Convocation Center to host NCAA Division II women's basketball South regional

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Convocation Center will host the NCAA Division II women's basketball six-team South region championship.

Regional quarterfinal games will begin March 12, followed by the semifinals March 13 and the regional championship March 15. The region champion will advance to the Elite Eight in Columbus, Ohio, set for March 23-26.

"We are honored to be selected as a predetermined host site and glad to be a flexible partner with the NCAA during these unprecedented times. We appreciate the support we have received from the UNG administration in this effort," UNG Director of Athletics Mary Rob Plunkett said. "Our staff is committed to providing the best experience possible for the student-athletes, coaches and spectators while having the highest regard for their safety and well-being. We're excited to showcase our campus and the Dahlonega area."

Due to protocols surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to conduct all NCAA championship competitions at predetermined sites. The committee believes the sites and hosts chosen will provide an exceptional and safe experience for all participants.

In early February, the Management Council and Presidents Council approved adjusting regional alignments for the 2021 Division II men's and women's basketball championships to better balance the number of active teams in each regional while maintaining geographic proximity for the competing schools.

For this season only, UNG and the Peach Belt Conference are competing as members of the South region along with the Gulf South Conference and select schools from the Sunshine State Conference. 

"On behalf of Division II women's basketball, we are excited for the upcoming championship and thankful to the hosts of this year's predetermined sites," said Lori Hopkins, chair of the Division II Women's Basketball Committee and deputy athletics director at Northwest Missouri State. "Though we are doing things a little different this year, I have no doubt the quality and excellence of the championship will remain the same for all the participants."

Participating teams will be announced March 7. The women's basketball selection show will be broadcast on the NCAA website at 10 p.m. that day.