Post by FinalFourJoe on Mar 12, 2018 19:19:36 GMT -8
I know everyone is geeked up over Houston right now, but I need to give one fan's re-cap of the weekend that was. Just got back this afternoon.
My main reason is for the people that have not gone to the conference tournament before. You need to go - it's the highlight of every season.
My crew (wife and friends) have gone every year since it returned from Denver in 2007. Yes, it was held in an empty arena in Denver for a couple of years.
We always book months early to arrive on Thursday morning. You never know where they will finish in the standings. About a month ago I texted my friend and said there is "no way" we will be playing on Friday night (for the first time since 2007 btw). They were in 8th place (Wed game & Thur noon game) and going nowhere. My wife was pissed we were going to a noon-time game.
What do you know, they finish 5th and are playing in the 4/5 game at 2:30pm. These are traditionally fun, close games. State came through against Fresno and the party was on. One takeaway: there were a lot more people from Reno than there was last year. They were in the noon game before-hand; and almost lost to UNLV which was also fun to watch.
All day Friday at the pool followed by a 6pm game. Arrive just early enough to grab some tickets from scalpers. Not a problem, but will be next year if Gonzaga and BYU join. Tickets will be at a premium. This was the most bizarre game I have seen in all the years at the tournament. Every time we looked at the scoreboard we couldn't believe it. We were sitting mostly around Wolfpack fans and everyone of their brains were melting. I've never seen so many "birds" given when a State player scored. It was great. Not only that, they wouldn't sell their Saturday tickets to Aztec fans after the game. That's supposed to be a tournament tradition. All we got were dirty looks and more cussing. Stayed long enough to see that New Mexico was having no problem with Utah State in the second semi-final.
Arrive for Saturday finals and find more scalper tickets. Always easier to get and with better seats than the Friday semis (two games). The lower bowl was mostly full and the place was very loud. New Mexico does bring the noise. It was one of the larger State crowds we've seen. Very rowdy crowd on both sides. Well, you all know how it turned out. It is sweet to win that last game after putting so much effort in for three days.
Bottom line is, start making your plans for next year!! FFJoe
My main reason is for the people that have not gone to the conference tournament before. You need to go - it's the highlight of every season.
My crew (wife and friends) have gone every year since it returned from Denver in 2007. Yes, it was held in an empty arena in Denver for a couple of years.
We always book months early to arrive on Thursday morning. You never know where they will finish in the standings. About a month ago I texted my friend and said there is "no way" we will be playing on Friday night (for the first time since 2007 btw). They were in 8th place (Wed game & Thur noon game) and going nowhere. My wife was pissed we were going to a noon-time game.
What do you know, they finish 5th and are playing in the 4/5 game at 2:30pm. These are traditionally fun, close games. State came through against Fresno and the party was on. One takeaway: there were a lot more people from Reno than there was last year. They were in the noon game before-hand; and almost lost to UNLV which was also fun to watch.
All day Friday at the pool followed by a 6pm game. Arrive just early enough to grab some tickets from scalpers. Not a problem, but will be next year if Gonzaga and BYU join. Tickets will be at a premium. This was the most bizarre game I have seen in all the years at the tournament. Every time we looked at the scoreboard we couldn't believe it. We were sitting mostly around Wolfpack fans and everyone of their brains were melting. I've never seen so many "birds" given when a State player scored. It was great. Not only that, they wouldn't sell their Saturday tickets to Aztec fans after the game. That's supposed to be a tournament tradition. All we got were dirty looks and more cussing. Stayed long enough to see that New Mexico was having no problem with Utah State in the second semi-final.
Arrive for Saturday finals and find more scalper tickets. Always easier to get and with better seats than the Friday semis (two games). The lower bowl was mostly full and the place was very loud. New Mexico does bring the noise. It was one of the larger State crowds we've seen. Very rowdy crowd on both sides. Well, you all know how it turned out. It is sweet to win that last game after putting so much effort in for three days.
Bottom line is, start making your plans for next year!! FFJoe
