Tickets

[muguru]

I'm not going to Greensville, but I'm curious how people do this and it will be good data for me for future years. As far as flights go..how do you book? What I mean is..I'm the type that if MU lost Friday..I'd have NO desire to stay till Monday amongst all the "winning" teams fans. So in this instance, I'd want to head back as early as I could Saturday. But, you can't really anticipate them losing Friday at the original time of booking. So I assume a one way is really the only option? Thats so expensive.

Same with hotels..for something like this..could you just book one night, then if they won, just extend it by a night? Seems tricky to me on both fronts.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I'm not going to Greensville, but I'm curious how people do this and it will be good data for me for future years. As far as flights go..how do you book? What I mean is..I'm the type that if MU lost Friday..I'd have NO desire to stay till Monday amongst all the "winning" teams fans. So in this instance, I'd want to head back as early as I could Saturday. But, you can't really anticipate them losing Friday at the original time of booking. So I assume a one way is really the only option? Thats so expensive.

Same with hotels..for something like this..could you just book one night, then if they won, just extend it by a night? Seems tricky to me on both fronts.

Hotels usually have 24 hour cancellations.  For the flights my guess is a book it out to Sunday, and then if they lose you stay, or you try to switch the flights. Good question though.

I wish I could go. Just too short notice, plus I did NYC in November, Maui next next November, and made it down to Milwaukee a few times.  I also am completely obsessed with the first weekend of the NCAA tournament, that I'd almost rather watch on TV so I could catch the other games.  S16 or E8 would be easier for me. That said...I wish I was going!

[95 Warrior]

Long-time reader, logged in to post on this thread.

I've been to a number of "remote" NCAA MU events and I've never had any difficulty getting seats direct through MU (although I am a ST Holder). Not only are there plenty of tickets, they are often outstanding seats relatively close to the court.  '07 in NC was great except for the MSU part of it.  UNC was there and literally filled the place after we left, but didn't come much before their game.  I've never been to an event in the Midwest with larger ticket requests so can't speak to those.

As for planning, I select sites I can go to and then book hotels in two or three cities before the selection show, then cancel the un-needed ones.  Demand rises after.  I make a long weekend out of it so only checked out once early, in NC I think.  No issues from the hotel as lots of people request, but that may be unique.  Remember they will have fans coming into town from the winning teams as well.  I tend to select locations I can drive too to avoid airfare.  Out West now I have enjoyed the recent placement out here (San Jose, Anaheim), and thought it was going to go that way again.

Nice alumni events at the team hotel prior to the game, so if you are going, check it out. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

You can cancel and switch on Southwest without a fee. Points is another way.

Also, Anthony Travel or other school travel agencies hold many rooms and then release them right before if not booked through them but the price is driven up right before.

As to the win or lose nature, go to a spot that is interesting. D.C. was great as there is plenty to do. MU lacrosse was also playing Georgetown. If MU loses there is still interesting things at hand.

Sunday games are problematic with work on Monday. Game could be at 12:30 or prime time evening which there were a lot of games last year. Last year, in this case, a Duke vs. MU game most likely will be an evening game so you have to hedge.

Greenville sucks as the airports are quite a distance. Only things to do are drinking or hiking. Making sure the game is over with enough time to fly out Sunday night is near impossible. But, if you miss the game to get home, what is the point? I remember Cleveland was a late night game and folks drove home all night through an ice storm. But if fans left early they would have missed a Top 10 MU all-time finish and game. Beating the Whiner was special.

The sudden death format is a killer to the budget and psyche but the reward is the lifetime memories. It is fun to commiserate with other schools' fans and coaches/players. Driving provides more flexibility but MU seldom is put in the Midwest Regional (2003).

[GGGG]

I would look at booking to Atlanta until Monday.  Flights are pretty cheap and non stop from most places.  Drive up to Greenville is about two and a half hours.

If MU loses on Friday, I would check out of my hotel on Saturday and drive the scenic route to Chattanooga and spend the rest of the weekend there.  Great place to hang out, hike, drink, etc.  Head to Atlanta Monday and fly home.

[Dr. Blackheart]

If MU loses on Friday, I would check out of my hotel on Saturday and drive the scenic route to Chattanooga and spend the rest of the weekend there.  Great place to hang out, hike, drink, etc.  Head to Atlanta Monday and fly home.

Only problem, hotels are demanding and getting two night minimums with no cancellation. With Duke and UNC fans and their seeds, their fans don't have a problem agreeing to that. Greenville is the size of Evanston or Ann Arbor at about ~100k.

[Sir Lawrence]

  Even the Swamp Rabbit Inn (WTF kind of hotel name is that?) is booked.

The "Swamp Rabbits" is a hockey team that plays in the Bon Secours Wellness Arena .  And I guess the hockey team is named after a former railroad with that name.  I will grant you this:  that's one odd name for a hotel, railroad or hockey team, but it has more character than the "Golden Eagles."

[GGGG]

Only problem, hotels are demanding and getting two night minimums with no cancellation. With Duke and UNC fans and their seeds, their fans don't have a problem agreeing to that. Greenville is the size of Evanston or Ann Arbor at about ~100k.

Hmmm.

Well then I would bum around that part of South Carolina and just find something to do. 

[muguru]

The thing is..I'm not a sight seer or one that likes to hangout at bars or anything. I treat NCAA games like a business trip..I'm not there for pleasure. My focus is on the game(s) only. If they lost first night..I'd have NO desire to hang out all weekend, miserable and down from the loss.

I agree with JJJ..for me one of the big downsides of going to 1st and 2nd round is not being able to see any of the other games. Thats my biggest enjoyment..watching all the games. Heck even if I did go to a site and MU won their first game..all I'd do on the day in between is stay in my room and watch all the games that day and stay focused on why I'm there.

[MU82]

FYI, everybody still looking for tix ...

I just now got a call from MU asking if I still wanted to buy any for Friday's game.

I got mine from a fellow Scooper who had an extra, so I didn't need any from the school, but obviously they've still got some to sell.

I am neither a season-ticket holder nor a big donor, so they're now calling regular schlubs.

[JD]

I would look at booking to Atlanta until Monday.  Flights are pretty cheap and non stop from most places.  Drive up to Greenville is about two and a half hours.

If MU loses on Friday, I would check out of my hotel on Saturday and drive the scenic route to Chattanooga and spend the rest of the weekend there.  Great place to hang out, hike, drink, etc.  Head to Atlanta Monday and fly home.

I second this Doc.

I almost bought a house there.   Wouldn't mind buying a vacation home there when my wallet allows it.

[Dr. Blackheart]

The thing is..I'm not a sight seer or one that likes to hangout at bars or anything. I treat NCAA games like a business trip..I'm not there for pleasure. My focus is on the game(s) only. If they lost first night..I'd have NO desire to hang out all weekend, miserable and down from the loss.

I agree with JJJ..for me one of the big downsides of going to 1st and 2nd round is not being able to see any of the other games. Thats my biggest enjoyment..watching all the games. Heck even if I did go to a site and MU won their first game..all I'd do on the day in between is stay in my room and watch all the games that day and stay focused on why I'm there.

The thing about the bars even if you don't imbibe, is you can hang with the broadcasters, press, old timers, coaches, etc. It is a pretty cool and insightful time if you love hoops. UNC and Duke fans are very informed and may know about Marquette than many MU fans.

At the Wooden at Disney I was handing with the ESPN guys on one side and the Creighton AD and McDermott on the other getting quizzed on MU and the Big East. Buzz was leterally in the room next to me. When Raf holds court it is special. Decourcy or Goodman, etc.

[muguru]

The thing about the bars even if you don't imbibe, is you can hang with the broadcasters, press, old timers, coaches, etc. It is a pretty cool and insightful time if you love hoops. UNC and Duke fans are very informed and may know about Marquette than many MU fans.

At the Wooden at Disney I was handing with the ESPN guys on one side and the Creighton AD and McDermott on the other getting quizzed on MU and the Big East. Buzz was leterally in the room next to me. When Raf holds court it is special. Decourcy or Goodman, etc.

That might be pretty cool, but I'm not one to "put on ah appy excited face" after a loss. I'd just want to get home to my own elements as soon as i could.

[GGGG]

To be honest you should probably just save the money and stay home.

[warriorchick]

That might be pretty cool, but I'm not one to "put on ah appy excited face" after a loss. I'd just want to get home to my own elements as soon as i could.

I don't know....when glow and his buddy were hanging out in bars in Lexington a few years back Allle LaForce kept showing up.  They were both convinced she was stalking them.   

[Dr. Blackheart]

To be honest you should probably just save the money and stay home.

For sure, every session, 50% of the teams go home. So one out of four teams leave happy every weekend. If you can't enjoy the ambiance or experience, the trip isn't worth it.

[muguru]

I don't know....when glow and his buddy were hanging out in bars in Lexington a few years back Allle LaForce kept showing up.  They were both convinced she was stalking them.   

Now Allie I could be social with! 

[jsglow]

I don't know....when glow and his buddy were hanging out in bars in Lexington a few years back Allle LaForce kept showing up.  They were both convinced she was stalking them.   

[geps]

Cheapest ticket on vivid seats now $290. Wut?

[BobWildLoyalist]

I saw on twitter tickets through MU have sold out. Hopefully we have a good crowd in attendance. Anyone know how many tickets each school is allotted? 

[warriorchick]

Cheapest ticket on vivid seats now $290. Wut?

I blame Big Tobacco.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I saw on twitter tickets through MU have sold out. Hopefully we have a good crowd in attendance. Anyone know how many tickets each school is allotted?

450-500 per school

[bradley center bat]

MU Ticket Office‏ @MUTicketOffice  · 2m2 minutes ago 
#mubb fans, we are officially out of our ticket allotment for Friday's game in Greenville, SC.  #WeAreMarquette

[Benny B]

450-500 per school

Actual allocation might be even more... there's 650+ seats just in Sections 112 & 113.  With a few more rows upstairs in 218, maybe around 700.  But when you take out tickets for players' families, staff, all of Broeker's tailor's second and third cousins from the old country, and then how ever many students show up, you probably end up with around 500 going to peasants like us.

In any event, quite impressive that MU sold out two days prior (which I presume means we didn't have to give any back).

[BossplayaOtto]

Actual allocation might be even more... there's 650+ seats just in Sections 112 & 113.  With a few more rows upstairs in 218, maybe around 700.  But when you take out tickets for players' families, staff, all of Broeker's tailor's second and third cousins from the old country, and then how ever many students show up, you probably end up with around 500 going to peasants like us.

In any event, quite impressive that MU sold out two days prior (which I presume means we didn't have to give any back).

Hope I'm wrong here, but since Marquette did not sell all of their ticket allotment solely to STHs and Members of the Blue & Gold Fund (as reported by others on this site who requested and received tix from Marquette), it is conceivable that Cock and Dook Fans scooped up some of Marquette's allotment by buying directly from us.

Guess we'll have to wait for reports from Scoopers in attendance at the game to know for sure.

Love March Madness, but Friday night can't get here fast enough!!