Canisius College will join with the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and Niagara University to co-host the 2014 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball second and third rounds at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee announced today. The games will be played Thursday, March 20 and Saturday, March 22, 2014.

"We are thrilled that the NCAA has once again selected Buffalo to host the Division I Men's Basketball Championship," Canisius Director of Athletics and Tournament Co-Director Bill Maher said. "Western New York has hosted five NCAA Championship events in the First Niagara Center and our proven success in hosting outstanding championship events has led them back to Buffalo once again."

Canisius, the MAAC and Niagara have previously hosted the 2000, 2004, 2007 and 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship in Buffalo's downtown arena, and the group also joined together to serve as hosts for the 2003 Frozen Four. All five previous events have sold out. A total of 53 cities put in bids to host the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship and 25 cities were awarded the 2014-2015 sites.

"It is tremendous news that Buffalo has been selected to host the second and third rounds of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship," Rich Ensor, MAAC Commissioner said.  "I believe the selection reflects the confidence the NCAA staff and the Division I Men's Basketball Committee have in the co-hosts, the First Niagara Center, the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau and the City of Buffalo to stage a great championship."

"We're proud to be able to bring the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship tournament to Buffalo and First Niagara Center in 2014," Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black said. "This will be the fifth time the tournament comes through our facility and the first for our new ownership. We have great partners in the NCAA, the MAAC, Canisius College and Niagara University so we know it will be a tremendous success."