Lethbridge hosting top-tier basketball tournament this weekend

For basketball lovers, March Madness bracketologists and Final Four fanatics, the moment you’ve been waiting for is finally here.

Starting Thursday and continuing through Saturday, the Western Slam will be underway at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena. Four National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I men’s basketball teams from four conferences will compete in something not yet seen in Lethbridge or western Canada: an in-season NCAA basketball tournament.

“The calibre of basketball this event is bringing to our city is unlike anything we’ve hosted before,” says Jennifer Norsworthy, Acting GM of the VisitLethbridge.com Arena. “We’re so excited for Lethbridge to experience the energy and atmosphere of an NCAA basketball tournament.”

Shaping the Western Slam field are the Kennesaw State Owls, Kent State Golden Flashes, Towson Tigers and UC Irvine Anteaters. Both Towson and UC Irvine were named favourites to win their respective conferences this season. If that happens, they will punch their tickets to the 2025 March Madness tournament. It’s a long journey, and it starts in Lethbridge.

“One thing the Western Slam provides is what we hope to get in March at our conference championship – three tough games in three days,” says Towson head coach Pat Skerry. “When the opportunity presented itself to play up in Lethbridge against other high-level teams, it was something we really wanted to jump at.”

“The Western Slam and other tournaments like it are exactly what get our guys ready for the grind of conference play later this season,” says UC Irvine head coach Russell Turner. “The games come so quickly that you need depth and strong performances throughout the roster. It’s something we’re all excited about.”

All four schools have made at least one appearance in the March Madness tournament, while Kent State has the most appearances with seven. Kent State and Kennesaw State appeared most recently in 2023, where both teams were eliminated in the Round of 64.

There will also be some Canadian talent on the court as Towson guard Jaiden Cole (Toronto) and UC Irvine guard Torian Lee (Surrey) look to log playing time in their home country.

Hoping for a buzzer beater? Tickets and packages are still available for purchase at VisitLethbridgeArena.ca.

For Public Inquiries: 
Call or Chat with 311 I Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.