San Diego is making history this March Madness as it becomes the first city ever to have both its men's and women's basketball teams from San Diego State University (SDSU) and UC San Diego (UCSD) competing simultaneously at the NCAA tournaments. This unprecedented occurrence offers the chance for passionate sports fans across the region to find new reasons to cheer for college basketball.
After significant accomplishments leading up to the tournaments, both universities are set to showcase their skills, with men's and women's teams eagerly preparing for their opening games this week. On March 18, the SDSU men will participate in the "First Four" matchup against North Carolina, seeking to secure their path forward, alongside UCSD's women who will face Southern University on March 19 for a chance to advance.
Both schools are riding high on recent successes. UC San Diego's achievement is particularly remarkable: their men's and women's teams have qualified for the NCAA tournament during their first eligibility year after moving up to Division I basketball. This transition began just two years ago, and they were unable to compete due to NCAA transition rules until this season.
"It's been a long road," said Earl W. Edwards, Director of Athletics at UC San Diego since 2000. He expressed pride not just for the teams but for the entire university, highlighting how they’ve managed to participate so soon after leaving Division II. This sentiment resonates through the student body, many of whom gathered excitedly to watch the selection show, marking the official entry of their teams.
Both Tritons teams had memorable runs leading to the tournament. The women’s team secured their slot by winning the Big West Conference Tournament against UC Davis on March 15, triumphing with a score of 75-66. Meanwhile, the men also clinched victory against UC Irvine by beating them 75-61, on the same day, solidifying their position and securing their first-ever NCAA tournament spots.
The festivities reached new heights as students of UC San Diego came together, forming lines outside LionTree Arena for the selection show, which saw students and athletes collectively experience the thrill of NCAA qualification. Senior Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, who ended his season as the Big West player of the year, shared his excitement about the community support, saying, "The fans have been awesome to us all year. It’s really great to see them out here supporting us."
Meanwhile, at San Diego State, the Aztecs will play their first-round tournament game against the formidable LSU on March 22. Although they could not claim victory at the Mountain West tournament, their inclusion came through selection, marking another important day for San Diego's basketball scene.
The NCAA tournaments will showcase various matchups, creating multiple viewing opportunities for fans. The men’s first-round games will be broadcast across major networks including CBS, TNT, and TBS, and streaming on platforms like March Madness Live, Paramount+, and FuboTV. Fans can expect to find SDSU’s game against North Carolina airing on TruTV starting at 6:10 P.M. PT, and for UCSD’s contest against Southern, it will air on TBS at 7 P.M PT on March 19.
Sports bars across the city will also light up to accommodate fans wanting to enjoy the action alongside friends and fellow enthusiasts. Hot spots include Home & Away and Pitchers Sports Bar, providing the perfect atmosphere to experience the thrill of the games.
For an all-encompassing view on the NCAA schedule, the men’s tournament kicks off on March 18-19 with the "First Four" round, continuing through the finals held at Alamodome, San Antonio, on April 7. The women follow suit, commencing their First Four matches on March 19-20, culminating their championship on April 6 at Amalie Arena, Tampa.
The basketball scene is alive with excitement as the various teams engage with their die-hard supporters. While UC San Diego's Tritons and the Aztecs from SDSU engage in exhilarating matches, they also carry the weight of history on their backs, their performance representing the collective spirit of San Diego's beloved basketball culture.
Both SDSU and UCSD have made commendable strides since transitioning to NCAA Division I, with both athletic programs now attracting national attention. Edwards appreciates this moment, describing it as both transformative and celebratory for the community. 'To see our school spirit grow this way is truly heartwarming,' he noted.
Across the city, the buzz of teamwork, school pride, and the excitement of March Madness has everyone on edge, as fans prepare to witness the dreams of these young athletes come to fruition on the national stage. With all teams working hard and perfectly positioned, it’s clear San Diego is ready to embrace the madness!
