For the Superdome its Basketball History Almost Rivals its Football History

With Florida taking on Houston in the National Championship in college basketball Monday night. And with New Orleans fresh off hosting Super Bowl LIX I wanted to take a look at the Caesars Superdome and its history hosting a another big event; the Men’s Final Four. Which it has hosted six times.

When people think of the Superdome in New Orleans, their minds often go straight to football. After all, the iconic venue has been home to the Saints since 1975, and it’s etched into NFL history as the site of unforgettable Super Bowl clashes, as most recently as Super Bowl LIX two months ago.

However, the Superdome is no one-sport wonder. Its basketball history has grown so rich and storied over the decades that it could almost rival its football legacy.

The Superdome’s hardwood journey began soon after opening as the home to the NBA’s New Orleans Jazz. The Dome was just too large for regular NBA games, especially a team that regularly lost. So the team packed up and moved to Utah in 1979, where they remain to this day. However, lucky fans who got to attend Jazz games in the Superdome were treated to one of the best ball handlers ever in “Pistol” Pete Maravich.

(Above: New Orleans Jazz Pistol Pete Maravich (7) in action, taking shot vs San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans, LA 11/10/1978 (Photo by Heinz Kluetmeier/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

In 1982 the Superdome hosted its first Final Four . That tournament became legendary, culminating in one of the most iconic moments in college basketball—the game-winning jump shot by North Carolina’s Michael Jordan. Little did fans know then, that young player would become a basketball superstar and global icon. Michael Jordan may have later won six NBA titles but he got hist first taste of championship glory on that Superdome floor in 1982.

The venue’s basketball legacy continued to expand, with subsequent Final Fours adding dramatic chapters to the Superdome’s history. In 1987, Keith Smart’s clutch jumper lifted Indiana past Syracuse 74-73, delivering Bob Knight his third and final NCAA Title. Fast forward to 1993, when Michigan’s famed “Fab Five” faced North Carolina, only for Chris Webber’s infamous timeout blunder to seal their fate in a heart-wrenching loss. And in 2003, Carmelo Anthony dominated for Syracuse in his one-and-done college season, leading the Orange to a championship. Nine years later in 2012 the Superdome played host to the Kentucky Wildcats winning their eighth NCAA title, led by future Pelicans star and #1 overall pick Anthony Davis.

Most recently, in 2022, the Superdome was the stage for yet another thrilling NCAA Men’s Final Four. The championship saw the Kansas Jayhawks rally from a 15-point deficit to defeat the North Carolina Tar Heels, achieving the largest comeback in title-game history.

Shots from the Superdome over the years during National Championship games

(Above Bobby Knight won his third and final National Championship in 1987 as Indiana beat Syracuse 74-73.)

(Above: Michigan Chris Webber (4) in action, taking layup vs North Carolina, New Orleans, LA 4/5/1993 (Photo by John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

(Above: Carmelo Anthony (15) victorious after winning championship game vs Kansas, New Orleans, LA 4/7/2003 (Photo by Bob Rosato/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)