National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- May 24, 1999

Men's basketball panel seeks exchange of early round sites

The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee has recommended to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet that Kansas City, Missouri, and Oklahoma City switch years in which each city will host first/second rounds of future NCAA basketball championships.

The recommendation was developed during the committee's May 5-6 meeting in Indianapolis.

If the cabinet approves the switch, Kansas City will host first/second rounds of the Midwest region at Kemper Arena in 2001, and Oklahoma City will host first/second rounds of the Midwest region in 2002.

Oklahoma City originally was scheduled to host a session of the 2001 tournament at The Myriad; Kansas City was scheduled to host in 2002.

The University of Oklahoma, the host institution in Oklahoma City, requested the exchange because the new arena being built in that city is scheduled to open in time to host NCAA postseason action in March 2002.

The Championships/Competition Cabinet will act on the basketball committee's recommendation at its July 6-8 meeting.

In other actions, the committee:

  • Voted to adjust the media interview schedules on Friday and Sunday of Final Four weekend.

  • Approved procedural changes in the operation of media hospitality rooms at headquarters hotels.

  • Reviewed logistical issues related to the championship with the Board of Directors of the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

  • Approved minor changes to procedures related to the administering of the championship.