Which March Madness 1st/2nd Round Site?

[Bocephus]

I’ve always wanted to attend a March Madness tourney. My brothers and some buddies are looking at the sites for this year. If it was you which site would you pick. We are not worried about following any specific team, all just lovers of basketball.

Which site would you pick? We are leaning towards western sites for travel expenses obviously.

2019 1st/2nd round sites

Hartford, CT March 21/23
Salt Lake City, UT March 21/23
Des Moines, IA March 21/23
Jacksonville, FL March 2123
Tulsa, OK March 22/24
Columbus, OH March 22/24
Columbia, SC March 22/24
San Jose, CA March 22/24

[91catAlum]

I went for the first time last year. Drove to Salt Lake, had a great time. Its a pretty easy drive from here in Helena. We stayed at a hotel near downtown called the Crystal. It's walking distance to the arena, maybe a mile. My only regret was that we didn't spend a little more money on better seats. We were center court-ish but way up in the nose bleeds. So next time I go, I'll get better seats.

[ilovethecats]

I’ve been many times over the years and honestly the setup of salt lake from Bozeman couldn’t be better. Easy drive. Great hotels literally across the street from the arena. Great restaurants and even bars all within walking distance. I’m going again this spring.

I’m sure the other sites are great. Something awesome about the electricity of March madness. But for the sake of simplicity you wouldn’t be unhappy with salt lake.

[allcat]

In March I'd be looking for some warmer weather. I'd go to California.

[onceacat]

In March I'd be looking for some warmer weather. I'd go to California.

The Bay is barely warmer than SLC at Spring Break. Tulsa is a ****hole. All the other sites are far away.

Besides, you'd probably have to fly through SLC to go to any of the other sites anyway...First round in San Jose, 2nd round in SLC?

[ilovethecats]

The last couple times I went to SLC it was shorts and tee weather the whole time. Maybe I got lucky.

Regardless, I got my room and tix this morning. Nothing else to do except wait for selection Sunday and hope to draw some good teams!

[wbtfg]

I’ve always wanted to attend a March Madness tourney. My brothers and some buddies are looking at the sites for this year. If it was you which site would you pick. We are not worried about following any specific team, all just lovers of basketball.

Which site would you pick? We are leaning towards western sites for travel expenses obviously.

2019 1st/2nd round sites

Hartford, CT March 21/23
Salt Lake City, UT March 21/23
Des Moines, IA March 21/23
Jacksonville, FL March 2123
Tulsa, OK March 22/24
Columbus, OH March 22/24
Columbia, SC March 22/24
San Jose, CA March 22/24

I’ve been numerous times....salt lake, Spokane, Seattle , Portland, Sacramento, Boise, etc.

My favorite places were the spots that had a college town feel and where hotels were near the arena so you really could feel the tourney energy.

If money wasn’t a factor, I’d probably go to Columbus or Columbia. Simply because I’ve never been and I hear they are cool college towns. If you are focusing on the west, I’d definitely choose salt lake over San Jose.

[rtb]

I agree with Salt Lake over San Jose. I spend a lot of time in San Jose and the atmosphere isn't really there for fun in and around the SAP center. It's Silicon Valley so 12 billon people drive to work each day and then go home at night leaving the town itself pretty boring. At lease in SLC there are some good breweries, restaurants, etc. around the stadium.

I also agree, if you can choose any of the Columbus is a fun city! The brewery scene there is great, its an excellent college town, and there is plenty to see and do.

[MSU01]

If money were no object I'd pick Columbia, SC as that's overwhelmingly likely to be where Duke gets placed, and I'd love to see that team in person before Zion & Co. all head to the NBA. Salt Lake City would be a great choice for a closer venue though, especially as there's a good chance Gonzaga will be playing there.

[wbtfg]

I’ve always wanted to attend a March Madness tourney. My brothers and some buddies are looking at the sites for this year. If it was you which site would you pick. We are not worried about following any specific team, all just lovers of basketball.

Which site would you pick? We are leaning towards western sites for travel expenses obviously.

2019 1st/2nd round sites

Hartford, CT March 21/23
Salt Lake City, UT March 21/23
Des Moines, IA March 21/23
Jacksonville, FL March 2123
Tulsa, OK March 22/24
Columbus, OH March 22/24
Columbia, SC March 22/24
San Jose, CA March 22/24

Where did you end up going?

[ilovethecats]

I’ve always wanted to attend a March Madness tourney. My brothers and some buddies are looking at the sites for this year. If it was you which site would you pick. We are not worried about following any specific team, all just lovers of basketball.

Which site would you pick? We are leaning towards western sites for travel expenses obviously.

2019 1st/2nd round sites

Hartford, CT March 21/23
Salt Lake City, UT March 21/23
Des Moines, IA March 21/23
Jacksonville, FL March 2123
Tulsa, OK March 22/24
Columbus, OH March 22/24
Columbia, SC March 22/24
San Jose, CA March 22/24

Where did you end up going?

Was just thinking about this as well!

Salt Lake was great as always. Games weren't too exciting but that was the case the entire first round and rarely plays out that way. Finally selling beer was a nice surprise when I walked into the arena. You'd think $12 for a 3.1% beer would scare people away but it definitely did NOT! The beauty of Salt Lake is there is never a line for beer.

All in all a great experience like every time I've been. Would be curious to hear others' experiences either in SLC or elsewhere?

[wbtfg]

I’ve always wanted to attend a March Madness tourney. My brothers and some buddies are looking at the sites for this year. If it was you which site would you pick. We are not worried about following any specific team, all just lovers of basketball.

Which site would you pick? We are leaning towards western sites for travel expenses obviously.

2019 1st/2nd round sites

Hartford, CT March 21/23
Salt Lake City, UT March 21/23
Des Moines, IA March 21/23
Jacksonville, FL March 2123
Tulsa, OK March 22/24
Columbus, OH March 22/24
Columbia, SC March 22/24
San Jose, CA March 22/24

Where did you end up going?

Was just thinking about this as well!

Salt Lake was great as always. Games weren't too exciting but that was the case the entire first round and rarely plays out that way. Finally selling beer was a nice surprise when I walked into the arena. You'd think $12 for a 3.1% beer would scare people away but it definitely did NOT! The beauty of Salt Lake is there is never a line for beer.

All in all a great experience like every time I've been. Would be curious to hear others' experiences either in SLC or elsewhere?

I fly out today for the west regional in Anaheim.

[ilovethecats]

I’ve always wanted to attend a March Madness tourney. My brothers and some buddies are looking at the sites for this year. If it was you which site would you pick. We are not worried about following any specific team, all just lovers of basketball.

Which site would you pick? We are leaning towards western sites for travel expenses obviously.

2019 1st/2nd round sites

Hartford, CT March 21/23
Salt Lake City, UT March 21/23
Des Moines, IA March 21/23
Jacksonville, FL March 2123
Tulsa, OK March 22/24
Columbus, OH March 22/24
Columbia, SC March 22/24
San Jose, CA March 22/24

Where did you end up going?

Was just thinking about this as well!

Salt Lake was great as always. Games weren't too exciting but that was the case the entire first round and rarely plays out that way. Finally selling beer was a nice surprise when I walked into the arena. You'd think $12 for a 3.1% beer would scare people away but it definitely did NOT! The beauty of Salt Lake is there is never a line for beer.

All in all a great experience like every time I've been. Would be curious to hear others' experiences either in SLC or elsewhere?

I fly out today for the west regional in Anaheim.

Awesome!

You'll have to report back. Pulling for FSU and Oregon in that one. I think FSU has the firepower but not sure the Ducks can keep it rolling.

Have fun!

[wbtfg]

I’ve always wanted to attend a March Madness tourney. My brothers and some buddies are looking at the sites for this year. If it was you which site would you pick. We are not worried about following any specific team, all just lovers of basketball.

Which site would you pick? We are leaning towards western sites for travel expenses obviously.

2019 1st/2nd round sites

Hartford, CT March 21/23
Salt Lake City, UT March 21/23
Des Moines, IA March 21/23
Jacksonville, FL March 2123
Tulsa, OK March 22/24
Columbus, OH March 22/24
Columbia, SC March 22/24
San Jose, CA March 22/24

Where did you end up going?

Was just thinking about this as well!

Salt Lake was great as always. Games weren't too exciting but that was the case the entire first round and rarely plays out that way. Finally selling beer was a nice surprise when I walked into the arena. You'd think $12 for a 3.1% beer would scare people away but it definitely did NOT! The beauty of Salt Lake is there is never a line for beer.

All in all a great experience like every time I've been. Would be curious to hear others' experiences either in SLC or elsewhere?

I fly out today for the west regional in Anaheim.

Awesome!

You'll have to report back. Pulling for FSU and Oregon in that one. I think FSU has the firepower but not sure the Ducks can keep it rolling.

Have fun!

I think Oregon is in the south?

I have zags/fau and t.tech/Michigan

[ilovethecats]

I’ve always wanted to attend a March Madness tourney. My brothers and some buddies are looking at the sites for this year. If it was you which site would you pick. We are not worried about following any specific team, all just lovers of basketball.

Which site would you pick? We are leaning towards western sites for travel expenses obviously.

2019 1st/2nd round sites

Hartford, CT March 21/23
Salt Lake City, UT March 21/23
Des Moines, IA March 21/23
Jacksonville, FL March 2123
Tulsa, OK March 22/24
Columbus, OH March 22/24
Columbia, SC March 22/24
San Jose, CA March 22/24

Where did you end up going?

Was just thinking about this as well!

Salt Lake was great as always. Games weren't too exciting but that was the case the entire first round and rarely plays out that way. Finally selling beer was a nice surprise when I walked into the arena. You'd think $12 for a 3.1% beer would scare people away but it definitely did NOT! The beauty of Salt Lake is there is never a line for beer.

All in all a great experience like every time I've been. Would be curious to hear others' experiences either in SLC or elsewhere?

I fly out today for the west regional in Anaheim.

Awesome!

You'll have to report back. Pulling for FSU and Oregon in that one. I think FSU has the firepower but not sure the Ducks can keep it rolling.

Have fun!

I think Oregon is in the south?

I have zags/fau and t.tech/Michigan

Oh ya good call. Probably better for you as I feel like that will be a great game as well. Jealous.