Detroit bids for future NCAA Basketball Regional at the Pizzarena

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

So this is an old article but I didn't see it posted.

Being that next year the Pizzarena will be opening up and hosting the First and Second Rounds for a Friday/Sunday set, I figure I'd post this.

Detroit sent out a bid to the NCAA for a TON of hosting bids.

And being that NCAA loves shiny new arenas, I'm thinking they're gonna at least get one Regional, if not additional First & Second Rounds. If places like Spokane, Indy, Lexington etc always seem to pop up in the mix, why wouldn't a brand-new NBA/NHL arena?

Here are the bids for Division I NCAA events they bid for-

  • First/Second Rounds: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
  • Sweet Sixteen/Elite Eight: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
  • NCAA Hockey Frozen Four: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
  • NCAA Wrestling Championship: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

Detroit has only hosted two NCAA Basketball Tournament events.

The 2008 Midwest Regional and 2009 Final Four, both at Ford Field. Never at an arena in the city. 

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/2016/08/15/little-caesars-are…

 

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rob f

March 17th, 2017 at 11:38 PM ^

Is that your own personal nickname for Little Caesars Arena? I don't care for it being called "Little Caesars". I'd rather it be named directly after Mike Ilitch or have his name included in the arena's name---Mister I deserves such an honor---but hell no to "Pizzarena"!

Joined: 11/11/2010

MGoPoints: 194246

BlueinLansing

March 17th, 2017 at 9:39 PM ^

hosted the Midwest Regional Semi's in1988.  That was the year Kansas and the fighting Danny Mannings won the title.  Four teams there were Kansas, Purdue, Vanderbilt and Kansas State.

We were treated to an all Kansas QF game.  Crowds over 30,000 both days, pretty fun weekend.

 

 

Joined: 09/01/2009

MGoPoints: 23520

The Fan in Fargo

March 17th, 2017 at 9:50 PM ^

Cant wait to see the reactions from teams in the south and west when the stands are full of Michigan fans and they are dominating. Watch the hipocrits and jackasses come out of the wood work.

Joined: 09/04/2016

MGoPoints: 1877

snarling wolverine

March 17th, 2017 at 10:18 PM ^

Detroit has only hosted two NCAA Basketball Tournament events.

That's misleading - the region has hosted a bunch of them, just outside the city limits most of the time, since that's where the area's best basketball arena is.  That will change with the new venue.

Joined: 12/14/2011

MGoPoints: 98328

rob f

March 17th, 2017 at 11:23 PM ^

it's Metro Detroit. Or Suburban Detroit. Doesn't matter whether or not it's in Wayne County. Although I disagree with a few minor points in the following write-up that tries to define Detroit/Metro Detroit, the author of this pretty much gets it right: https://www.google.com/amp/jalopnik.com/the-difference-between-detroit-…

Joined: 11/11/2010

MGoPoints: 194246

stephenrjking

March 17th, 2017 at 11:32 PM ^

It's the local area and you are incredibly wrong here. This is like arguing that Duke and UNC don't benefit from local games when they play (as they regularly do) in first weekend Tournament games in Raleigh, since they are in neither Durham nor Chapel Hill. It's not in the city proper, but Detroit in particular has never strictly defined its events by presence in the city limits. It's a suburban market, for better or for worse. The new arena does make for a more attractive location, since there is a lot in the nearby area. And, of course, the Frozen Four can finally be held in a real arena in Detroit.

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143524

TB12

March 18th, 2017 at 2:51 AM ^

Seriously though, it will be nice to have these games in the city of Detroit. If you don't live in Oakland or Macomb, the Palace is not exactly within driving distance. It takes me almost an hour to get from Trenton to Auburn Hills. Can't wait for the LCA to open up so I can finally watch some more NBA games.

Joined: 01/25/2017

MGoPoints: 575

Charlestown Chiefs

March 18th, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^

NCAA DIVISION I MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
MARCH 16 & 18, 2018 - LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
Special Presale Opportunity
Now - Wednesday, May 31
NCAA® March Madness is coming to Detroit! Share The Experience™ at the 2018 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship First/Second Rounds, March 16 & 18, 2018, at Little Caesars Arena, hosted by the University of Detroit, Mercy. This is your exclusive opportunity to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public.

As a Detroit Red Wings Key Stakeholder, you may purchase tickets beginning Monday, March 6, 2017 at 10 a.m. EST and this exclusive offer will end Wednesday, May 31, 2017, or until all remaining tickets have been purchased, whichever comes first. Any remaining tickets will be made available for sale to the general public.

 

Joined: 12/04/2011

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