March Madness is in the air and before you know it you’ll be filling out your brackets for your office pool.

But before the best programs in the NCAA hit the court in pursuit of the national championship, the madness takes over DC as the teams of the Atlantic 10 Conference battle it out for their chance to head to college basketball’s big dance.

The A-10 is made up of 14 (not 10) public and Catholic universities (primarily) along the East Coast. It may technically be a considered Mid-Major, but the level of play and overall talent often rivals that seen in the power basketball conferences.

This year, the A-10 Tournament comes to the nation’s capital for the FIRST. TIME. EVER. as all 14 teams compete for the right to cut the nets down at Capital One Arena.

Over the last 5 years, the A-10 has put 21 teams into the NCAA Tournament. During that time (which happens to be the most successful span in league history), A-10 teams have been to an Elite Eight and four Sweet 16’s. The league also has consistently ranked as one of the top seven, college basketball conferences in the RPI.

If you don’t speak bracketology, what we’re saying is, if you love great basketball (or just want to see 5 days of awesome sports action), you don’t want to miss out on the A-10 Tournament being in your backyard.

Last season, Rhode Island captured its first A-10 crown since 1998 and it enters the Championship as a strong favorite to repeat. But the 13 other members, including St. Bonaventure and Player of the Year Candidate, Jaylen Adams, who recently ended Rhode Island’s 21 game conference win streak, will be vying to dethrone the Rams and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Tickets for the first (Wednesday) and second rounds (Thursday) are all general admission, and reserved tickets are available for Friday’s quarterfinals, Saturday’s semifinals and Sunday’s championship.

If you want to attend the tournament and see a new champion crowned without paying an arm and a leg, make sure to take advantage of  “A-10 Zonies” lower-bowl seating, which cost just $20 per session.

Want to attend the finals on the super cheap, aka for FREE?

DC Fray has the hook up on a pair of tickets to the championship game. Want to enter to win? Follow us on Instagram @dcfray and lookout for our giveaway post on Monday 3/5!

#Fraylife Tip: They need volunteers too! Snag a view of the game, some swag and a sweet behind the scenes peak at how it all goes down.

More championship details and a full timeline of activities can be found at www.atlantic10.com and for those that don’t want to risk not winning tickets you can snag them here.

Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship Schedule 

• Session 1 (First Round; two games beginning at 6:00 pm) – Wed., March 7
• Session 2 (Second Round; two games beginning at Noon and 2:30 pm) – Thu., March 8
• Session 3 (Second Round; two games beginning at 6:00 pm and 8:30 pm) – Thu., March 8
• Session 4 (Quarterfinals; two games beginning at Noon and 2:30 pm) – Fri., March 9
• Session 5 (Quarterfinals; two games beginning at 6:00 pm and 8:30 pm) – Fri., March 9
• Session 6 (Semifinals; two games beginning at 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm) – Sat., March 10
• Session 7 (Championship Game; time is TBA) – Sun., March 11

Will you be attending the A-10 Tournament at Capital One Arena? If so, make sure to tag us in your social media posts using #FrayLife!

Need other exciting events or things to do this March? Hit up our latest Month Ahead guide.