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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: OT: NCAA Tournament tickets
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GoCats105
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Posted: 1/29/2015 3:51 PM
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First (well, 2nd and 3rd) round sites in Pittsburgh, Columbus and Louisville this year means I've got a pretty good chance at going in person. Sweet 16 in Cleveland is even better.

Other than the times Ohio has been there, does anyone know how hard it is to scalp tickets for decent prices outside the arena? I thought about buying tickets for the whole session, but they are either too pricey or not good seats. And I would think the ushers would be cracking down on anyone trying to move around.

Is it worth my time to head over to Pittsburgh and try to catch games on a Thursday? Or is the bar with multiple TVs just as good?
Ted Thompson
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Posted: 1/29/2015 4:09 PM
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GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
First (well, 2nd and 3rd) round sites in Pittsburgh, Columbus and Louisville this year means I've got a pretty good chance at going in person. Sweet 16 in Cleveland is even better.

Other than the times Ohio has been there, does anyone know how hard it is to scalp tickets for decent prices outside the arena? I thought about buying tickets for the whole session, but they are either too pricey or not good seats. And I would think the ushers would be cracking down on anyone trying to move around.

Is it worth my time to head over to Pittsburgh and try to catch games on a Thursday? Or is the bar with multiple TVs just as good?


I kind of like being in the arena for games. As for scarcity, it really depends on what teams are there. In general, it has been my experience that you can usually get in for less than face value for the afternoon sessions. In Dayton, you could usually pay half-price for the afternoon session. When Ohio was in Nashville, I paid $20 for the afternoon session and I think face was $60. Evenings are full boat unless a local team (or Kentucky) is playing. The Saturday/Sunday games are usually 2X face unless it is a big arena.

Consol (Pittsburgh) seats 19K for hoops so I wouldn't think tickets would be an issue, especially for Thursday's games.

Pete Chouteau
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Posted: 1/29/2015 8:27 PM
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The flow of the game in the arena is GLACIAL.

They don't sell beer.
RSBobcat
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Posted: 1/29/2015 9:15 PM
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If there is an exodus of big school fans after a loss before Sunday - you can get tics face value or less because they wanna get home, or do anything else besides go to the Sunday game. Stand outside the door and look for big school losing team gear attired fans - make them a face value offer.
JSF
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Posted: 1/29/2015 10:09 PM
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Pete Chouteau wrote:expand_more
The flow of the game in the arena is GLACIAL.

They don't sell beer.
The NCAA does a great job of making attending games not fun. If there is a great game going, or if Ohio is playing, it's fun. Otherwise, it's rather cynical.
The Optimist
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Posted: 1/29/2015 10:55 PM
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RSBobcat wrote:expand_more
If there is an exodus of big school fans after a loss before Sunday - you can get tics face value or less because they wanna get home.

Ditto for small school fans following an overtime loss...
lovebobcat
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Posted: 1/29/2015 10:59 PM
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Pete Chouteau wrote:expand_more
They don't sell beer.
I think that depends upon the arena. I had quite a few beers at the arena in Nashville when our boys were there in 2012.
bobcat695
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Posted: 1/29/2015 11:07 PM
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I've watched tourney games in lots of venues, but nothing beats being in one of the big sports books in Vegas. The excitement level in the last two minutes of a close game is unreal.
GoCats105
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Posted: 1/30/2015 7:22 AM
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bobcat695 wrote:expand_more
I've watched tourney games in lots of venues, but nothing beats being in one of the big sports books in Vegas. The excitement level in the last two minutes of a close game is unreal.
Some of my buddies go to Vegas every year for it and I guess it's insane.

From what I've been reading elsewhere, it looks like the Thursday afternoon sessions are the easiest to get tickets for, since most people are "working" and they are harder to sell. It's one of those things where I feel like I have to see it at least once.
OUVan
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Posted: 1/30/2015 8:37 AM
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bobcat695 wrote:expand_more
I've watched tourney games in lots of venues, but nothing beats being in one of the big sports books in Vegas. The excitement level in the last two minutes of a close game is unreal.
Absolutely, I've done it many times and I recommend that everyone do it at least once. It's the only time you'll hear a guy scream at a team winning by 14 in the last minute "come on, play some effing defense." We were staying at the Mirage one year and we got up at 6am to head down to the sports book and all the seats were already taken. Ended up finding seats all the way down at New York, New York. Have a great time every time I go.
bobcat695
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Posted: 1/30/2015 9:33 AM
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I go every year for Conference Championship Week instead of the 1st weekend of NCAA tourney. There are more games and less bros. It's tough to skip the MAC tourney, but Vegas is much better than Cleveland in March.
Recovering Journalist
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Posted: 1/30/2015 11:18 AM
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bobcat695 wrote:expand_more
I go every year for Conference Championship Week instead of the 1st weekend of NCAA tourney. There are more games and less bros. It's tough to skip the MAC tourney, but Vegas is much better than Cleveland in March.
This isn't a bad idea. Especially this year, as I think the only Bobcats in Cleveland will be female.
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Posted: 1/30/2015 11:43 AM
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This will be my 6th or 7th year in Vegas. Yes, lots of bros. Yes, lots of beer. Yes, lots of crowd. Yes, lots of $ will be lost. But if you can do this, even once, it is such a thrill. Good point on conference week - I'd like to try that one year... As long as I can get a guaranteed TV for MAC games.

As for tournament sites, I did Nashville '05 and a random Cleveland year... like '09-ish. It's only fun if a team you really like is playing. You should be able to scalp for face value or less on Thursday/Friday unless UK is there. The second round games will go for more than face in most cases. Even with Ohio State in Cleveland as a 1-seed that year I went, they were below face value on the day of the game. I suggest anyone thinking of doing this take a look at Bracketology. It is early, but you get an idea of you are going to be seeing. To me, it is just meh to think about watching an average game live while a game you are interested in is on TV. I spent at least half the time in Cleveland out on the concourse in a spot where I could see all 4 games at once. But maybe the live action floats your boat more than watching 4 games on TV...
OU_Country
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Posted: 1/30/2015 12:07 PM
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ouallday wrote:expand_more
This will be my 6th or 7th year in Vegas. Yes, lots of bros. Yes, lots of beer. Yes, lots of crowd. Yes, lots of $ will be lost. But if you can do this, even once, it is such a thrill. Good point on conference week - I'd like to try that one year... As long as I can get a guaranteed TV for MAC games.

As for tournament sites, I did Nashville '05 and a random Cleveland year... like '09-ish. It's only fun if a team you really like is playing. You should be able to scalp for face value or less on Thursday/Friday unless UK is there. The second round games will go for more than face in most cases. Even with Ohio State in Cleveland as a 1-seed that year I went, they were below face value on the day of the game. I suggest anyone thinking of doing this take a look at Bracketology. It is early, but you get an idea of you are going to be seeing. To me, it is just meh to think about watching an average game live while a game you are interested in is on TV. I spent at least half the time in Cleveland out on the concourse in a spot where I could see all 4 games at once. But maybe the live action floats your boat more than watching 4 games on TV...

While watching on TV is be better for the most part, you can't replace the thrill of being in the building, and experiencing the roar and support of the crowd when a mid-major/underdog is pushing towards an upset.
The Optimist
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Posted: 1/30/2015 1:26 PM
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If you haven't done the MAC tournament in awhile, I would recommend you do it once. Probably not this year... But when Ohio is actually good. The combination of Cleveland's downtown coming on strong along with the Bobcat fanbase travelling so well has made it a great atmosphere.

Downtown around The Q is only getting better too... If the extension of East 4th goes in as planned..... Jeez.
OUcats82
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Posted: 1/30/2015 1:41 PM
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It will be ten years this March since my last attendance in person but watching us roar back from 19 down to beat Buffalo via "and Williams tips it in!" will be an experience I will never forget. Especially after having been there the year we lost to Fiami by the late 3 by Grunk.
OU_Country
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Posted: 1/30/2015 3:17 PM
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The Optimist wrote:expand_more
If you haven't done the MAC tournament in awhile, I would recommend you do it once. Probably not this year... But when Ohio is actually good. The combination of Cleveland's downtown coming on strong along with the Bobcat fanbase travelling so well has made it a great atmosphere.

Downtown around The Q is only getting better too... If the extension of East 4th goes in as planned..... Jeez.

I agree. Depending on who ends up in the finals, even if it's not Ohio, I'm considering driving up Saturday just for the day. Well worth the trip for sure. I've been up there maybe three of the last 6 years. Friday and Saturday are a great time!
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