Austin gets set to host NCAA second and third round games

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The University of Texas and the Erwin Center will host second and third round NCAA tournament games this Friday and Sunday.

Eight teams from across the country will take part in the regional, four each from the East and South regions.

Out of the East Region, ACC regular season and tournament champion, No. 2 Miami (27-6), will square off against No. 15 Pacific (22-12) in the first game of the day. Tipoff is set for 1:10 p.m.  Pacific was an automatic qualifier after winning the Big West tournament.

No. 7 Illinois (22-12) will play No. 10 Colorado (21-11) approximately 30 minutes following the first game. The Illini and Buffaloes each received at-large bids.

Getting into the games
All-session tickets are priced at $180 and $225.

Tickets can be purchased online or by
calling (800) 982-2386

The evening session includes teams from the South Region. Third-seeded Florida (26-7), the regular season SEC champion, will matchup against No. 14 Northwestern State (23-8) at 6:27 p.m. The Demons reached the NCAA tournament after winning the Southland tournament title.

The Pac-12 regular season champion, sixth-seeded UCLA (25-9), and No. 11 Minnesota (20-12) will play in Friday’s finale.

Tipoff times for Sunday’s third round games will be announced following Friday’s games. The winners from Sunday’s games will advance to Washington, D.C. (East Region) and Arlington, Texas (South Region).

This year’s Final Four will take place at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Prior to Friday’s games, each team will hold an open practice session on Thursday that is free and open to the public. The first practice begins at noon and each will last 40 minutes. Doors to the Erwin Center will open at 11 a.m.

Noon-12:40 p.m. - Pacific
12:45-1:25 p.m. - Colorado
1:30-2:10 p.m. - Miami
2:15-2:55 p.m. - Illinois
4:25-5:05 p.m. - Florida
5:10-5:50 p.m. - UCLA
5:55-6:35 p.m. - Northwestern State
6:40-7:20 p.m. - Minnesota