NCAA Div. 1 Men's Basketball Championships

March 16 & March 18

The Ohio State University Department of Athletics, Nationwide Arena and the City of Columbus will host the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Second and Third Rounds in March of 2012.

Six early-round games of the 2012 tournament will be played at Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus March 16 and 18 with four games contested Friday (3/16) and a pair of matchups Sunday (3/18).

Ohio State played host to the 2004 and 2007 opening rounds at Nationwide. As the host institution, the Ohio State men's basketball team is not permitted to play in the tournament games at Nationwide should the Buckeyes qualify for 2012 NCAA postseason competition.

FRIDAY - MARCH 16

Session 1 Games:

12:40 p.m. ET: San Diego State/North Carolina State

3:10 p.m. ET: Georgetown/Belmont

Session 2 Games:

6:50 p.m. ET: Saint Louis/Memphis

9:20 p.m. ET: Michigan State/Long Island Brooklyn

SATURDAY - MARCH 17 - NO GAMES

SUNDAY - MARCH 18

Session 3 GAMES

Time 12:15: North Carolina State vs. Georgetown

Time: 30 minutes following game 1: St. Louis vs. Michigan State

Doors will open Sunday at 10:45AM. The box office will open at 9AM.

Nationwide Arena Directions and Parking for 2012 NCAA Tournament

*Due to the I-71/670 Construction Project, many areas will be congested and several exits are closed. The directions below will help to alleviate slow traffic conditions. See map for recommended parking locations. *

Coming from the North/I-71: Go south on I-71. Exit right at Broad St. Turn right onto North Fourth Street. Turn left onto Nationwide Blvd. Proceed to the signed event parking entrances.

Coming from the North/Rt. 315: Go south on OH-315 to I-670 east. Exit onto Neil Avenue and turn right. Proceed to the signed event parking entrances.

Coming from the South/I-71: Go north on I-71. Exit at Front St. (#100A). Turn left onto Front Street. Proceed north on Front Street to signed event parking entrances near Front Street and Nationwide Blvd.

Coming from the East/I-70: Go west on I-70. Exit at Fourth Street (#100B) and turn right. At Nationwide Blvd., turn left and proceed to signed event parking entrances.

Coming from the East/I-670: Go west on I-670 to I-71 South briefly before exiting on your right at Spring Street. Follow Spring Street across High Street to Neil Avenue. Turn right on Neil Avenue and look for signed event parking entrances.

Coming from the West/I-70: Go east on I-70 to I-670. Exit at Rt. 33-Dublin Road/Long Street. Turn right onto Long Street. Turn left onto Neil Avenue. Follow signed event parking entrances.

Tickets: All Session Ticket Prices are $255 or $225 depending on seat location.Show ScheduleMarch 16 & March 18Get Tickets Now

For more information about upcoming events at Nationwide Arena, please call (614) 246-2000.

Tickets for most events may be purchased at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available at the FOX Sports Ohio Blue Line location at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing and ticket outlets within OhioHealth Chiller Dublin, OhioHealth Chiller Easton and OhioHealth Chiller North.

For more information on group reservations or premium seating opportunities, call (614) 246-7224.

Nationwide Arena Ticket Office Hours:

Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: Open for Sunday events
*Open late on event nights

For information about our suburban FOX Sports Ohio Blue Line location:

The Mall at Tuttle Crossing - (614) 246-3205