Still a chance to see 'The Dance'

News

Staff Writer

Tickets for single session are available

Time is ticking away for the start of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in Jacksonville, but the public still has an opportunity to buy tickets to see Friday’s first-round and Sunday’s second-round games.

About 1,000 tickets remain for the first two rounds in Jacksonville.

In mid-January, of the 13,000 available in Jacksonville, there were about 2,000 tickets left. Ticket sales have picked up since the NCAA selected the field of 64 teams Sunday.

Also, tickets are available at the New Orleans Arena, HP Pavilion in San Jose and Ford Center in Oklahoma City.

Fans of the University of Florida were in luck. The Ford Center still had tickets available after the Gators were invited Sunday to the tournament to play Brigham Young University today at 2:20 p.m.

A road trip from the Arena to the Ford Center will cover 1,164 miles and would take just over 19 hours.

Florida State University fans weren’t as lucky. The HSBC Arena in Buffalo, which will host its game with Gonzaga University Friday, is sold out for the first two rounds.

Fans attending the first two rounds in Jacksonville participated in a different process to purchase tickets than fans did in 2006. Ticketmaster processed all ticket requests made by the May 1, 2009, deadline online. Fans were directed to www.ncaa.com/tickets to make their purchases and the Arena box office was not involved. Those applicants were sent their tickets by late February. The remainder of the tickets are now available at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Arena box office, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or at www.ticketmaster.com.

“The change hasn’t been good or bad,” said Alan Verlander, director of athletics at host school Jacksonville University. “It’s just a different way of handling ticket requests.”

Changes for this year’s tournament also included the elimination of single-session tickets. The $219 price included two sessions Friday and one session Sunday for a total of six games. However, as of today single-session tickets are available.

“We are excited about the slate of games we are able to offer,” said Michael Bouda, sports manager for the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission. “We feel the community will realize that and it will be a sellout, so don’t wait to get your tickets.

Even those fans who don’t have a ticket to the games can enjoy the NCAA Fanfest that will start at 9 a.m. near the entrance of the Arena.

Where are they staying?

Omni

NCAA Headquarters

Hyatt

Duke

Crowne Plaza Downtown

Wisconsin

Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk

California

Hilton Garden Inn Southbank

Temple