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Utah has been selected to host NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament games in 2013.
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Sept. 21, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The University of Utah has been named a host institution for the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball First and Second Rounds, the Division I Men's Basketball Committee announced Monday. The 2013 NCAA First and Second Rounds will mark the 18th time Utah has served as an NCAA Tournament host.
"We are very excited that the NCAA has selected Utah as a first and second round host in 2013," said Utah Director of Athletics, Dr. Chris Hill. "Given the increasing interest from other prominent cities and universities nationwide, it is a real credit to the University of Utah, to the city and to our staff, that we were selected to host this great event."
The 2013 games will be played at Energy Solutions Arena in downtown Salt Lake City. Though the games will not be held on Utah's home court, it stands to note that the Jon M. Huntsman Center ranks third among the nation's arenas for most NCAA Tournament basketball games hosted, with 81 contests over 40 sessions played there from 1971-2006.
In honor of the 75th anniversary of the championship, the tournament sites selected for 2013 include seven of the top nine cities for most tournament games hosted all time. Also factored in were venues and cities that have served as the backdrop to great tournament moments, including the 1979 "Dream Match-Up" featuring Indiana State's Larry Bird and Michigan State's Magic Johnson in the Huntsman Center.
Along with Salt Lake City, Auburn Hills, Mich., Austin, Texas, Dayton, Ohio, Kansas City, Mo., Lexington, Ky., Philadelphia and San Jose, Calif. were selected to host first-and second-rounds in 2013. Indianapolis, Los Angeles and North Texas were chosen for the regional rounds.
