Have you ever been to an NCAA Tournament Game?

[Nittany302]

I was thinking of going to session1 in Pittsburgh on Thursday. I'm not a fan of any of those teams, but I thought it could be a neat experience.

If you went because PSU was in it that makes things a little different than going as someone seeing Duke vs Iona and Oklahoma vs Rhode Island.

 

[LionJim]

I was thinking of going to session1 in Pittsburgh on Thursday. I'm not a fan of any of those teams, but I thought it could be a neat experience.

It can be. I was at Cole Field House when #15 Richmond beat #2 Syracuse in the 1991 first round, great experience.

 

[pandaczar12]

I’ve never been to an NCAA basketball game.

 

[Nitwit97]

I haven’t, but would go as a sports fan bucket list item. Going back to 2000, I had a chance to attend a heavyweight title fight. Mind you, it was Chris Byrd defeating Evander Holyfield in Atlantic City. But still. . . Check!
I think it would be a blast, and the great thing about sports, you are always a moment away from witnessing something historic or great.

 

[sluggo72]

I thought about it this year, but when I found out San Diego is in the East, its just too far.

 

[MrDibbs]

I went to games in Pittsburgh (the "old" Civic Arena) about 14 or 15 years ago. Had a pretty good time but I forget who was playing. My sons (in high school at the time) had a blast trying to acquire tickets for the next round (in Pittsburgh) from the fans whose team had lost in the first game.

Also went to NCAA Womens tournament in Pittsburgh - maybe a year or two later. Took my daughter who played in high school. I did score a couple freebies from a losing team's fan. Guess he was tired of Primanti's sandwiches.

Also spoke with an equipment rental representative from Buffalo area who will be coming to Pittsburgh this week for NCAAs. He went to games in Buffalo last year and had a blast so he decided a late winter getaway would be worth it - plus his daughter graduated from Duquesne and she knows the places to go. He was asking me about decent restaurants for Friday - since his daughter went to Duquesne, I assumed he was Catholic and I told him to just drive by a church and sniff for the grease and he will have found a fish fry.

 

[Howie'81]

Yes.

 

[psu_1989]

yes, a couple times in Denver. It is a fun experience, though kind of weird when you have to leave for a few hours between games 2 and 3 (session 1 - games 1 and 2, and session 2 - games 3 and 4). The local bars and restaurants will be packed during that time so have a game plan early.

 

[wbcincy]

I was thinking of going to session1 in Pittsburgh on Thursday. I'm not a fan of any of those teams, but I thought it could be a neat experience.

If you went because PSU was in it that makes things a little different than going as someone seeing Duke vs Iona and Oklahoma vs Rhode Island.

I went when it was in Pittsburgh 3 years ago and will be there again this time. If you like college hoops, it's a great time.

If you're going Thursday, don't buy tickets in advance. Just haggle one of the licensed scalpers outside the place. 3 years ago I got both Thursday sessions in the lower bowl on the baseline for $40/ticket.

The atmosphere likely won't be what you expect on Thursday though. There are thousands of empty seats in those sessions. Saturday when teams are fighting to get into the Sweet 16 is when the place is packed and the tickets are expensive.

 

[LionJim]

I went when it was in Pittsburgh 3 years ago and will be there again this time. If you like college hoops, it's a great time.

If you're going Thursday, don't buy tickets in advance. Just haggle one of the licensed scalpers outside the place. 3 years ago I got both Thursday sessions in the lower bowl on the baseline for $40/ticket.

The atmosphere likely won't be what you expect on Thursday though. There are thousands of empty seats in those sessions. Saturday when teams are fighting to get into the Sweet 16 is when the place is packed and the tickets are expensive.

Yes, and if there is an upset it's a buyer's market afterwards.

 

[LioninNC]

I go every year the tournament is in my area, which in my case is either Raleigh or Greensboro. It’s a great time if you are a college basketball junkie like I am. It helps if there is a team playing in the tournament that you have an interest in, but for me, i’d be ecstatic to see the Alabama game that is being played in Pittsburgh just to see Sexton play in person.

One tip I’d offer is that you may be able to significantly improve your seats for the second game of each session. During the first game, watch to see where the 2 participating team’s fans are seated. Each team’s fans will typically occupy a series of 2 or 3 sections between center court and the baseline on opposite sides of the court. Once the first game is over, a large percentage of the fans of the first game’s teams will leave as they have no interest in seeing the second game. Every time I go, I can typically find “open” seats in the first 10 rows about at the foul line and have a great view for the 2nd game of each session. Enjoy!

 

[Victor E. Bell]

Went to Atlanta after PSU beat UNC to get to the S16 back in 2001. Temple beat us and that was that. We stayed for the Temple-MSU game then that Sunday, which MSU won. We were rooting for Temple, who we beat in the regular season that year. Not a great weekend. No buzz in ATL whatsoever for a city hosting a regional final. Wouldn't go again. If I recall, Temple ran us that last time we were in the NCAAs, first round. Now we have Temple again in the NIT.

 

[MH55]

Been to a bunch including the Georgia Dome in 2001 when Temple beat the Nits like a puppy w a bad bladder in the Sweet 16

 

[valleyforgebob]

It can be. I was at Cole Field House when #15 Richmond beat #2 Syracuse in the 1991 first round, great experience.

I was also at that game and the other game that was played that day (I think it was Oklahoma State vs. someone I do not remember). The thing I remember is that with two games you could sit anywhere until someone came . Seats were empty for the first game and different seats for the second game. I sat right behind the Maryland coach two rows behind the bench but real seats were way back.

 

[LionJim]

About Dunphy, that's a really slick comment. Full deniability. Sounds like Gary Williams ten years or so ago. Williams briefly stuck his toes in the AAU waters and hated it. Like it or not, and maybe I am overstating the actual level of Pollyanna to be found in Williams (or Dunphy, for that matter), there's no question that Maryland's recruiting took a hit for a while there. It's a dirty business and has been for a long time. You have to wonder what is being done out of our knowledge.

During my time at Maryland I played on an IM coed team made up of fellow math graduate students; we lost in the finals. I asked one teammate to join me at a Terp game; "No. College basketball is corrupt and I won't give them my money." This was about 26-28 years ago.

 

[Lefty Hill]

Oddly, enough I went to the Pitt-NYU game at the Palestra in 1962 or 1963. First basketball game I ever went to. A friend of my parents sold athletic equipment to Pitt, so he, his wife and their son visited us (we lived in the Philly area) and we went to the game.

I also saw part of the women’s tourney hosted by PSU in the early 70s after I graduated. Immaculata won one of its national titles.

 

[scbob]

I was thinking of going to session1 in Pittsburgh on Thursday. I'm not a fan of any of those teams, but I thought it could be a neat experience.

If you went because PSU was in it that makes things a little different than going as someone seeing Duke vs Iona and Oklahoma vs Rhode Island.

Saw Penn State defeat UCLA in the Carrier Dome in 1991. Then they lost to Eastern Michigan in OT. Pissed us off, because the next game would have been in the Meadowlands against North Carolina.

 

[jp3272]

saw Duke cut down the East Regional nets in Philly back in 2001.

 

[flavorguy]

I had an awesome NCAA experience...

I grew up in Allentown and was a closet Villanova fan (since PSU bball was extremely putrid at this time). I was living 30 miles North of Dayton OH at the time...

1985 Regional - University of Dayton

So, in the first round (Thursday)
8th seed Villanova beats 9th seed University of Dayton (don't know how Dayton was able to pull off a home game as a 9th seed)... all these homer UD fans begin to sell off their tickets.

For the Saturday match - my wife and I go to the UD arena to scalp tickets. The game I was interested in seeing was Villanova vs. Michigan. As I am trying to "buy" tickets, this older UD alumn approaches. He asks me who I'm rooting for. I say "Rollie"... he cracks a smile, says "I hate f'n Michigan"... will you promise to use these tickets" and GIVES me his two seats... the seats are center court / 15th row.

The first game - Villanova vs Michigan - Villanova upsets Michigan - and of course this is the tournament that they end up making their miraculous run culminating by beating G-town for the National Championship...

The second game - Maryland vs Navy - featuring an unknown sophomore named David Robinson against one of the top players in the country, Len Bias. Maryland barely beats Navy (5 point game) but you could already see how dominant of a player Robinson was going to become ...

Bottom line - you never know what you will experience, even in the lower rounds, at the NCAA tourny...

 

[mikeinpenna]

Yep. Twice...both disappointing outcomes.

1988 in South Bend, IN. LaSalle vs. Kansas State (1st round). Had a friend who was close with Tim Legler while at LaSalle, so we drove 10+ hours for the game. The Explorers could not get untracked. And I quickly realized why Mitch Richmond was so highly thought of at the time.

1990 in Hartford, CT. LaSalle vs. Clemson in a 2nd round game. Lionel Simmons and LaSalle were beating the daylights out of Clemson in the first half. But then Dale Davis and Eldon Campbell put it to Explorers in the second half to win it.

 

[UncleLar]

I was thinking of going to session1 in Pittsburgh on Thursday. I'm not a fan of any of those teams, but I thought it could be a neat experience.

If you went because PSU was in it that makes things a little different than going as someone seeing Duke vs Iona and Oklahoma vs Rhode Island.

I've been to several. Best one was easily the legendary Christian Laettner Duke/Kentucky regional final in Philly. Arguably the best college basketball game ever. Be forewarned that these are usually sold out and you'll likely have to pay a premium for a ticket.

 

[CDLionFL]

I've gone to 3 different sites (Denver, Philly, Jacksonville) for both first and second round games. I think I've been to a total of 15 tournament games and only 3 of them were decided by single digits. Those years I went, I had tickets in advance and was at the mercy of whatever the committee sent there. Back then, not all the games were on like they are now and as a fan of the entire game and tournament, unless my school shows up there (not likely anytime soon), I won't be going to any more venues because I feel like you miss out on seeing what else is going on that day throughout the country. Now maybe you're at the venue that has 2 nailbiters and an OT game and you have all the action. I wasn't so lucky so my experiences with it wasn't as exciting as others may have.

 

[psu00]

We go every year and were able to see a few upsets including Mercer and Lehigh beating Duke and Florida Gulf Coast beating Georgetown.

It’s hit or miss since most of the time you get tickets before knowing who is going where.

Every once in a while you strike gold like watching an arena full of UNC fans, (who don’t care about anything but their game), suddenly roar to life late in the Lehigh game and turn on Duke. It literally was like flipping a switch and the electricity in the arena went from 1 to 100 in a matter of seconds.

 

[LionJim]

We go every year and were able to see a few upsets including Mercer and Lehigh beating Duke and Florida Gulf Coast beating Georgetown.

It’s hit or miss since most of the time you get tickets before knowing who is going where.

Every once in a while you strike gold like watching an arena full of UNC fans, (who don’t care about anything but their game), suddenly roar to life late in the Lehigh game and turn on Duke. It literally was like flipping a switch and the electricity in the arena went from 1 to 100 in a matter of seconds.

Awesome. I recall one time Penn and Temple played back-to-back games, with Penn playing the nightcap. The Owls lose and once the Temple cheerleaders get themselves together, they started the chant, "Let's Go Quakers!" Nice touch, nice memory.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Went to the National Final Four in 1971 in The Astrodome.

UCLA (Wickes / Rowe / Patterson / Bibby ) beat KU in one semi.

Villanova beat Western Kentucky in the other semi.

UCLA beat Villanova in the finals, but that’s the day I became a Villanova fan, too!

Strange sitting on the floor of the Astrodome looking up and watching the game being played on a raised floor..... you could not see any of the court markings!

Also been to several regional doubleheaders at The United Center in Chicago. Fun going to games when “your team” is not playing.

 

[LionJim]

I was also at that game and the other game that was played that day (I think it was Oklahoma State vs. someone I do not remember). The thing I remember is that with two games you could sit anywhere until someone came . Seats were empty for the first game and different seats for the second game. I sat right behind the Maryland coach two rows behind the bench but real seats were way back.

Temple beat Purdue in the evening game, then came Richmond-Syracuse.

 

[We Are . . .]

2011 Southwest Regional in the Alamodome. Watched the semifinals: VCU beat Florida State and Kansas beat Richmond. Wasn't there the following night when Shaka Smart's VCU team upset KU.

 

[nittany dave]

I was thinking of going to session1 in Pittsburgh on Thursday. I'm not a fan of any of those teams, but I thought it could be a neat experience.

If you went because PSU was in it that makes things a little different than going as someone seeing Duke vs Iona and Oklahoma vs Rhode Island.

I've been evey time the regionals have been in Pittsburgh. Also going this year. Also went to the Final 4 in Detroit in 2009. Got a lot of love in Detroit from Michigan State fans there after we won the NIT.

 

[nittany dave]

I've been evey time the regionals have been in Pittsburgh. Also going this year. Also went to the Final 4 in Detroit in 2009. Got a lot of love in Detroit from Michigan State fans there after we won the NIT.

Also, being a Pitt hater, with Nova playing in Pittsburgh, can't wait to see them again show the highlight of Scotty Reynolds beating Pitt at the buzzer in regional finals in 2009. They showed it several times in Pittsburgh last time, and it made Pitt fans groan every time!

 

[Ranger Dan]

My wife and I went to see second round games in Pittsburgh a few years ago. I can’t remember all the teams, but ND and Nova played.

 

[joeparules]

A friend of mine won tickets for the George Mason/UConn regional final in our company's box at the Verizon Center in DC. He is a Villanova grad and we enjoyed watching the upset. We also watched the first round in Philadelphia in 2009. A lot of fun watching four games (including Villanova vs. American) in one day. Being a PSU grad means CFB >>> CBB but it is still a great time checking out tournament games.

I had a friend with an extra ticket for the 1992 East Regional Final between Kentucky and Duke at the Spectrum in Philly and didn't go. Yeah, the Christian Laettner last second shot game! Dohhhh!!

 

[brupsu]

I've been evey time the regionals have been in Pittsburgh. Also going this year. Also went to the Final 4 in Detroit in 2009. Got a lot of love in Detroit from Michigan State fans there after we won the NIT.

Palaestra double header.penn vs k state and Syracuse vs somebody.Great time had by all.Penn lost as k state had two guards who never missed.Needless to say I could care less about Syracuse even then.

 

[mjh218]

Went to games in Philly in early 2000s. Was a lot of fun. Even if you have no rooting interest you can see some great games. Definitely worthwhile

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Went to games in Philly in early 2000s. Was a lot of fun. Even if you have no rooting interest you can see some great games. Definitely worthwhile

At times I think it’s MUCH MUCH better seeing games in which you have no rooting interest!

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

It can be. I was at Cole Field House when #15 Richmond beat #2 Syracuse in the 1991 first round, great experience.

I remember that vividly. Boeheim caught in the Spider's web. A great day for humanity.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

Anyone get a chance to go, it is a MUST. I was there in person for Villanova entire run in '85 (God I was just 23 then), Temple/Carolina Eastern final at Brendan Byrne Arena, PSU in Atlanta, Villanova-Illinois in Milwaukee Senior year. Take an opener, go to both doubleheaders, and enjoy the hell out of it.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

@LionJim there was another thread about the BE - I could not remember who won the very first BET at Hartford Civic Center the year BEFORE Villanova joined the conference.

Was it Georgetown? Sleepy Floyd and Ed Spriggs years.

 

[TangSoo]

Went to Pittsburgh 3 years ago (got an invitation out of the blue). Saw NC State vs LSU, and Villanova vs a 16 seed I can't remember. Couldn't get out of work or it would have been 3 games. I'm not a huge b-ball fan but it was a cool experience. I'd definitely recommend going.

 

[RickinDayton]

I was thinking of going to session1 in Pittsburgh on Thursday. I'm not a fan of any of those teams, but I thought it could be a neat experience.

If you went because PSU was in it that makes things a little different than going as someone seeing Duke vs Iona and Oklahoma vs Rhode Island.

Yes, I have been to 2 Final Fours in Philadelphia and Indianapolis. Also to 1st round and play-in games in Dayton (UD Arena). UD Arena is one of the best basketball venues in America. Fans in Dayton love college Bball and always turn out for NCAA tournament games.

 

[bison13]

NO NCAA but to the Garden in 95 and 98? for PSU's trips. I was over 21 the 2nd trip, so I think it was 98. I do remember losing to Minnesota with all their NCAA academic fraud issues.