Huskies to host 2019 men’s basketball regional

Should it be open for business, KeyArena will stage first- and second-round games of the NCAA men’s basketball tourney March 22-24, 2019, host University of Washington said in a release Tuesday. It’s one of five NCAA championship events UW will host through the 2021 season.

Proposals to remodel KeyArena are under consideration by the Seattle City Council. If a bid is chosen by the June 30 deadline, construction would likely close the building during the time of the tourney. A UW spokesman said it was “doubtful” that a decision has been made about hosting the event at Hec Ed, and deferred the question to KeyArena officials, who have yet to respond.

In that same season, Washington will host a women’s golf regional at Tumble Creek in Suncadia May 6-8. Two years after that, regionals will return to Tumble Creek for the men May 16-19, 2021.

In 2020, the men’s and women’s cross country regional will be held at Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place. UW most recently hosted the same regional in  2015.

Washington was also selected to receive a women’s gymnastics regional to be held at Hec Ed April 3, 2021.

“We are so fortunate to be located in a world-class city, and we are excited that the NCAA has chosen Seattle and the UW to host these events,”  said athletics director Jen Cohen in a statement. “The Seattle Sports Commission and many other local partners have done wonderful work to host NCAA events in the past, and we look forward to working together to make these events an unforgettable experience for all.”