Like any major sporting event, the Final Four has become a festival that reaches well beyond the athletic competition, and since Indianapolis is in hoops-crazy Indiana and home to the NCAA headquarters, the town will be hopping.
Don’t forget–Indianapolis is close enough to Chicago for a quick trip, wink wink, nudge nudge.
In addition to the games, Indiana native John Mellencamp, who will perform in front of an estimated 100,000 during a free concert Sunday in downtown Indianapolis, headlines the weekend’s party. Elsewhere, you can see several hoops exhibits, check out the Globetrotters and even sneak into a Final Four practice.
Watching the games on TV? We’ve included Saturday’s matchups. Heading down for the fun? Use our handy list to plan your way.
And, please, don’t tell us you didn’t think about going. Really?
Come on, do it. Doooo it.
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SATURDAY’S SEMIFINALS, GAME 1
No. 11 George Mason (27-7) vs.
No. 3 Florida (31-6)
5:07 p.m. CBS
George Mason has stunned the college basketball world, and the Patriots matched LSU in 1986 as the lowest seeds to reach the Final Four. They are the first team from a midmajor conference to get there since 1979. Florida gave the SEC half the Final Four with a 75-62 victory over Villanova, and they’re back in the Final Four for the first time since losing to Michigan State in the 2000 championship game.
George Mason player to watch: Jai Lewis, the 6-foot-7 forward, averages 13.5 points a game. But remember: The Patriots shoot 48 percent from the field, including 36 percent from 3-point range.
Florida player to watch: It also is a balanced effort with the starters all in double figures from Joakim Noah’s 14.0 per game to Lee Humphrey’s 10.7.
— Associated Press
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SATURDAY’S SEMIFINALS, GAME 2
No. 2 UCLA (31-6) vs.
No. 4 LSU (27-8)
7:47 p.m. CBS
LSU is doing it with smothering defense. The Tigers held Duke to its lowest point total since 1996 in the regional semifinals and then held Texas to 30.4 percent from the field. UCLA beat Memphis 50-45 to reach the Final Four for a 16th time, and they were last in the national semifinals in 1995 when they won their record 11th NCAA championship.
LSU player to watch: Glen “Big Baby” Davis, the 6-foot-9, 300-pound-plus forward, averages 18.5 points a game.
UCLA player to watch: The Bruins average 68.8 points per game, thanks in part to sophomore guards Arron Afflalo (16.2 ppg.) and Jordan Farmar (13.6 ppg.).
–Associated Press
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FINAL FOUR WEEKEND EVENTS
100 Years, 100 Hours at the NCAA Hall of Champions
FRIDAY TO TUESDAY
The NCAA Hall of Champions (ncaa.org/hall(underscore)of(underscore) champions/global/
home.htm) will be open around the clock to celebrate the NCAA’s 100th anniversary, and James Naismith’s grandson, Ian Naismith, is scheduled to appear. Wonder if he can dunk. Ian, not James.
NCAA Hoop City at the Indiana Convention Center
FRIDAY TO MONDAY
An interactive fan festival with appearances by former Indiana collegiate athletes. Enjoy!
Final Four Friday at the RCA Dome
11 A.M. TO 3 P.M. FRIDAY
Fans can watch the Final Four teams practice for free. OK, now that is cool.
College All-Stars vs. Harlem Globetrotters at Conseco Fieldhouse
6:30 P.M. FRIDAY
The Harlem Globetrotters play a team of college all-stars. The “confetti in the bucket” trick? Gets us every time. (Ticket info at ticketmaster.com or at the Fieldhouse).
The Big Dance at Monument Circle
10 A.M. SATURDAY
Organizers stage the World’s Largest Pep Rally before Saturday’s semifinals, which will air on big screens at Monument Circle too. There will be no fighting for the remote control.
Circle City Dribble throughout downtown Indianapolis
11:30 A.M. SUNDAY
An estimated 3,000 children dribble basketballs through the city’s downtown, and chances are good that none of them will be called for traveling. Register at indianasportscorp.com/
finalfour.
My Coke Fest at Monument Circle
1-8 P.M. SUNDAY
A free concert featuring Carrie Underwood, Michelle Branch, Collective Soul, Chris Brown and Mr. Mellencamp. Under the “Federal Mandatory Jessica Simpson or Nick Lachey Appearance Act,” Mr. Lachey will MC the event.
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redeyesports@tribune.com
