College Hoops Wrap, River Flooding Concerns and March Madness Energy Across Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is coming off a packed weekend, with college basketball crowds, rising river levels and more March momentum across the city.

Atlantic 10 Tournament Wraps at PPG Paints Arena

The 2026 Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Tournament concluded Sunday, March 15, at PPG Paints Arena. The five-day stretch brought teams and fans Downtown from across the conference, adding to an already busy March sports calendar.

Restaurants and hotels around Uptown and Market Square saw a steady flow of visitors as the tournament played out from March 11–15. With the NCAA spotlight on Pittsburgh this month, the event served as another preview of the region’s ability to host major competitions ahead of next month’s NFL Draft.

NCAA Division II Action Underway

College basketball isn’t done yet. Regional rounds of the NCAA Division II women’s basketball tournament ran March 13–16, with Pittsburgh serving as host for upcoming Elite Eight and championship games later this month at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.

The national quarterfinals, semifinals and finals are set for March 24–28, positioning the city as a key stop on the Division II championship stage. Schools, families and fans are expected to return in force as the tournament advances.

Ohio River Flood Advisory Expires

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service’s Flood Advisory for the Ohio River at Pittsburgh remained in effect through Saturday morning, March 14, after days of rainfall pushed water levels close to action stage.

River levels were forecast to crest around 18.5 feet, enough to send water onto portions of the Monongahela Wharf and low-lying sections of the North Shore Riverwalk. By the end of the weekend, conditions were improving, though officials urged residents to remain cautious near riverbanks.

With March Madness crowds, improving weather and major spring events ahead, Pittsburgh is firmly in its high-energy season.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Atlantic_10_men%27s_basketball_tournament
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_NCAA_Division_II_women%27s_basketball_tournament
https://weathershogun.com/weather/usa/pa/pittsburgh/3886/march/2026-03-14