Students, alumni and team supporters were invited to attend the celebratory rally at the university's Carnesecca Arena Plaza on Wednesday afternoon.
The event included food, refreshments, music and performances from the Red Storm's pep band and spirit teams. The send-off rally culminated with the men's basketball players and coaches greeting fans prior to departing for their match in the nation's capital.
Head coach Rick Pitino and the fifth-seeded team are heading to Washington, D.C. after a thrilling buzzer-beating win over Kansas this past Sunday.
The trip marks the team's first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 1999. They will face top seed Duke University on Friday night.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* More Manhattan news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube