At first, it appeared the Phoenix Suns would blow out the Chicago Bulls in a game that would clinch the Suns a playoff spot in the Western Conference.  They took an early 12-point lead and were ahead by nine points at the end of the first quarter.  That quickly changed in the second quarter as the Bulls caught up and took a three point lead into halftime.
At halftime, Quick Change performed.  The last time I saw Quick Change perform was this winter at a Northwestern men’s basketball game.  As usual, …

It was my last night in the Bay Area and there were three games to choose between. My top priority was the San Jose Earthquakes game since I have never attended a game at Buck Shaw Stadium. The other two options were the San Jose Sharks game at 7:00 pm or the Golden State Warriors game at 7:30 pm. Since I had already attended a Warriors and Sharks game earlier in the week, the Earthquakes was the obvious choice.
This time I went with my family – Mom, …

Even though I owned a San Jose Sharks partial season ticket plan when I was in high school, I rarely get to a Sharks game anymore (obviously, since I live in Chicago). The last Sharks game I attended was May 7, 2007 when the Sharks hosted the Detroit Red Wings in a conference semi-final playoff game. The last regular season game I attended was November 30, 2002 when the Ultimate Sports Wife sang the National Anthem before the game.
Given these facts, I realized on the ride down to …

With the wife traveling to Miami, OH this weekend for a synchronized skating competition, I chose to visit my parents in San Francisco – the less of two evils. I had a free ticket on Southwest Airlines to use by May 11 and this was the best weekend to use it.
I landed in Oakland around noon and posted on my facebook page “just landed in San Francisco.” Thirty minutes later a friend of mine, who has Golden State Warriors season tickets, commented “Want some warriors tix for tonight?” …

There are many reasons NOT to buy tickets in advance to any game and show up outside the stadium to buy tickets. First, tickets will be cheaper outside of the stadium than buying in advance (even buying tickets for face value from the team most of the time). Second, if you have a change of plans you do not have to sell your tickets (most likely at less than what you paid for them). Third, sometimes, at the last minute, a friend may have an extra ticket for the same …

I understand why the NCAA Tournament charges so much for their tickets – fans will pay. But in the next breath, fans will complain about the cost of tickets. The NCAA charged $71 for each ticket in Milwaukee. The fans overbought. The winners in this scenario are the NCAA, the ticket brokers and any fans who waited to buy tickets. The losers are the fans who bought tickets in advance – the exact people who make the NCAA so much money.
Think of it this way, …

For the third straight session, I left the Bradley Center in between games.  This time I planned to grab lunch rather than go to a bar.  I was looking for a subway, but stumbled upon Cousin’s Subs at State St. and Old World 3rd St.

#6 Xavier vs. #3 Pittsburgh
Xavier and Pittsburgh played the most entertaining game in Milwaukee all weekend long as Xavier narrowly defeated Pittsburgh 71-68 to advance to the Sweet 16.  Xavier lost to Pittsburgh in the regional semi-finals last season.

As was the case on Friday, I arrived close to the first tip of the first game. However, since today was a Sunday I knew I could park for free on city streets. I drove directly to Juneau Ave. where I used to park for free when I attended five Milwaukee Bucks playoff games back during their playoff run of 2002. I parked 6 to 7 blocks away from the Bradley Center on the corner of Juneau Ave. and Jackson St. – a walk that was probably too far even …

Once again, I left the stadium between games of the session with my “smoking” stamp. I wandered down Old World 3rd St. and ducked into Durango BBQ & Grill. I stopped in there because they had the best special of the bars on Old World 3rd St. – $3 20 oz. beers. Not only was every other bar overcrowded, but they were also charging at least $5 per beer. That also means that Durango is not nearly as popular as the bars on the street which I tend to agree. …

When planning to attend all four games of the NCAA Tournament’s first round, you need to determine where to go in between the two sessions. Milwaukee is especially convenient because there are so many bars and restaurants within a block or two of the arena.
As I wrote on Friday, I was planning to meet up with two guys I met two months ago at an Indiana Pacers game. I emailed them Thursday afternoon and wrote back stating they were planning a Fish Fry at Slim McGinn’s between the two sessions …