Where’s the Buzz? Oh wait, here it is.

I was all set to write a blog entry about how the Final Four is in the Detroit and nobody is paying attention.

Four years ago, I was living in Saint Louis when they hosted the Final Four and the ‘March to the Arch’ was a huge source of conversation throughout the winter and early spring in St. Louis.

Meanwhile this year I was watching basketball on Saturday when I suddenly remembered that the Final Four was actually in Detroit this year.  Going into last weekend, the Final Four had generated almost no press in Detroit.

Granted, this city has a few bigger fish to fry right now, and I’m a little biased for two reasons.  1) When Saint Louis hosted the final four, I was actually working in the city, so I was alot closer to things happening in the city.  2) It was also a very good year for Illini basketball, so I was watching a lot more college basketball.

Anyways, I was all set to rant about the lack of attention the Final Four was getting in Detroit, when something happened — Michigan State beat Louisville (regarded as one of the two favorites to win it all) on Sunday.  I take that back, they didn’t just beat Louisville, they pretty much controlled them.

All of a sudden, MSU basketball and the Final Four are the talk of the town.  The scalper market for tickets has gone through the roof and just everyone is making plans to be downtown on Saturday, whether they’re going to the game or not.

This year also marks the first Final Four with the NCAA’s new court setup.  The basketball court will be set up on the 50 yardline of the football field and the entire stadium will be used to seat fans.  Previously, they’d been laying the court on one side of the stadium and setting up temporary bleachers, using just half the stadium.

I’m sure that with the economy being what it is, a few people down at NCAA headquarters were sweating over the number of empty seats we’d see on TV.  I’m sure more than a few people breathed a sigh of relief when MSU won on Sunday.

Good for MSU, and good for Detroit.  This city could use a little cheer.

Seth, Trevor, Me and our facorite MSU fan in 2005

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Shailesh

Just a guy in Chicago who likes to vent sometimes

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03 2009

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