NCAA Men's Tournament 2009 Schedule

It's time for The Big Dance to begin and the next nineteen (19) days, also known as March Madness, will determine the 2009 NCAA National Champion. The phrase "March Madness" was first used by Henry V. Porter back in 1939 as he was describing an Illinois high school basketball tournament. Then, as the story goes, in 1982 Brent Musburger used it again during the NCAA coverage which stirred up a huge legal battle that was almost as exciting as the championships themselves that year. Eventually it all got worked out and "March Madness" was deemed legal and official. Today it has become an annual obsession that is infectious for everyone.

Everything begins on March 15th, 2009 when the top 65 teams are selected and bracketed by the selection committee made up of one Conference Commissioner and nine Athletic Directors.

To help you keep up with all of the NCAA Men's Tournament action here is the schedule of play for the next nineteen days:

Selection Sunday
March 15, 2009

Opening-Round Game
March 17, 2009
UD Arena in Dayton, OH

First Two Rounds
The first two rounds of play take place in eight cities across the country over the course of March 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd. There are eight games on the 19th and 20th, and four games on the 21st and 22nd as follows:

Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC
First Round: 3-19-2009
Session 1 - Thursday 12:10 AM
Session 2 - Thursday 7:10 PM
Second Round: 3-21-2009
Saturday 1:00 PM

Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO
First Round: 3-19-2009
Session 1 - Thursday 11:10 AM
Session 2 - Thursday 6:10 PM
Second Round: 3-21-2009
Saturday 1:00 PM

Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA
First Round: 3-19-2009
Session 1 - Thursday 12:10 AM
Session 2 - Thursday 7:10 PM
Second Round: 3-21-2009
Saturday 1:00 PM

Rose Garden in Portland, OR
First Round: 3-19-2009
Session 1 - Thursday 11:30 AM
Session 2 - Thursday 4:10 PM
Second Round: 3-21-2009
Saturday 1:00 PM

March 20, 22, 2009
Taco Bell Arena in Boise, ID
First Round: 3-20-2009
Session 1 - Friday 10:30 AM
Session 2 - Friday 5:10 PM
Second Round: 3-22-2009
Sunday 1:00 PM

UD Arena in Dayton, OH
First Round: 3-20-2009
Session 1 - Friday 12:10 AM
Session 2 - Friday 7:10 PM
Second Round: 3-22-2009
Sunday 1:00 PM

American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL
First Round: 3-20-2009
Session 1 - Friday 12:10 AM
Session 2 - Friday 7:10 PM
Second Round: 3-22-2009
Sunday 1:00 PM

HHH Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN
First Round: 3-20-2009
Session 1 - Friday 12:10 AM
Session 2 - Friday 6:10 PM
Second Round: 3-22-2009
Sunday 1:00 PM

East Regional
March 26, 28, 2009
TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, MA

West Regional
March 26, 28, 2009
University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ

Midwest Regional
March 27, 29, 2009
Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN

South Regional
March 27, 29, 2009
FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN

Final Four
April 4, 2009
Ford Field in Detroit, MI

Championship Game
April 6, 2009
Ford Field in Detroit, MI

So check you calendar at the office and set aside time to watch the games that you want to see.