It has now been 15 years since McKale Center played host to first- and second-round NCAA Tournament games. It was a good run.
From 1975-2011, McKale was the site of 59 NCAA Tournament games. Remember? It even included a 1987 Arizona-UTEP first-round game, won by the Miners in overtime 98-91.
Tucson remains sixth in NCAA Tournament history, having staged 59 games, including UCLA's John Wooden and Bill Walton. But since former UA coach Sean Miller successfully persuaded ex-athletic director Greg Byrne to cease being a tournament host, West Region games have moved mostly to San Diego State's Viejas Arena and to locations in Portland, San Jose, Spokane and Boise. Next year's Western sites are Spokane and Sacramento.
Miller argued that Arizona was at a competitive disadvantage on years games were played at McKale, insisting that meant fewer UA fans would travel to the Wildcats' first- and second-round sites.
People are also reading…
Here's the list of arenas used most for NCAA tournament games:
– 83: Municipal Arena, Kansas City, 1941-84
– 81: Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, 1971-2006
– 80: Madison Square Garden, 1943-2023
– 69: Greensboro Coliseum, N.C., 1974-2023
– 60: RCA Dome, Indianapolis, 1987-2006
Ramone Moore, of Temple, jumps for a basket as Malcolm Thomas, of San Diego State, lower left, watches in the first half during the third round of the NCAA Tournament at McKale Center, March 19, 2011.
– 59: McKale Center, 1974-2011
– 54: Rupp Arena, Kentucky, 1977-2005
– 53: Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, 1977-1992
– 50: Charlotte Coliseum, N.C., 1988-2022
Arizona basketball fans weigh in on deal with Alkeme for naming rights to McKale Center
