ODU to host NCAAs in 2012

In a move that should surprise no one, Old Dominion's Ted Constant Center was selected as one of the 16 sites for first- and second-round games in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. The other institutions hosting opening-round games next season: ACC powers North Carolina, Florida State and Maryland, LSU, Iowa State, Fairfield (there's always one in UConn's vicinity, isn't there?), Bowling Green, DePaul, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Gonzaga and Purdue.

Chosing Norfolk seems like a no-brainer as during the 2010 NCAAs, the Hampton Roads/ODU coalition solidified its reputation as one of the handful nationally that's capable of generating a robust turnout for women's basketball with or without the home team. Here's hoping that this time, ODU can play its way into its own gym for the party.

Same thing for Virginia, which as noted here before will host first- and second-round games in the 2011 NCAA tourney. And if the Cavaliers needed any extra motivation (which we doubt), being picked to finish 10th in the 12-team ACC should suffice quite nicely.