The Pizzitola Sports Center will host the 2025 Ivy League men’s and women’s basketball tournaments — more commonly known as Ivy Madness — according to a Feb. 26 University press release.
Ivy Madness was first held in Philadelphia in 2017 and has since been hosted in rotation on different Ivy League courts. The 2024 tournaments will be held from March 15 to 17 at Columbia’s home court in New York City.
For Brown’s basketball teams — both of which are currently tied for a playoff berth with three games remaining in the 2023-24 season — the announcement signifies the potential to play the most pivotal games of the year in front of a packed home crowd in Providence.
“The idea of playing on our home court is an awesome thing to think about for next year, and it would be amazing to be able to play in such high-stakes games on our own floor with friends and fellow students able to watch in person,” wrote Grace Arnolie ’26, a women’s basketball guard, in an email to The Herald.
“Having the chance to play on our home court for Ivy Madness next year is definitely special,” wrote Kalu Anya ’26 of the men’s team. “The Pizz is special to us, and having our amazing fans supporting us throughout the game (would) definitely help us overall.”
Both teams’ coaches echoed the excitement generated by the opportunity to host playoff games in the Pizzitola.
"I'm excited for our institution and our city to host an event of such quality and significance," said Head Coach Mike Martin ’04 in the press release. "Our state is so passionate about college basketball, and hosting Ivy Madness in our amazing city of Providence is something for everyone to look forward to."
"We are thrilled to bring the electrifying atmosphere of Ivy Madness here next March," Coach Monique LeBlanc said in the press release. "College basketball championships are the gateway to March Madness and we are thrilled to be hosting this premier event.”
Linus is a sports editor from New York City. He is a junior concentrating in English, and when he's out of The Herald office you can find him rooting for the Mets, watching Star Wars or listening to The Beach Boys.
