With Butler one win away from reaching the Final Four in their hometown of Indianapolis, it got me thinking about other instances of schools getting to play close to home. It's happened more than you think.
2009-Remember that last year, Michigan State played in the Final Four in Detroit. Not really their home town, but not far away.
1994-Duke got to play in the Final Four in Charlotte, a mere two hours away. Still not really their hometown, but their home state.
1988-Well, technically Kansas isn't in the same state as Kansas City, but it is just an hour away. More on this later.
1975-John Wooden's final title at UCLA came down the street in San Diego.
1974-NC State finished their amazing season with an NCAA Tournament title in nearby Greensboro, NC.
1972-UCLA wins a title in ... Los Angeles. This is the last time that a school played in the Final Four in their hometown.
1968-UCLA in Los Angeles again.
1964-Kansas City was the host site, but it was Kansas State that got to play close to home.
1960-The University of California got to play in the Final Four in nearby San Francisco.
1959-Louisville hosted Louisville in this Final Four.
1957-Wilt Chamberlain led his Kansas Jayhawks to Kansas City to play North Carolina. Three OTs later, and Wilt left a loser.
1953-Kansas in Kansas City again. Third time.
Now, prior to 1952, the Final Four wasn't held at once site. The national semifinals were played at the regional sites. The two winners went to the main site.
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