NCAA tournament: Sweet 16 practices at Staples Center open to public

Fans coming to L.A. for the NCAA tournament West Regional semifinals Thursday might want to arrive a day early.

Practices for the region’s two Sweet 16 games -- Wisconsin vs. North Carolina and Xavier vs. Arizona -- will take place at Staples Center on Wednesday and are open to the public.

North Carolina takes the floor from noon-12:50 p.m., followed by Xavier from 1-1:50 p.m., Wisconsin from 2:10-3 p.m. and Arizona from 3:10-4 p.m.

Doors open at 11 a.m.

Friday’s practices for the regional final are closed to the public.

Twitter: @chewkiii