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Topic: Official MAC Tournament Travel Thread
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Ted Thompson
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Posted: 3/3/2012 8:28 PM
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Use this for any travel tips, ticket and Bobcat Bash info for the MAC Tournament. 

Ohio MAC Tourney Info

MAC Tournament Travel Guide

Get Ready for the Game at the Bobcat Bash!

Prior to each Men's MAC Tournament game, join fellow Ohio alumni, students and fans for the Bobcat Bash!  The event will be held at Zocalo Mexican Grill (2071 East Fourth Street), just two blocks from Quicken Loans Arena.  Enjoy FREE appetizers and special pregame appearances by the Marching 110, Rufus, and the Ohio Cheerleaders! If the Bobcats advance, times for the Bobcat Bash are as follows:

Thursday, March 8 (Quarterfinals) – 7:00 pm

Friday, March 9 (Semifinals) – 7:00 pm

Saturday, March 10 (Championship Game) – 6:00 pm

Men's MAC Basketball Tournament

Ohio Men’s Basketball has secured the #3 seed and a bye to the tournament quarterfinals. The ‘Cats will open play on Thursday, March 8 at 9:30 pm in Quicken Loans Arena. Should Ohio advance in the tournament, game times are as follows:

Semifinals: Friday, March 9 - 9:30 pm

Championship Game: Saturday, March 10 - 8:00 pm

To purchase tickets for Ohio’s tournament games, click here or call 800-575-CATS (2287). Please note that your credit card will only be charged for the rounds in which Ohio participates. All tickets purchased will be held at Will Call at the Ohio table in the Arcade Entrance of Quicken Loans Arena.

Current Ohio students with a valid student ID will receive tickets for the discounted rate of $10. Students can purchase tickets by calling 800-575-CATS (2287) or on gameday at Quicken Loans Arena.

All seating will be assigned based on Ohio Bobcat Club priority points.  A customer may purchase as many tickets as are available per round; however, only eight will be seated based upon priority points. 

 



mcbin
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Posted: 3/3/2012 9:31 PM
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I'm heading up on Wednesday for a day of basketball where I can sit back and enjoy without a major rooting interest... Anyone heading up early? 
UpSan Bobcat
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Posted: 3/3/2012 10:00 PM
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My wife and I are heading up Wednesday. Would like to make it for the women's game but I don't think we'll get there that soon.

Probably going to get a full tournament package for my wife. I'll have a credential. Liked the seats in the cheapest Gold package but that unfortunately requires a purchase of four tickets.

Also what kind of hotel deals has anyone heard of? I've heard a radio commercail for the Hilton Garden Inn for $99/night including parking and breakfast for two. They also have free Internet. However, when we called, they weren't sure of the details and said to call back Monday.
JSF
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Posted: 3/4/2012 12:46 AM
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Did you get the media hotel notice?

I'll be up Thursday. Lizard?
UpSan Bobcat
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Posted: 3/4/2012 10:42 AM
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The media hotel info is Residence Inn at $114/night plus $16/day for parking. I'm hoping to do better than that.
Alan Swank
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Posted: 3/4/2012 11:50 AM
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UpSan Bobcat wrote:expand_more
My wife and I are heading up Wednesday. Would like to make it for the women's game but I don't think we'll get there that soon.

Probably going to get a full tournament package for my wife. I'll have a credential. Liked the seats in the cheapest Gold package but that unfortunately requires a purchase of four tickets.

Also what kind of hotel deals has anyone heard of? I've heard a radio commercail for the Hilton Garden Inn for $99/night including parking and breakfast for two. They also have free Internet. However, when we called, they weren't sure of the details and said to call back Monday.


When did you hear this and on what radio station?
UpSan Bobcat
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Posted: 3/4/2012 12:26 PM
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Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
My wife and I are heading up Wednesday. Would like to make it for the women's game but I don't think we'll get there that soon.

Probably going to get a full tournament package for my wife. I'll have a credential. Liked the seats in the cheapest Gold package but that unfortunately requires a purchase of four tickets.

Also what kind of hotel deals has anyone heard of? I've heard a radio commercail for the Hilton Garden Inn for $99/night including parking and breakfast for two. They also have free Internet. However, when we called, they weren't sure of the details and said to call back Monday.


When did you hear this and on what radio station?


WKNR 850 ESPN Radio Cleveland last week. It was a real quick maybe 15 second spot and I had trouble catching all the details the first couple of times. I think Thursday evening was the last time I heard it but I haven't really listened since then.

ts1227
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Posted: 3/4/2012 8:02 PM
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If you don't mind a short 8 mile drive/won't be getting hammered on $8 beer, the Embassy Suites in Independence is $85/night. It's a pretty nice hotel, you can hit up the Manager's Reception at 5:30 on your way out, and their free breakfast is awesome.

In addition, if you're flexible you can usually lowball the hell out of hotels in Independence using Priceline Name Your Own Price. I've stayed in a 3 star hotel there for $35 on a Friday/Saturday (Holiday Inn), and you can sometimes get a 3.5 star (Embassy, Doubletree, few others) for $50-60.

I know last year thanks to anorris a few of us landed the Crowne Plaza up in Cleveland for $58 via Hotwire (it was one of those where you don't know the hotel until you purchase deals).  There is currently one of these Hotwire deals for an Independence 3.5 star hotel for $52/night.  As I mentioned above, what is GENERALLY considered 3.5 star in Independence is Embassy Suites, Doubletree, or Crowne Plaza. Maybe Hyatt Place.

EDIT: If someone buys that $52 hotel in Independence on Hotwire, post which one it is for the rest of us.
Last Edited: 3/4/2012 10:17:20 PM by ts1227
Jeff McKinney
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Posted: 3/4/2012 9:57 PM
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Very rough going with Priceline bidding tonight.  Wow...
anorris
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Posted: 3/5/2012 2:57 AM
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ts1227 wrote:expand_more
I know last year thanks to anorris a few of us landed the Crowne Plaza up in Cleveland for $58 via Hotwire (it was one of those where you don't know the hotel until you purchase deals).  There is currently one of these Hotwire deals for an Independence 3.5 star hotel for $52/night.  As I mentioned above, what is GENERALLY considered 3.5 star in Independence is Embassy Suites, Doubletree, or Crowne Plaza. Maybe Hyatt Place.
Searched my email for the receipt, it was $54/night + bed tax.  Hotwire now looks to have listed two star at $54 and three star at $78 if you search just in the "downtown Cleveland" area on their site -- most of those are decently walkable from the Q.

PS: Avoid the "University Hotel And Suites."  At $60, you're grossly overpaying for the accommodations IMO.  The property's redeeming value is that it looked the other way two years ago and knowingly booked a room to me when I was under 21, thus allowing me to watch the wonderful '10 championship game.
Last Edited: 3/5/2012 3:03:34 AM by anorris
Jim G
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Posted: 3/5/2012 10:14 AM
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in years past i've got hotel deals for under $50 for downtown using priceline and a site called betterbidding.com no such luck this year

UpSan Bobcat
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Posted: 3/5/2012 10:23 AM
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UpSan Bobcat wrote:expand_more

My wife and I are heading up Wednesday. Would like to make it for the women's game but I don't think we'll get there that soon.

Probably going to get a full tournament package for my wife. I'll have a credential. Liked the seats in the cheapest Gold package but that unfortunately requires a purchase of four tickets.

Also what kind of hotel deals has anyone heard of? I've heard a radio commercail for the Hilton Garden Inn for $99/night including parking and breakfast for two. They also have free Internet. However, when we called, they weren't sure of the details and said to call back Monday.


When did you hear this and on what radio station?


WKNR 850 ESPN Radio Cleveland last week. It was a real quick maybe 15 second spot and I had trouble catching all the details the first couple of times. I think Thursday evening was the last time I heard it but I haven't really listened since then.



Finally talked to someone about the deal today and was told it was for groups only. After getting the run-around about it for so many days, I didn't bother asking any more about it and will be going a different direction for sure.

I ended up booking the 3 1/2 star Crowne Plaza Hotel Cleveland South - Independence for $47/night through Priceline Name Your Own Price. The 10-mile drive and parking will be a slight inconvenience, but worth it altogether in my opinion.
Last Edited: 3/5/2012 11:41:39 AM by UpSan Bobcat
JSF
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Posted: 3/5/2012 12:13 PM
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Again: Lizard?
UpSan Bobcat
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Posted: 3/5/2012 12:26 PM
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JSF wrote:expand_more
Again: Lizard?

My wife and I would be up for it.
Chicken George
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Posted: 3/5/2012 5:39 PM
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Assuming price is not the determining point, what are the 3-4 best hotel choices for downtown Cleveland for MAC Tournament convenience?
UpSan Bobcat
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Posted: 3/5/2012 8:14 PM
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Chicken George wrote:expand_more
Assuming price is not the determining point, what are the 3-4 best hotel choices for downtown Cleveland for MAC Tournament convenience?


The Ritz Carlton probably is the most luxurious hotel in downtown and is only about four blocks, but it's also really, really expensive. The Reinaissance, Hyatt Regency and Mariott all are 4-star hotels within about five blocks.

With a lower price and 3-star rating, the Radison is just about a block and a half from the arena. The Residence Inn and Holiday Inn are just a couple blocks and are 3-star hotels.

There are a lot of other 3-star and 2-star hotels in downtown but all are a little farther away (but mostly within a half-mile). I can't really say how the hotels actually stack up compared to their ratings because I've never stayed in any of them, but that's how they rate and where they are in relation to the arena.
mcbin
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Posted: 3/5/2012 9:57 PM
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UpSan Bobcat wrote:expand_more
Again: Lizard?

My wife and I would be up for it.

Sorry, I thought it was assumed. I'll be there.

Jeff McKinney
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Posted: 3/6/2012 12:14 AM
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Successful downtown three star blind bid for $90.  
roar-room
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Posted: 3/6/2012 12:29 PM
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.
Last Edited: 3/6/2012 2:26:29 PM by roar-room
Jim G
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Posted: 3/6/2012 12:47 PM
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I got the Hilton Garden Inn for $65 a night using priceline. It's 3 block from the Q but only a 3 star hotel.
Bob Haldeman
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Posted: 3/6/2012 1:21 PM
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I will be in town and awesome by midday Wednesday........those in the know can buzz me here or text/tweet me. Think I am at ResInn this year.
Jeff McKinney
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Posted: 3/6/2012 1:40 PM
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Anybody traveling from the southern Ohio area to Cleveland on Friday?  If so, please send me a PM.  Thanks.
UpSan Bobcat
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Posted: 3/6/2012 4:06 PM
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Jim G wrote:expand_more
I got the Hilton Garden Inn for $65 a night using priceline. It's 3 block from the Q but only a 3 star hotel.


I actually went up to $70/night and could not get a 3 star or higher downtown on Priceline but I think it's because of going for Wednesday. Hotwire deals were a lot better when I excluded Wednesday night.
Jeff McKinney
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Posted: 3/6/2012 5:23 PM
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I think UpSan is correct about Wednesday. 
JSF
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Posted: 3/8/2012 12:21 AM
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Approximate gathering time?
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