03/16/2009

Kansas City, Mo (March 16, 2009)- The NCAA has announced open practice times for the 2009 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball First- and Second- Rounds at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., hosted by the Big 12 Conference. Practice sessions are open to the public and admission is free. Guests are required to stop by Sprint Center Box Office to obtain a complimentary ticket for entry.

Concessions will be served at various locations including the MetroSports Zone and Farmland stands located on the Main Concourse. The public is welcome to have lunch or drop by to catch their favorite team in action. Practice times for all teams are listed below.

"Sprint Center is honored to showcase Kansas City’s enthusiasm and support of NCAA basketball during the First- and Second- Round Session," said Brenda Tinnen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of AEG Kansas City/Sprint Center. "Although the event has been sold out for months, the general public can participate in March Madness by attending Open Practice."

Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult or parental guardian. Sprint Center Box Office will open at 10:00 a.m. on March 18. Groups of 20 or more may reserve tickets by sending contact information including requested number of tickets to grouptickets@sprintcenter.com. Grand Boulevard doors will open at 11:00 a.m. All eight teams will practice on Wednesday, March 18 beginning at 12:00 noon.



Practice Schedule (open to media and general public)

Noon-12:40 p.m. Cal State Northridge

12:45-1:25 p.m. Maryland

1:30-2:10 p.m. Memphis

2:15-2:55 p.m. California

4:25-5:05 p.m. Clemson

5:10-5:50 p.m. Oklahoma

5:55-6:35 p.m. Michigan

6:40-7:20 p.m. Morgan State

The following downtown streets will be closed on Thursday, March 19, from 9 a.m. until approximately one hour after the conclusion of the day’s games and on Saturday, March 21, from approximately 10 a.m. until one hour after the conclusion of the final game.

* Grand Boulevard between 13th Street and Truman Road
* 14th Street between Grand Boulevard and Walnut Street
* Truman Road between Oak Street and Grand Boulevard