By DISH Contributor: Jayme Lamm Our city has waited since 1971 for the Final Four to make its way back around and this weekend, we welcome it with open arms.
The entire city has been making preparations for years as the NCAA and its fans are finally here to overtake the town for the 73rd edition of the Final Four. We haven't seen any real sports action (big games, big series) since the 2005 World Series and we are excited for some...excitement!
Not to take the wind out of everyone's sails, but the tournament is lacking comparatively speaking. The Final Four is used to hosting big name schools with huge basketball programs. Adorning fans travel the country to cheer their team on, celebrities quickly fill the venues and local hotspots. But this year may be different. Still a little too early to tell. There have only been 3 times in the history of the tourney (since seeding began) that at least one #1 seed didn't make the Final Four - 1980, 2006 and 2011! Another notable point of contention is that an #11 seed is the lowest seed to make an appearance in the Final Four. LSU did it in 1986, my Alma Mater George Mason did it in 2006 and VCU is doing it this weekend.
The National Semi-Finals take place at Reliant on Saturday. With more than 330 NCAA colleges and universities initially eligible for the championship each year, only 68 get invited to play in March Madness. Of those 68, we are down to these Final Four:
#4 Kentucky vs #3 UCONN
#11 VCU vs #8 Butler
The winners of each of those games will compete in Monday's National Championship game. Both games will be televised on CBS, but why on earth would you miss the excitement right in your own backyard? Remember, since some of the bigger name teams didn't make it, there are plenty of tickets being sold at face-value.
The chance to celebrate this kind of event doesn't come often. Check out a live slam dunk contest, dribble all the way from George R. Brown to City Hall, shoot hoops for charity, enjoy free concerts by some of your favorite bands in the beautiful weather. Bracket Town is taking place at the George R. Brown Convention Center and Discovery Green today through Monday (other notable sports events are listed below happening all over town):
Location: George R. Brown Convention Center
Admission: $10 (ages 12 and over), $6 (ages 3-11, college students*, senior citizens (55 and older), and military*) Free (ages 2 and under)*Appropriate ID required
Hours: 5 - 10 pm All Weekend
Description: Come play with the best at Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero - the ultimate fan experience. Fans of all ages can test their skills and enjoy championship action with basketball competitions, clinics, performances, autograph sessions and photo ops, the latest in interactive games and demonstrations, prizes and more. Everyone's a champion at Bracket Town.
Location: University of Houston, Hofheinz Pavilion
Admission: Start at $10; tickets can be purchased at HERE Hours: 6:30 pm
The Annual College Slam Dunk & Three Point Shooting Championships bring together college basketball’s top three-point shooters and slam dunk artists in Houston and will be televised by ESPN2 on Thursday, March 31 at 8:00pm.
1 - 1:50 p.m. Game No. 2 Lower Seed
2:10 - 3 p.m. Game No. 1 Higher Seed
3:10 - 4 p.m. Game No. 2 Higher Seed
Location: Reliant Stadium
Admission: Free
Hours: 4:30 - 6:30 pm
The Reese's College All-Star Game features two teams comprised of the top collegiate senior student-athletes in the country. For the third year, the game will be played in the Final Four venue and will provide Texas residents and other NCAA basketball fans the chance to see many of the best college basketball players perform in action for free!
Headliner: SUBLIME WITH ROME
Location: Discovery Green
Admission: Free
Hours: 4 - 10:30 pm
Discovery Green will be fenced for the event. There will be four entrances with security. No dogs, food or beverages are allowed inside the gates.
Location: University of Houston, Houston Baptist University, Texas Southern University and John H. Reagan High School
Admission: Free (Participants must be between 8-16 years of age [boys and girls] and pre-registered - pre-registration is highly encouraged)
Hours: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Registration: Log on to www.NCAA.com/finalfour for details. Online registration will be available for the first 300 youth at each site at www.NCAA.com/youthclinics.
The Powerade NCAA Youth Clinics are a community outreach program that connects kids ages 8 – 16 with the basketball championship and provides them with resources designed to have a lasting impact. Participants receive sport instruction from NCAA coaches and student-athletes and get valuable information on fitness, healthy lifestyles and sportsmanship. The clinics also feature a session for parents and guardians with information on recruiting, academic and eligibility issues.
Headliner: THE KINGS OF LEON
Location: Discovery Green
Admission: Free
Hours: 11:30 - 8:00 pm
Discovery Green will be fenced for the event. There will be four entrances with security. No dogs, food or beverages are allowed inside the gates.
Start: Herman Square at Houston City Hall; 900 Smith Street, Houston, Texas 77002
Finish: George R. Brown Convention Center (Bracket Town)
Admission: Free
Hours: Dribble begins at 2 p.m.; All participants, including pre-registered, must check-in prior to 1:30 p.m.
Registration: Log onto www.NCAA.com/finalfour to register for the NCAA Final Four Dribble presented by Lowes Senior Class Award. Online registration will be available to the first 3,700 registrants.Onsite Registration: Onsite registration will be available to the first 800 registrants who did not pre-register online.
Basketball fans, under the age of 18, will have the opportunity to dribble from Houston City Hall to the George R. Brown Convention Center. Participants will receive a free basketball and t-shirt courtesy of the NCAA, Lowes Senior Class Award, Wilson Sporting Goods and the Houston Local Organizing Committee. Participants wearing their Final Four Dribble t-shirt will also receive free admission to Bracket Town on event day. Participants must be present to receive complimentary items and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Headliner: KENNY CHESNEY
Location: Discovery Green
Admission: Free
Hours: 3 - 10:30 pm
Discovery Green will be fenced for the event. There will be four entrances with security. No dogs, food or beverages are allowed inside the gates. Please read the following rules before you head to The Big Dance!
Location: Reliant Stadium
Admission: Sold out. Seating capacity is approximately 76,000
Hours: Tipoff is approximately 8:23 p.m. (Gates open at 6 p.m.)
Description: This is the game everyone has waited for. The top two teams in the nation will play each other for the most coveted title in every intercollegiate sport - National Champions!
Location: Final Four Winning Team Hotel
Admission: Free
Hours: Postgame
Description: Winning coach and student-athletes will be presented with the NABC championship trophy in a pep rally setting for all fans to enjoy.
Final Four Viewing Party & Saint Arnold Beer Garden
Location: Market Square Park
Hours: Saturday, April 2, 3-11 pm (semifinal games begin at 5:30 pm); Monday, April 4, 6-11 pm (championship game begins at 8 pm)
Admission: Free
Description: Located in downtown’s Historic District, Market Square Park will be the place for locals to watch the games. It currently serves as downtown’s neighborhood hangout and is programmed with concerts, movies and happy hours throughout the spring season. In the heart of the park is a Houston’s Greek favorite, Niko Niko’s who is an “official” restaurant of the NCAA Final Four. The park will be transformed into a basketball haven with big screens, a beer garden and lots of fun and good food.
Be sure to check out DowntownHouston for updated info on the event schedule.
Our friends over at Big Fuel told us about Buick's fan interaction with the Human Highlight Reel taking place throughout Bracket Town.
Other notable sporting events this weekend alone are the Shell Houston Open, Astros Opening Day and Houston Rockets