ALBANY – Amsterdam native Andre Jackson is coming home. Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino is coming back.
The fourth-seeded University of Connecticut and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion Iona, seeded 13th, will meet in a NCAA men’s basketball tournament first-round game at 4:30 p.m. Friday at MVP Arena in Albany.
It was the matchup that drew the loudest cheer from the crowd at a selection show watch party on Sunday inside the arena atrium. The Huskies of the Big East and Gaels are among eight teams coming to MVP Arena for first-round games on Friday and second-round games on Sunday.
Jackson, who played at Albany Academy, is a junior guard for UConn. Pitino won national championships at Kentucky and Louisville before Iona hired him three years ago.
NCAA men’s basketball tournament
Where: MVP Arena, Albany
When: First round, Friday; second round, Sunday
Saint Mary’s (26-7) vs. Va. Commonwealth (27-7), 2 p.m Friday, TBSÂ
UConn (25-8) vs. Iona (27-7), 4:30 Friday, TBS
Miami (25-7) vs. Drake (27-7), 7:25 Friday, TBS
Indiana (22-11) vs. Kent State (28-6), 9:55Â Friday, TBS
“I’m thrilled with who we have,” MVP Arena general manager Bob Belber said. “I love that last announcement with UConn against Iona. Having Coach Pitino against UConn and the Iona team that just won the championship, that’s going to be a great opportunity to showcase it here.”
The Gaels won their second MAAC title under Pitino in the past three years by beating Marist on Saturday in the championship game in Atlantic City, N.J.
Iona has won 14 straight games since losing their most recent trip to MVP Arena, a 70-53 setback to Siena on Jan. 27.Â
UConn (25-8) and Iona (27-7) are playing in the West Region.
In other Albany games, No. 5 seed Saint Mary’s (26-7) will play No. 12…
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