The state of NC hosts a first round site every year.  It rotates between Charlotte, Raleigh, Winston-Salem and Greensboro.

The state of NC hosts a first round site every year. It rotates between Charlotte, Raleigh, Winston-Salem and Greensboro.

Sorry, but that statement is not correct.

There is no "rotation" among host cities in NC or any state. Hosting sites have to be bid - that's true for all sites that want to host tournament games. Raleigh announced recently they will start organizing for first/second rounds in 2011 or 2012 - do not meet the NCAA reqs for hosting final 16 or higher. In addition, NC did not host any NCAA tournament games in 1985, 1990, 1995, 1996, 2002 and 2003.

Prior to 2004 when Raleigh hosted for the first time since 1982, it bounced between Greensboro and Winston-Salem and occassionally Charlotte (once in Chapel Hill). Charlotte began hosting more frequently after the Hornets started playing there (mid 90's) and after the final four was hosted in Charlotte in 1994.

I know it appears that NC is always hosting tournament games, but hey, this is Tobacco Road.  

The NCAA should be ashamed. Yeah, let's give UNC the possibility of four home games.

They should have just scheduled the first four rounds in Chapel Hill to save the sainted Tar Heels some gas money.

Works for me.

Sure the UCLA fans feel the same way, too.

Its all about seeding (pods) and revenue. Number one team in the nation, and number 1 seed, should be allowed to play close to home. We the fans have been supporting them all season. Nice to see them playing locally in the NCAA.

Go Heels!

This happens too often ,some times it happens because certain programs make the tourny so often, cetain confronces have facilities such as MSG, for the Big East, but the NCAA should work harder at making the schdules a little more balanced for those programs to travel as much as the other teams.

Wow Curry played the game of a lifetime last night, a loss like last night can make the Gtown crew very dangerous next year!!!!

Well the way I see it is if Puke, I mean Duke, would've played better then they would have been in Raleigh and then all the ABC fans(anybody but Carolina) wouldv'e been happy. I also feel Memphis is going down in Houston, you can not shoot 46%, like they did yesterday, from the free throw line and win a championship. I would like to see how good they were, if they played quality opponents instead of that weak conference they are in. Memphis reminds me of Hawaii's team in football. I would love to see Davidson pull off a couple more upsets next weekend. Unlikely but I would still love to see.

Hey Big T: 100% agree with you that Memphis is in trouble. The big east is poised to become one of the best all time NCAA confrences of all times. Confrence strength varies at times,even in the ACC ,UNC is the only team that will survie to the 8. Mephis played in confrence games against quite a few teams that made the tournament. There was a time in the Big east, when all the teams were top teams with great programs and the finest coaches available. I beleive the confrence is 3 teams too big, but time will tell.

Muddy,

I agree that there maybe too many teams in the Big East. What hurt Conference USA was the fact that Louisville, Marquette,Cinncinati, and South Florida left. The ACC was down this year. I think the PAC 10 was really strong. I am not saying that Carolina is going to win it all, I hope they do. The fact remains though that they have yet to struggle in their two games like UCLA, Memphis and some of the other top 1-4 seeds.

If Memphis doesnt wake up they are doomed I think the best shot at the campionship lies with the Tar Heels and the Bruins.

This happens too often ,some times it happens because certain programs make the tourny so often, cetain confronces have facilities such as MSG, for the Big East, but the NCAA should work harder at making the schdules a little more balanced for those programs to travel as much as the other teams.

I hear what you are saying, Muddy. But, lets face it, we know what is driving the locations, host sites and brackets; same reason there is not a playoff system in DIV 1 football - REVENUE the almighty $. The NCAA wants to sell tickets, host sites want full hotel rooms/restaurants/bars and both parties want fans spending lots-o-money.

This weekend in Raleigh the "conservative" estimate for generated revenue was projected at over $4M dollars for local businesses that does not include NCAA related sales - solely what local business will take in. Some local restaurants and bars expected to make close to what they make in a month this past weekend.

If the NCAA were really interested, and focused, in determining a national champion they would limit the field and go to a best of 5/7 series at neutral locations. Better yet, limit it to the conference champions like in the old days before the at large tournament bid. But there is too much $$ at stake and with everyone wanting a slice of pie don't see that happening.

I'm with you on Davidson. Amazing run. The tourney is far from perfect, but, its watching things like what Davidson is doing that make one overlook the flaws and that leads to the madness of March.

GO HEELS!!!!!!

I heard to make it more fair, that for the next 25 years the first rounds will be in Topeka, Ks., the second rounds will be in KC Kansas, then the finals will be in KC Mo.  This will serve a two fold purpose; 1.  Let North Carolina and UCLA get to ride an airplane in March.  and 2. Let people in Missouri actually see basketball in March and April.

I agree that Memphis could be in trouble with their free-throw shooting.  They can't help the weak conference schedule, though.  That's why they try to schedule such a tough non-conference schedule as they did this year.  They had the toughest non-conference schedule in the country.  They beat Oklahoma, UConn, Arizona, USC, Gonzaga, and Georgetown.  I think 10 of their 16 non-conference opponents made the tourny.  They avg 79.9 points per game and opponents avg 60.7, for a diff of about 19 ppg.  Just think how much larger of a deficit that would be if they could hit their free-throws.  

GO TIGERS!

They had the toughest non-conference schedule in the country.  

They had the toughest non-conference schedule in the country.

Laugh at ESPN, they're the ones who gave the stat.

They had the toughest non-conference schedule in the country.  

Laugh at ESPN, they're the ones who gave the stat.

I laugh at those fools every day, but that isn't a statistic.

That vaunted non-conference schedule is a joke unless you go on the road.  The Kittens lone strong non-con win was at Connecticut.

Toughest non-con schedule in the country.   ;D

Memphis and NC were the only two teams to go undefeated on the road.  Memphis went 5 or 6-0 on neutral courts.  Granted they did play most of the tougher opponents at home, but they still won.  Do i think they're the greatest in the nation?  Probably not.  I still think they're pretty darn good regardless.  3 of the "expert analysts" at ESPN has them with the no.1 Non-Conference SOS.  I guess we'll just have to sit back and watch.  Apparently some people think they're good to have them ranked where they were in the pre-season and where they've been all year.  Nobody gives em any credit, but it's all good.

UCLA sure looked good.  Collison is incredible.

My heels looked good in the first half, but, I know this is VERY far from over.  Louisville is a good group of atheletes and well coached.  It did look to me at the end of the first half that L'ville was very tired and UNC was playing "fresh".

Going to be an interesting second half.....

I'm looking forward to the 2 games tomorrow.

Texas/Memphis will be a great game.

I've got Kansas winning it all, but deep down I'm rooting for Davidson.  Curry is AMAZING.

That was scary at times......

Louisville is good.  That run they had going really had me worried.  I had to put the laptop down.  Was really worrisome, especially when the fouls started having and impact.

Good day for the heels - Mens and Womens Bball teams won over very good Lousville teams.

I have Mepmphis winning it all but I'm rooting for TEXAS!! My brackets are kinda wack. If not Texas then either Kansas or NC are my teams.

Good game NC just played. Louisville almost came back. HANSBOUGOUGH (spelling???) is a BEAST!! But he does get a few calls.... : : :

;D ;D ;D ;D MEMPHIS TIGERS!  ;D ;D ;D ;D

**** Final Four ****

8-)

Kansas pulled it out. What a season Davidson College had. 25 straight wins, first elite 8 since 1969, undefeated conference season. They also pushed a team that on paper should've blown them out of the arena, to the final seconds. Not bad for a school of only 1700 students, many of which are Rhodes scholars. Now it is UNC versus Kansas, I liked KU when Roy Williams was there. However now there is no love loss. Hopefully, Carolina will take care of business and UCLA will blow Memphis off the court. This will setup a UNC versus UCLA final with Carolina winning by 4.

Texas will eliminate Memphis in Houston at the regionals.

Well, that didn't happen either...

8-)

Roadwarrior,

I will give you that one. I will give credit where crdit is due. Memphis did make their foul shots, which is something that they have not dome most of the year. The game will probably be a close one. I just do not like Memphis, that is why I hope UCLA blows them out. I not sure why I do not like them, they are just one of those teams that I do not care for. They remind me too much of the UNLV team of the early 90's.

If Memphis hits their free throws and has a "normal" overall performance (3 pointers, strong boards and defense), they win the National Championship. That's asking a lot, especially when their shooting from the line is third worst in the nation! We'll see, they certainly stepped it up today.

8-)

If Memphis hits their free throws and has a "normal" overall performance (3 pointers, strong boards and defense), they win the National Championship. That's asking a lot, especially when their shooting from the line is third worst in the nation! We'll see, they certainly stepped it up today.

8-)

Shooting from the free throw line is imperative to winning at any level. I was watching the Phoeinx Suns play last night, during the game they showed Shaq's  foul shooting percentage fot the year and his career. For the season he was 49% and like 59% for hsi career. That is just ridiculous for a NBA player. No wonder teams have played hack-a-Shaq for his entire career. He can't beat you if he is at the free throw line.  Anyway back to the NCAA's it should be a great final four. First time in tourney history that all four #1 seeds have advanced to the final four.