I was impressed by the number of fans Washington State brought to the NCAA Regional Final in Uptown last night. More impressed that they stayed in their seats after losing to the Heels. Guess the night was still young and they had no place else to go.
Other observations:
- Charlotte is a Tar Heel town. The upper bowl was full of UNC fans, a sure sign that the locals came out to support the Heels. However, in true UNC tradition, it was a late-arriving crowd.
- The lower bowl was full of star power. Ex-Heels Sean May, Jason Capel, Al Wood were sprinkled around players’ families and minor celebs like voice of the Panthers’ (and former Tar Heel colorman) Mick Mixon and County Commission Chair Jennifer Roberts. Could be wrong, but I think Charlotte Chamber president Bob Morgan was sitting next to Roberts. But if MJ was in the house, it was deep within a suite.
- The NCAA is very annoying. NCAA logos and promos fill up the vid screens that could be used for useful info — like the scores from other NCAA games. The low point was a message from NCAA president Myles “$800K a Year” Brand looking for all the world like Big Brother from 1984. Inexplicably, as soon as the halftime horn sounded, the boards where wiped of info and replaced with a huge NCAA logo. As Roy Williams left the court he looked in vain for the scoreboard and just shook his head with a wry smile.
Should be tons more fun on Saturday vs. a peaking Louisville team, especially as Tennessee fans unload there tix to yet more Heel supporters.
Update: Should also supply my standard travel-time metrics. Left the house as 5:40pm, traveled down Monroe Road to park at Caldwell St. (for $15) and started crossing the street to the arena at 6:20. Bailed on Tenn-UL about halfway thru the first half, which was about 10:30pm, rolled into the driveway at about 10:55. Ta-da.
