Nov. 18--Illinois fans might see this as a positive omen.
For the first time since 2005, when top-seeded Illinois rallied to defeat No. 3-seeded Arizona at Allstate Arena to reach the Final Four, the Chicago area will be an NCAA tournament regional site.
The United Center will host the 2016 Midwest Region, the NCAA announced Monday. The arena hosted round of 64 and round of 32 games in 2011.
The Sweet 16 games will be played March 25 with the regional final played March 27.
The other three regional sites for 2016 are Philadelphia, Louisville, Ky., and Anaheim, Calif.
The Final Four will be held in Houston.
Brooklyn and Des Moines, Iowa, will be first-time hosts in earlier rounds, along with St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Denver, Raleigh, N.C., Providence, R.I., and Spokane, Wash.
