2020 First Four: The Road Begins Here
Happy March guys and gals! It’s Mark Darden with a new blog post. It's officially the month of March which means that March Madness is upon us. 68 of the best Division 1 men's college basketball teams will compete in a single-elimination tournament to determine a national champion. There will be drama, suspense, and a few upsets on the road to the Final Four in Atlanta. Before the journey ends in Atlanta, however, let's take a look at where the journey begins during the First Four in Dayton, Ohio.
History of the First Four
The predecessor to the First Four was an Opening Round game where the two lowest-seeded teams would play from 2001 - 2010. In 2011, the field of 65 teams grew to 68, necessitating the need for four opening round games. While the road to the Final Four is certainly tougher beginning in opening round games, one team has managed to make it to the Final Four. In 2011, the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams made it all the way to the Final Four before falling to Butler in the national semifinal game. As of 2020, VCU is the only team to make to Final Four from the First Four. 2020 will be 10th anniversary of the First Four under the current format.
When is the First Four?
The 2020 First Four will take place on Tuesday, March 17th and Wednesday, March 18th.
Where is the First Four?
The First Four will take place at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio. Considered one of the premier college basketball venues in the nation, UD Arena has a seating capacity of 13,407. The arena had a three-year, $72 million renovation that was completed in 2019, just in time for the 50th anniversary of its opening.
What to do in Dayton, Ohio?
While the world knows that Dayton is the place where the road to the Final Four begins, what maybe a lesser known fact is that Dayton has a rich aviation history. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum. You can find aircraft from World War II such as the Memphis Belle, a Space Shuttle Trainer, and 9 Presidential Aircrafts.
The Big Hoopla Family Festival will take place on Sunday, March 15 in the Oregon Business District. The family-friendly festival will include a tented area where you can keep up with up with the basketball tournaments throughout the country, a half court where you can practice your shot, and food and beverage vendors along Fifth Street.
