NCAA announcement about First Four coming Tuesday

UD hoping to secure games through 2022

The University of Dayton will find out Tuesday whether it will keep the First Four at UD Arena beyond 2018.

UD has played host to the First Four since 2011. Prior to that, the opening-round game of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, or play-in game, was played at UD Arena every season from 2001-10. Dayton sought a 10-year commitment from the NCAA in 2013, but the NCAA decided against a long-term commitment.

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Dayton won a three-year bid in 2014, keeping the games through 2018. It bid last August to host the games from 2019-22. It also bid to host games in the first and second rounds in 2021 and 2022.

Three other cities bid for the First Four. Here’s a quick glance at Dayton and its competition:

1. Dayton

Site: UD Arena

Capacity: 13,409

Tournament history: UD Arena has hosted 117 NCAA tournament games. That's more than any other arena in the country.

2. Evansville

Site: Ford Center

Capacity: 11,000

Tournament history: The arena opened in 2011 and hosted the NCAA Division II championship in 2014 and 2015.

3. Detroit

Site: The Palace of Auburn Hills

Capacity: 19,971

Tournament history: The Palace was the site of first- and second-round games in 1997, 2000 and 2013. It hosted regional games in 2003.

4. Hershey, Pa

Site: Giant Center

Capacity: 10,500

Tournament history: The arena opened in 2002. It has never hosted NCAA tournament games.

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