AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The NCAA has announced that The Palace of Auburn Hills has been chosen to host First and Second Round games during the 2006 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. Oakland University will serve as the host institution.

“We are delighted to have, once again, been selected to host the opening rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship,” said Tom Wilson, President of Palace Sports and Entertainment. “While both of our previous experiences were fabulous, our last tournament, which featured MSU on their march to the national championship, might have been one of the most exciting events in the history of The Palace. We look forward to sharing similar memories with our fans, once again.”

The Palace of Auburn Hills is no stranger to NCAA Tournament play. Former Michigan State star and Detroit Piston Mateen Cleaves led the Spartans to a victory over Iowa State in the 2002 NCAA Midwest Regional Final, hosted by The Palace. The Palace also hosted First and Second Round games during the 2000 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.

“The basketball committee has enjoyed a number of great experiences at The Palace of Auburn Hills and looks forward to the tournament returning there in 2006,” commented Greg Shaheen, Managing Director of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

The Palace will also serve as the host site for the 2007 NCAA Wrestling Finals with the University of Michigan serving as the host institution. Built in 1988, The Palace of Auburn Hills has been awarded “Arena of the Year” by Performance magazine seven times and is known as one of the nation’s top concert venues. Since its opening more than 13 years ago, the arena has undergone in excess of $52 million in venue improvements to maintain its reputation as one of the world’s premier arenas.