March Madness is coming back to Pittsburgh. Duquesne athletics announced this afternoon that the University has been selected to host the first two rounds of the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship tournament at PPG Paints Arena.
This will mark the seventh time Duquesne has served as a host venue for the tournament with last time being 2018. The teams that competed included National Champion Villanova, along with multiple first round picks: Marvin Bagley, Duke (2nd), Trae Young, Oklahoma (5th), Wendell Carter, Duke (7th), Collin Sexton, Alabama (8th) and Mikal Bridges, Villanova (10th).
"Duquesne Athletics is proud and honored to once again serve as host for the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship," Duquesne Director of Athletics Dave Harper said. "This would not be possible without the strong partnership between Visit and SportsPITTSBURGH and PPG Paints Arena. We are truly blessed to work with all the entities involved."
The announcement comes via the NCAA's unveiling of championship sites for the 2022-23 through 2025-26 bid cycle. Duquesne and SportsPITTSBURGH were also selected to host the NCAA Woman's Bowling Regionals from 2023 through 2026. Those contests will take place at AMF Lanes in Mt. Lebanon.
Additionally, the UPMC Chuck Cooper Field House will serve as the venue for the 2022 Division III Woman's Volleyball Championship (hosted by St. Vincent), the 2025 Division II Woman's Basketball quarterfinals or Elite Eight and inaugural Division II Men's and Woman's Basketball festival in 2026 (both hosted by Clarion).
"Hosting multiple bowling regionals will provide another chance to showcase the Pittsburgh region," Harper said. "The opportunity to welcome the Division III Woman's Volleyball Championship and Division II Men's and Woman's Basketball Championship events to our UPMC Cooper Field House will enable the University to showcase this new facility on a national level. We are extremely proud to host multiple championships for the NCAA."