The NCAA is set to announce the host cities for the 2012 through 2016 Final Fours. Ten cities have put in bids for the event ... meaning half will go home disappointed.Ranking the field:
1-Indianapolis: This is NCAA headquarters and they love having the Final Four here. Since the 2010 Final Four will be held in Indy, expect the new Lucas Oil Field to get the 2015 or 2016 event.
2-New Orleans: The NCAA loves N'Awlins (four previous trips) and it will have been at least a decade since the last one at the Superdome (2003). The dome seems to be in fine shape and they are also trying to land a Super Bowl in the (somewhat) near future. I think the NCAA gets this done in 2013 or 2014.
3-Phoenix: I think that Phoenix/Glendale is the next great stop for sporting events. The Super Bowl was a huge success a the new stadium and I think the Final Four would love to grab some of that. I see the 2012 or 2013 Final Four getting awarded here.
4-San Antonio: San Antonio has become a bit of a great place to have a Final Four. They have had three of them from 1998 to 2008. I think the love affair could continue with the 2016 event. However, one strike against the Alamodome could be that they have been there quite a bit of late.
5-North Texas: The new digs and the potentially amazing capacity makes this very, very attractive. Imagine over 100,000 watching the NCAA Championship game! It could happen. The strike against it could be the fact that this means over-Texas-ing this event (San Antonio in '08, Houston in '11 and now Dallas?). If Dallas pulls this off, it could steal San Antonio's bid down the road.
6-Atlanta: This is a close race that I think Atlanta could win. Why? Well, there is that "over-Texas-ing" the Final Four thing I mentioned earlier. Atlanta has been great for the tournament and gets the rabid SEC and ACC fanbases drooling. The only problem is they just held a Final Four there (2007 and 2003) and the committee may think it is too soon to go back.
7-Detroit: Detroit hosts the upcoming Final Four and it would be interesting to see if they'd already get a committment to get another one. I don't think they will ... at least not not right now.
8-St. Louis: I think St. Louis is a perfect place to hold the event. The problem may lie with this little spat between the NFL's Rams and the city (they want a knew building). If, by August, the Gateway City can calm the NCAA's nerves on this ... they could sneak up and grab one of those Texas Final Fours.
9-Houston: This isn't a knock on Houston. They are already set to host the 2011 Final Four ... the last site already set. I just don't think they will turn right around and award them another one in the five years afterwards. Not to mention the fact that Texas cities San Antonio and Dallas would be more apt to get one ... as would nearby New Orleans.
10-Minneapolis: I love Minneapolis as a host city for a Regional Final and all ... I just don't think the HHH Metrodome is sexy enough to warrant them getting a Final Four with all the newer buildings out there.
Okay, by my guess ... that would mean Phoenix (2012), North Texas (2013), New Orleans (2014), Indianapolis (2015) and San Antonio (2016) get rewarded Final Fours.
