SEATTLE — It’s the calm before the March Madness in Seattle, as the University of Washington and Climate Pledge Arena prepare to host 8 NCAA Division I Men’s basketball teams this week.
The road to the Final Four passes through the Emerald City, with the four first-round games tipping off on Friday at Climate Pledge Arena:
11 a.m. University of Memphis vs. Colorado State University1:35 p.m. Grand Canyon University vs. University of Maryland4:35 p.m. Arizona vs. University of Akron7:10 p.m. Oregon vs. Liberty University
The teams that win the first two games on Friday will hit the hardwood on Sunday for the second round.
Some fans are arriving ahead of tip-off to explore the 206.
“Looking forward to being here on Friday afternoon, taking in the city,” said Anne Bruno, an Akron resident.
It’s been a decade since UW hosted NCAA tournament games, when the Huskies hosted the second and third rounds of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship games at Key Arena in 2015.
First-round team practices are free and open to the public on Thursday, Mar. 20.
Open practice schedule:
11:00 AM – 11:40 AM: #12 Colorado State11:45 AM – 12:25 PM: #5 Memphis12:30 PM – 1:10 PM: #13 Grand Canyon1:15 PM – 1:55 PM: #5 Maryland2:00 PM – 2:40 PM: #13 Akron2:45 PM – 3:25 PM: #4 Arizona3:30 PM – 4:10 PM: #12 Liberty4:15 PM – 4:55 PM: #5 Oregon