GLENDALE – Unexpected stories come out of March Madness every year. Whether it’s No. 16 seed UMBC beating No. 1 seed Virginia in 2018 or No. 15 Saint Peter’s making a run to the Elite Eight in 2021, fans are always in for a surprise.
Crazy moments happen off the court, too. After clinching its second consecutive berth to the Men’s Final Four and looking to win its second national championship in as many years, the UConn Huskies encountered challenges traveling to Phoenix for its game Saturday against Alabama.
The team, which was supposed to leave Connecticut around 6 p.m. EST Wednesday, did not arrive in the Valley until 3:27 a.m. Arizona time Thursday after multiple delays due to mechanical issues and weather in the Northeast.
The Huskies are Here! #MFinalFour 🏀🌵 pic.twitter.com/PdiGjjpC87
— NCAA Men's Final Four (@MFinalFour) April 4, 2024
Due to the lengthy delay and early morning arrival, UConn’s closed practice on Thursday was canceled. Coach Danny Hurley will participate in a news conference at 3:20 p.m.
– Lucas Gordon
NC State has confidence
Speaking of surprises, NC State has won nine consecutive elimination games en route to a Men’s Final Four appearance. Despite the improbable odds of making it to Phoenix, coach Kevin Keatts believed in his team to keep on winning.
“We expected to be here,” he said. “I know people don’t believe that. But this is not in our mind as a team, this is not a fluke.”
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In preparation for the Final Four, Keatts is making sure his team is enjoying the moment. He wants his team to be completely focused by the time their matchup against Purdue comes on Saturday.
He compared this experience to checking into a hotel.
“Most of them ask you, ‘Are you here on business or pleasure?’” Keatts said. “I said if anyone asks you that, you need to tell them that you’re here for both. Today, I want it to be 50/50. Tomorrow I want it to be 75 businesses to 25. I want 100% business by the time we get to Saturday.”
Keatts revealed that Thursday’s practice is the only time he’s told his players to bring their phones out to the court with them and take pictures.
It is safe to say that the Wolfpack are making sure to make the most of their time in Phoenix.
– Lucas Gordon
Final Four tickets
The popularity of the Men’s Final Four is triggering high ticket prices.
The two must-watch games will feature DJ Burns-led NC State versus the dominant Zach Edey of Purdue. Alongside will be the first Men’s Final Four appearance by Alabama against the reigning champs in UConn. These matchups make the tickets not cheap. On Saturday, a ticket admits you to both games. As of early Thursday afternoon, StubHub listed the cheapest semifinal ticket at $400 on the terrace level. However, if you want to get closer to the court, one of the higher ticket prices in section 130 is going for $15,450.
Monday’s national championship game will have a different price scale. StubHub lists the cheapest ticket for the biggest game of the year at $187 on the terrace level. If fans are willing to pay though in section 129, which is close to the action, a ticket is going for $11,238, one of the higher prices for a ticket. Just like any large sporting event though, there will be unrealistic ticket prices. One ticket for the national championship game is listed at a whopping $45,900 in section 130.
The last time the Men’s Final Four was held in Phoenix was in 2017, and this year’s ticket prices are similar to the 2017 season. CBS Sports reports the average ticket price in 2017 for the semifinal games was $451 and the national championship game was $838.47.
– Lucas Gordon
Sad that Fubo doesn’t get TBS and I won’t get to see the final four. 🙁
Stupid prices…much cheaper and better coverage to watch it at home on your flat screen. Plus the beer refrigerator is closer to your seat!