites hosting first- and second-round games are:
  • KeyBank Center in Buffalo,NY.
  • Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN.
  • Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX.
  • Moda Center in Portland, OR.
  • Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC.
  • Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI.
  • Viejas Arena in San Diego,CA.

The Final Four occurs April 2 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The national championship game will be played there on April 4.

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