Okay guys. We know that we'll be playing Friday, March 15th in the semifinal. This thread is intended to match up possible housing in or around Cleveland with students willing to go. So, here's what I would like to happen:

Those of you with housing and room: Tell us how many you would be willing to take in, and where you're located.

Those of you who need rooms: Post how many people are in your party. Bold the actual number.

I'll start it off. Me and two of my O Zone leader buddies are trying to go to the game, and are trying to keep a hotel as a last option. Would anyone be able to house 3 rowdy O Zoners for one night?

Thanks. Bobcat Connection, engage!

Bump.

I highly suggest naming your own price on Priceline.com, setting the star level so you end up with a decent place, and splitting it with a couple of friends. I usually book in Cleveland over MAC Tourney weekend for about $75 a night, so I would think if you're splitting it 3 or 4 ways, that'll probably fit into the budget alright.

That hotel location is good for $70, but it's not ideal for a group of kids wanting to enjoy pre- and post-game festivities. Downtown gets less and less lively as you pass E. 9th (the University Hotel is at E. 36th). Cleveland State has helped that part of Euclid, but 36th is just past campus and getting into a bit of a no man's land. It's not particularly unsafe, but it's pretty isolated, and you won't find too much around there in the way of entertainment. I'd also recommend either a cab or bus to get to and from the arena. If you're looking to enjoy a beer or six, some good restaurants, the casino, etc., you want to be within easy walking distance of the arena.

If you're on a budget and want to drink responsibly without taking a cab, you can stay at the La Quinta or Airport Marriott just off W. 150th and take the train to and from the arena (staying inside the whole way).

I know you've rebooked, but I stayed here with my fiance in 2010 when we needed a hotel last-minute that would rent a cheap room to two under-21 kids, and it was adequate but far from luxurious.

In 2011, we got a Hotwire Hot Rate for the Crowne Plaza for $54 a night, which was tremendous for location, amenities, and price, but I see it's in the process of being gutted and redone as a Westin.

Glancing at list pricing for hotels in the area, downtown is a bit pricier, but allows you to walk everywhere you'll want to go. Keep parking in mind as you shop around or Priceline, many of these hotels will charge you an arm and a leg to park, and you'll probably be better off parking in a public garage nearby. Somebody here gave me a tip on that for 2011 -- McKinney, maybe?

Another option, if you want the dirt-cheap room, would be to stay at the University Inn and leave your car there (parking was free when we stayed, but I'd double-check) and take the HealthLine bus rapid-transit line downtown. Stops right outside the hotel, then get off at 4th and Euclid (right by Zocalo for the pregame bash) or Tower City and walk to the Q. $2.25 a ride or $5 for a day pass, certainly much cheaper than parking pretty much anywhere downtown. I haven't personally ridden it, but I've heard good things, and it does run 24/7 -- every 15 minutes or more frequent during the day, every 30 at night (11p-5a) -- so even if you close out the bars, it will be running to cover the mile-and-a-half down Euclid.

It's a great event for a really affordable price -- hope you all have fun. I'd highly recommend the Zocalo pre-game bashes, lots of great (and free!) food there. Also highly recommend Dave's Cosmic Subs on 6th. Stumbled upon it last time I went to the tournament, loved the food and the vibe. The place would be totally at home on Court Street (and the guy who was in there when we went was an alum - not sure if he was the proprietor or not, though).

Dave's is great. It's actually a local chain. I've never gone to the one Downtown, but I've been to the ones in Coventry and Kent. You're right about it fitting in on Court Street.

If you love food, and you don't make it up to Cleveland too often, you really owe it to yourself to go to the Melt Bar & Grilled. It's been featured on all those Food Network and Travel Channel shows, and rightly so. They're up to four locations now, but is my favorite (and the closest to Downtown) is the Eastside one on Cedar & Taylor in Cleveland Heights. I'll be there Saturday afternoon before the championship. Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time because the lines can be kind of ridiculous.

Haha luckily I found something even cheaper and closer to downtown at the Comfort Inn. Thanks for the heads up