March Madness in Portland is almost here
The annual craziness known as the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament descends upon the Rose City this week for the first time since the 1970s. Eight teams will be at the Rose Garden for a marathon on Thursday: Illinois vs. Western Kentucky, Gonzaga vs. Akron, Purdue vs. Northern Iowa, and Washington vs. Mississippi State. The winners of those first two contests will play each other here on Saturday, as will the winners of the last two. The two survivors will head off to the "Sweet 16" round in Memphis and Glendale, respectively, the following weekend.
After failing to score tickets to Thursday's games in the NCAA lottery, I hear there's still hope to get in on Saturday, as many fans of the four Thursday losers will likely be in the mood to cash out what they paid to get in -- maybe even head home on Friday. So what are the best strategies to get a decent deal on some seats? Stand outside the arena on Thursday? Craigslist? Some other forum?
Meanwhile, Portland State fans will be schlepping to Boise, where the Vikings take on Xavier, and then if they're lucky, either Florida State or Wisconsin. I'd say that over there, anything's possible.
| Posted at 6:24 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (6)
craigslist i suspect.
Posted by Paul G. | March 16, 2009 6:52 PM
Having attended a fair number of regionals back in the day as sports editor for the college newspaper I suggest being outside the Garden just after the first game ends and then just after the second game of the first set ends. The fans of the losers want out and will be more than willing to deal. And if a local team(WA/Gonzaga) loses there will be an extra surplus of tickets on the market. If you happen to know someone who is inside the arena ask them to be on the lookout for disgusted boosters of the losing team that may literally give their tickets away. Despite the novelty factor of having the games in Portland I highly suspect it will be a buyer's market.
Posted by Gannicott | March 16, 2009 9:29 PM
What's face value on the Saturday tickets -- anybody know?
Posted by Jack Bog | March 16, 2009 9:51 PM
Face value on ALL three sessions is $55/seat for all the seats that are up for public sale. NCAA Tourney tickets are cheap. I paid $165 plus about $15 in fees per ticket strip (I won the lottery).....
Posted by Don | March 16, 2009 10:30 PM
Gannicott's suggestion is best. But the streets are always best. I bet you get in for face or less on Day 2 if you are patient. Remember, those scalpers who buy tickets by waiting around after Thursday's game will be paying low prices for them, so they can still make their nut without you overpaying.
Root against the Huskies though, if you really want to up your chances. (Gonzaga, far fewer local alums, smaller school, further away).
And what Portland State fans? (Seriously, Bone gave a funny interview to the Cincinnati paper today - "hopefully this year we'll get 40 or 50. Maybe a couple parents...my wife and three daughters will be there. That's about it."
Posted by JasonC | March 17, 2009 12:09 AM
Yes, Gannicott is spot on with his recommendation. I've attended every college hockey Frozen Four over the past decade and there are always fans willing to dump tickets cheap. This will be especially true if Gonzaga or Washington lose, since those fans can just drive home and won't be hanging around town waiting for their Sunday flights home. Even out of town fans may choose to collect some beer money and watch the Saturday games in a local bar instead (the arena is dry I believe).
Hockey ticket prices are comparable, and I've regularly seen single tickets being sold for $10.
Posted by Chad | March 17, 2009 8:57 AM