March Madness setup begins in South Philadelphia
· Yahoo Sports
We're just days away from NCAA Tournament action tipping off in South Philadelphia. It's the city's first time hosting March Madness since 2022.
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Preparations got underway on Monday as crews began the intricate, hours-long process of transforming the arena floor. The Sixers court first had to be removed before the NCAA's custom court could be installed.
After the old floor was taken up, workers brought in 16 pallets carrying 250 individual pieces that were laid out and assembled to form the tournament court.
The games being played on Friday in Philadelphia include the following:
- No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 14 Wright State on Friday, March 20, at 1:50 p.m.
- No. 6 Tennessee vs. the winner of No. 11 Miami (Ohio) and No. 11 SMU on Friday, March 20, at 4:25 p.m.
- No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 UCF on Friday, March 20 at 7:25 p.m.
- No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Furman on Friday, March 20, at 10 p.m.
READ MORE | March Madness: Penn, Villanova, Lehigh, Princeton earn spots in NCAA tournament
Let the madness begin! Four schools in the Delaware Valley will have teams competing in the 2026 NCAA tournament.
For players, stepping onto that hardwood is a moment few take for granted.
Former Villanova basketball standout Corey Fisher says playing in the NCAA Tournament is an honor he'll always cherish.
"Once you see that blue patch - that NCAA patch on the floor, on your jersey - you can never take it for granted," Fisher said. "You get four years to play in college; some guys don't even go. So if you can go one time, it's an honor to go and be blessed to be playing on the biggest stage in the world."
Fisher made the tournament all four years during his Villanova career. He says the experience was even more special when the opening rounds were held in South Philadelphia during his sophomore season.
"It was another home game, to be honest - with the atmosphere, the crowd," he said. "It was even more special for me because more of my family got to come see me in Philadelphia."