Albany to host men's basketball tourney games in 2020

Amalie Arena will host first- and second-round games on March 19 and 21, the NCAA announced Tuesday.

"These championships will highlight what a world-class venue the Times Union Center is and provide a significant boost to the local economy", Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said in a news release. "We look forward to hosting a first-class event in 2022".

The Wells Fargo Center continues to prove to be a destination for big-time sporting events as this marks the ninth time since 2000 that the NCAA will bring an event to the Wells Fargo Center, including the third Men's Basketball East Regional. We have an outstanding history with the NCAA and we're excited that we'll be able to continue creating memories for the student athletes, their fans and the city of Philadelphia.

"I think really you're only good as your last event", Higgins said.

At long last, the men's NCAA Tournament is coming to South Carolina's Colonial Life Arena.

Other championships awarded to St. Louis included the 2020 NCAA Division II Spring Festival, which includes men's golf, women's golf, men's tennis, women's tennis, softball and women's lacrosse; the 2020 Division III men's and women's tennis finals; the 2021 Division III women's volleyball tournament; 2022 Division II Wrestling and 2022 Division II women's lacrosse.

The real prize is the first and second rounds of the men's basketball tournament, which will visit Columbia for the first time in 2019, and return to Greenville in 2022.

Iowa and Iowa State were selected as host for future NCAA events as well. Also in 2018, the region hosts the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament, SEC Men's Basketball Tournament, SEC Gymnastics Championships, and the PGA Championship.