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I have been waiting since my freshman year of 99 to have this discussion. How many board members will be going to the tourney? And how many can give us first timers some advice on tickets and travel?

Here are the 8 possible destinations and my personal rankings on where I want to go:
1) San Diego- I've had enough of the polar vortex! get me somewhere warm
2) Orlando- lots of flights there and more warm weather
3) Raleigh- some flights there and a great bball town, warm weather
4) Buffalo- closest destination, most Umass fans, jet blue goes direct
5) St. Louis- never been and don't want to start now
6) San Antonio- option to fly into Austin
7) Milwaukee- west of 128 is far for me, no idea where this even is
Spokane- only WA city I know is Seattle

Disclaimer: some board members will feel this topic is pre-mature, at 22-5 and rpi 13, we will be a lock in every bubble watch. If you are still nervous, please ignore this thread. Selection Sunday is 3/16, we will only have 3 or 4 days to make travel plans.

Are any Militia members planning on going? What is the student ticket situation? We need to get some students there as well as the hardcore season ticket holders. Will Umass offer a season ticket holder package? So many questions, hopefully this thread will supply some answers.

I would love to go anywhere they play but I would need help getting a ticket through umass because I am 3000 miles away and have zero points.

^me and the mrs

Orlando I can make.

As long as it's not Spokane or San Diego, I will be in attendance. That's just too hard to swing during the work week as I likely couldn't fly in day of (need to minimize using vacation days as much as possible).

Rooting for Milwaukee or St. Louis from a travel perspective (direct Southwest flights from NYC area) or Buffalo (likely have a ticket hookup).

Like many, I'll have my computer ready to go to quickly makes moves once the announcement is made.

hoping for Raleigh or Orlando. Been Waiting a long time for this

How difficult is it to get tickets? It seems a lot of the midweek early round games have lots of empty seats, so it can't be too hard to get in, can it?

I could make Buffalo. Other locations would cause budgetary concerns, but I'd certainly try.

Camby4Life wrote:Are any Militia members planning on going? What is the student ticket situation? We need to get some students there as well as the hardcore season ticket holders. Will Umass offer a season ticket holder package? So many questions, hopefully this thread will supply some answers.

Most of the core Militia members are planning on going wherever the games may be. Even overheard a random conversation at a cafe on campus before the VCU game between two kids talking about NCAA Tournament sites (specifically Buffalo & Milwaukee). Whenever we have discussed tourney tix with Athletics they have certainly alluded to there not being many available. Not sure how the whole system will work.

I am hoping for Raleigh (close enough for a road trip from MA, 10 hours), Buffalo (closest, drive), or San Diego (quick trip home to AZ and then drive over to San Diego, warm weather!).

I am going anywhere but Spokane for the first rounds... Really hoping we are in the east so that if we make it last two rounds we will be as MSG

If the UMass allotment is quickly gobbled up, would it be that much of an issue to secure seats? Those midweek games in destinations that are hosting teams from outside the region always look empty....... Praying for San Diego, that would be insane

Ron Burgundy wrote:If the UMass allotment is quickly gobbled up, would it be that much of an issue to secure seats? Those midweek games in destinations that are hosting teams from outside the region always look empty....... Praying for San Diego, that would be insane

I assume tickets will be fairly easy to obtain... On ticketmaster at face value.. I don't remember ever seeing anything close to a sellout in early round games

Just found out I have a friend I could crash with if the games are in Raleigh so that's my second definite 'yes' site.

I have been to San Antonio for a FF and a Regional Final. It's a great city to visit.
Those games were @ the Alamodome, a short walk from the Riverwalk.
This regional is at the Spurs arena @ E. San Antonio.
Best to fly into San Antonio (not Austin). Cheapest flights for Thur-Mon now upper $300s; United miles can work @ 25,000 as of today.

However, NCAA tries to keep first round teams closer to home re: cost control.

My parents already booked a hotel in Raleigh for two nights. I am hoping we play there or SD. SD is only a 5 hour car ride for me.