Big East tourney tickets on pre-sale

[96warrior]

Got the notice that the Big East tournament tickets are available via advance sale through Marquette. Wondering if it's worth it to buy them now, or to wait and get them closer to the time. Anyone been to the tourney and have advice? I've heard it's easy to get tickets on site for cheaper than what these pre-sales go for, and that the seats might be better. I don't want to spend $400 now and end up in the bleeders while the seats in the lower bowl are empty. If anyone has any advice, would greatly appreciate it!

Not sure if this belongs in the Superbar, feel free to bump it over if so. Thanks.

[Freeport Warrior]

I'm debating the same thing, leaning toward scalping. I did the tourney three years ago and bought tickets through MU. Seats were decent, but that was when our company was donating bigger bucks to the B&G fund. I understand the tickets are dispersed according to demand and points. Game demand is all dependent upon who is playing -- seems like there are always open seats and plenty of people moving up to squat in other people's seats when their team is done playing. In general, people don't care about MU -- seems like UConn, Cuse, GT and ND are the teams people want to see. If there are non-elite teams in the games, the ticket prices are cheaper per session. I think I sold my championship game ticket to a guy for $25.

The reason I am leaning to scalping is I'm thinking at minimum we are a 5-8 sead (which then starts on Weds). If we get a 4 seed, it's Thurs.  Regardless of seed, you pay for all sessions, including Tuesday. I want the flexibility to book last minute. Flights into NYC are always cheap. The team hotel, via the MU email, looks to be the Roosevelt. It's like a run-down Pfister. We stayed there last time and it was WVirginia's team hotel. I see the MU rate is $20 less than hotels.com. Huggie Bear was holding court in the lobby bar every night with alum.

Since we have only one more year of the true BE after this, and I think this is the best team we are going to have for some time, I'm thinking I have to go. It is a blast and much better than the Vegas NCAA tourney experience in my opinion.

[96warrior]

Cool, thanks for the thoughts. I'm thinking the exact same way you are and am thinking to just scalp. I'm not worried about paying for all of the games - I actually want to see the whole run, since this is the last year of the Big East as we currently know it. I just don't want to pay a lot now for seats that aren't that great and then be ticked at myself for not waiting for better seats at a cheaper price.

Of course, this might also come back to bite me...but leaning towards flexibility of not having tickets just yet.

[Zar Zar Binks]

Glad you posted this topic. I've been going through the same internal debate. I'm really looking forward to going this year (my first time) and am looking for all the advice I can get

[Golden Avalanche]

Glad you posted this topic. I've been going through the same internal debate. I'm really looking forward to going this year (my first time) and am looking for all the advice I can get

It's a great event. A full day takes a lot of effort. That sounds funny but its true. The afternoon sessions can be tricky only because the teams tend to suck and have brought little amount of fans. The good news is it gives you time to sneak around the Garden, which is truly a magical place -- especially now after the renovations.

On the flip side, there's nothing quite like a buzzworthy night session at the Garden. The entire area around the arena is on edge and you can feel all those eyes looking down on the teams. Great spots to tipple, plenty of street meat, and always the best, lots to look at when you attend the Tournament.

[PickNRoll]

Does anyone have an idea how high you have to be in the donor/season ticket holder pecking order to have a shot at getting tickets through MU?  I'm thinking someone who isn't a long time season ticket holder and/or big buck donor may not have much of a chance.  Also, if you go through MU and actually are picked, are you obligated to take the tickets?

[augoman]

Every year that I've bought them as a season ticket holder you must pay for them when ordering. 

[WarhawkWarrior]

I'm in -- ordered 3 sets yesterday and booked my flights ($250 for flights)
This will be year #5.  Best tourney in the nation.

[WarhawkWarrior]

My seats were great last year.

[96warrior]

Thanks for the info, everyone - see you there!

[BCHoopster]

what are the face value of tickets for that event?  Went to Stubhub, seemed expensive!

[onetime]

I went strictly through StubHub last year and thought prices were very reasonable. $20 for Tues, $40 For Wed and $60 for Thurs, never worse than the 200 level.  Of course, not playing Cuse, StJ or Uconn had something to do w/ that as well.  The Stub Hub setup was well organized- I would have no problem using them again

[wardle2wade]

what are the face value of tickets for that event?  Went to Stubhub, seemed expensive!

Each session is a different price with the Championship game being the most... $90 maybe?  

Be careful following Stubhub pricing and believing you can get that amount... that is just what people are asking for them.  Do not assume they are actually being sold at that price.  Many people have the same reaction as you (expensive) and hold off.  To make it worse, a lot brokers use stubhub as well to sell, so the prices tend to be far from actual market value.  The BET inventory will rise as schools sell their allotments to fans, prices will soften, and stabilize closer to gameday usually.  If you wait too long and the brackets are out, some games will bump back up as Cuse or Uconn fans try to get tix.

Personally, I like getting a ticket outside MSG... always a fun time and never felt like I overpaid.  Fyi, the MSG scalpers don't take credit cards or checks.

[Freeport Warrior]

Tickets way cheaper outside MSG.

[muzzwilliams]

I would check out seatgeek.com