Has okc put in a bid to host NCAA men's regional final?

[coov23]

Memphis hosted the sweet 16 and elite 8 during Blake's last year at OU. I was there. The arenas are comparable and surrounding bars and restaurants are too. Don't see why okc couldn't host that event. Perfect for our market. Would draw very well too.

[Andrew4OU]

And don't forget, OKC has hosted two women's regional finals in the past and will host one next week. Both were the highest attended regional both years. I'm sure it won't be any different next week.

[Richard at Remax]

Even though I don't care for women's sports I wouldn't be surprised if okc hosted the women's final four within the next 10years. We've always treated women's college sports very well here

[onthestrip]

Okc has hosted several first and second round regionals in the past. The last one was when bucknell (I think) upset Kansas, maybe 2008..? It seems about time for us to host another

And too lazy to look up but I think we are hosting the regional finals for women hoops this year.

[Jake]

I remember when Valparaiso upset Ole Miss on a last second shot in 1998. That was in OKC.

[Soonerman]

Okc has hosted several first and second round regionals in the past. The last one was when bucknell (I think) upset Kansas, maybe 2008..? It seems about time for us to host another

And too lazy to look up but I think we are hosting the regional finals for women hoops this year.

Northern Iowa beat Kansas in OKC I believe in 2010. Kansas doesn't like playing in OKC because it seems they get upset every time there.

[john60]

3 of 4 2014 regionals are in arenas, too (Memphis, Anaheim, and New York). Only Indy is in a dome. I would also think that with all the new hotels going up, we will meet any minimum hotel room requirement the NCAA may have.

[OKCisOK4me]

Northern Iowa beat Kansas in OKC I believe in 2010. Kansas doesn't like playing in OKC because it seems they get upset every time there.

Pretty sure it was Northern Illinois cause I remember the mascot...the Salukis.

[JayhawkTransplant]

It was indeed 2010, and KU lost in the second round to Northern Iowa.

This topic is of particular interest to me. As a huge college basketball fan, I would love to see more NCAA tournament games in OKC. I must admit, though, the set-up in other cities is a bit better. I am in Kansas City right now for the tournament. The Sprint Center/Power and Light District is a much nicer setup for this type if event, in my opinion, because you walk right outside the building and there are 20+ bars and restaurants right there. All interconnected. Since the NCAA does not allow...fun beverages...in the arena, the quick availability of them is very nice. As soon as you walk out of the Sprint Center, it is blatantly obvious where food/beverages/entertainment is. In OKC, you walk out of the arena, and you have to know a little bit about the area to get to what you are looking for. It's not a huge deal, but not quite as sweet a setup, especially in the crummy weather.

[OKCisOK4me]

Who knows why I thought it was Northern/Southern Illinois.

I have a friend that lived in KC for a minute and he'd go to the P&LD on regular occasions when there weren't any events. He compared it to a one Crossroads Mall, when it was subject to violence.

[BlackmoreRulz]

Kinda off topic but OKC will be hosting the 2014 NCAA Wrestling Championship. A three day event that sells out every year, one of a very few championships that turn a profit for the NCAA

[onthestrip]

2005 was the other year we hosted the first and second round regionals. It was a year after OSUs final four run and they were seeded high enough to play in the Ford Center. It was quite unfair for the other teams really as it was nearly all orange. OSU advanced to sweet 16 with a win over S. Illinois I think (who happen to be the Salukis, not N Illinois). I think 2005 and 2010 are the only times its been at CHK Arena, the previous was the Valpo upset at the Myriad, as mentioned above.

And next weekend CHK Arena will host the womens regional final. If OU upsets UCLA they will be playing there.

Another mens regional would be great but Id also like to see us host a mens big 12 tournament again. However, the conference seems intent on keeping it in KC.

[Bellaboo]

It was indeed 2010, and KU lost in the second round to Northern Iowa.

This topic is of particular interest to me. As a huge college basketball fan, I would love to see more NCAA tournament games in OKC. I must admit, though, the set-up in other cities is a bit better. I am in Kansas City right now for the tournament. The Sprint Center/Power and Light District is a much nicer setup for this type if event, in my opinion, because you walk right outside the building and there are 20+ bars and restaurants right there. All interconnected. Since the NCAA does not allow...fun beverages...in the arena, the quick availability of them is very nice. As soon as you walk out of the Sprint Center, it is blatantly obvious where food/beverages/entertainment is. In OKC, you walk out of the arena, and you have to know a little bit about the area to get to what you are looking for. It's not a huge deal, but not quite as sweet a setup, especially in the crummy weather.

It's a little crummy in OKC outside today, but 9 out of 10 times this time of year, OKC will have better weather than KC.

[coov23]

2005 was the other year we hosted the first and second round regionals. It was a year after OSUs final four run and they were seeded high enough to play in the Ford Center. It was quite unfair for the other teams really as it was nearly all orange. OSU advanced to sweet 16 with a win over S. Illinois I think (who happen to be the Salukis, not N Illinois). I think 2005 and 2010 are the only times its been at CHK Arena, the previous was the Valpo upset at the Myriad, as mentioned above.

And next weekend CHK Arena will host the womens regional final. If OU upsets UCLA they will be playing there.

Another mens regional would be great but Id also like to see us host a mens big 12 tournament again. However, the conference seems intent on keeping it in KC.

Yes, because that big sign over the train tracks, that says Bricktown, throws people for a loop. Add all of the new hotels and shopping going in the east side of Bricktown and you have Midtown and Deep Deuce all right there as well.

[onthestrip]

[/B]

It's a little crummy in OKC outside today, but 9 out of 10 times this time of year, OKC will have better weather than KC.

Ya it's not too pleasant in okc today but in KC, where KU and UNC are playing today has a half foot of snow on the ground.

[OKCDrummer77]

We hosted 1st & 2nd round games in 2003. My wife and I got to go to the Thursday night session. We watched (10) Arizona State upset (7) Memphis in the first game. In the second game, Nick Collison and (2) Kansas survived (15) Utah State. That was the year that KU lost to Melo's Syracuse in the final game.

[Zuplar]

I remember when Valparaiso upset Ole Miss on a last second shot in 1998. That was in OKC.

They were showing clips of some big upsets the other day on TV and this one was on there.