Sports

New Orleans continues to re-establish reputation as a big-game city with women's Final Four

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Workers continue preparations at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Friday, April 5, 2013. The Women's Final Four of the NCAA College Basketball tournament will be held at the arena this weekend. (AP Photo/Dave Martin) (The Associated Press)

Workers continue preparations at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Friday, April 5, 2013. The Women's Final Four of the NCAA College Basketball tournament will be held at the arena this weekend. (AP Photo/Dave Martin) (The Associated Press)

UConn coach Geno Auriemma is making his third trip to New Orleans for a women's Final Four and says he never gets tired of coming to the Big Easy for big games.

The city has hosted a college football national title game, the men's Final Four and the Super Bowl in the past 15 months, and now another major college championship is coming up on Tuesday. In Sunday's semifinals, Connecticut plays Notre Dame, while California meets Louisville.

Cal coach Lindsay Gottlieb says her team has embraced playing in a city known for its distinctive culture and celebrations.

Organizers hope Gottlieb's sentiment is contagious. They say New Orleans plans to bid for another Super Bowl, college football championship, and men's and women's Final Fours between 2016 and 2020.