Vegas!!

[gobirds85]

Does anyone make the trek out west to Vegas? We started, over a decade ago, with four Redbirds and now we have a much larger group consisting of NIU, ohio state, Marquette, Arizona, Wisconsin fans. Yea, we tried to keep the big ten guys out but they are good guys...for the most part.

Our Marquette addition is a recently retired VP from there and a hell of a good guy. He is still in contact with Kevin O'Neill and Buzz Williams so we get some great stories from him.

If anyone is going out, look us up. I can PM you my contact info.

 

[SoCalRedbird]

Dad and I will be making our 15th consecutive trip to Vegas for the tournament. We usually stay at the Plaza or the Golden Nugget.

Any other Redbirds heading downtown?

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[Adunk33]

It's a great time. In the past, TpGuy has been available for in-flight entertainment. There is truly nothing like it.

 

[redbirdfan04]

Hi guys I go every year. This year my dates are March 26-30.

 

[gobirds85]

Hi guys I go every year. This year my dates are March 26-30.

Oh man, you are missing the opening rounds.

 

[gobirds85]

It's a great time. In the past, TpGuy has been available for in-flight entertainment. There is truly nothing like it.

A shot of top shelf whiskey for all!!!

 

[redbirdfan04]

yeah, they are the best but it is the only time I could make it.

 

[TheTruth]

Used to go to Vegas just about every year for the opening rounds, but I hate the direction that town has gone in the last 5-10 years or so. I can't put my finger on it, but it's just not as fun as it used to be out there. Ever since they've gone from a gambling destination model to a shopping and dining destination model, the town is just devoid of personality. Having basically two companies own all the strip hotels certainly does not help matters either.

 

[Manchester Matt]

Championship Week is superior.

Less crowds and a ton more games to watch and gamble on.

 

[Tpguy]

Used to go to Vegas just about every year for the opening rounds, but I hate the direction that town has gone in the last 5-10 years or so. I can't put my finger on it, but it's just not as fun as it used to be out there. Ever since they've gone from a gambling destination model to a shopping and dining destination model, the town is just devoid of personality. Having basically two companies own all the strip hotels certainly does not help matters either.

:text-+1: :text-+1:

 

[Tpguy]

It's a great time. In the past, TpGuy has been available for in-flight entertainment. There is truly nothing like it.

Due to being 71 and in poor health, Tpguy's Vegas March trips are over. Something I always looked forward to. In fact I made room & flight reservations but had to cancel a few weeks ago on Doctors advice.

They were truly great times, Gobirds85 always set them up, usually about 10 of us from all over the states stayed at the same place. The bartender always remembered our names and saved our corner seats at the bar. Always had at least one expensive steak dinner and placed a lot of bets Three years ago I won 17 bets in a row and still am bragging about it, but I usually only bet $20 or so.

One year Gobirds85 borrowed 8 figures from me and is still making payments.

Have fun you guys :dance:

 

[gobirds85]

It's a great time. In the past, TpGuy has been available for in-flight entertainment. There is truly nothing like it.

Due to being 71 and in poor health, Tpguy's Vegas March trips are over. Something I always looked forward to. In fact I made room & flight reservations but had to cancel a few weeks ago on Doctors advice.

They were truly great times, Gobirds85 always set them up, usually about 10 of us from all over the states stayed at the same place. The bartender always remembered our names and saved our corner seats at the bar. Always had at least one expensive steak dinner and placed a lot of bets Three years ago I won 17 bets in a row and still am bragging about it, but I usually only bet $20 or so.

One year Gobirds85 borrowed 8 figures from me and is still making payments.

Have fun you guys :dance:

I was meaning to talk to you about that. Interest calculated by the hour doesn''t seem right. My great grandchildren will be paying this one off.

When you and your wife showed up by surprise last year was one of my most favorite memories in sin city. That and hanging with a certain poster and his penchant for whiskey.

 

[SoCalRedbird]

Used to go to Vegas just about every year for the opening rounds, but I hate the direction that town has gone in the last 5-10 years or so. I can't put my finger on it, but it's just not as fun as it used to be out there. Ever since they've gone from a gambling destination model to a shopping and dining destination model, the town is just devoid of personality. Having basically two companies own all the strip hotels certainly does not help matters either.

I've had the same feeling over the years.

The difference to me is how ultra consumeristic March Madness in Vegas has become. The word has clearly gotten out that the NCAA tournament opening rounds is the best sportsbook event of the year. Reserved seats in sportsbooks now cost outrageous amounts of money. Vegas is giving away less freebies than ever before. Most damaging though? The clientele has changed from purely knowledgeable NCAA hoops fans to (very) casual fans looking to get in on the fun. I miss the days of waiting in line at 4 am at a sportsbook for a seat sandwiched in between a group of Lipscomb alumni and Maryland season ticket holders.

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[gobirds85]

Championship Week is superior.

Less crowds and a ton more games to watch and gamble on.

I believe Championship week is a close second so I will agree to disagree. Both weeks provide a ton of action. Remember the first week of action has CBI, CIT, NIT and ncaa play in games to watch so there are actually more games than you would think.


Crowd size is going to be interesting with the start being moved back a week. St. Paddy's Day will not come into play with the first week, unless you are lucky enough to be in Vegas for two weeks. One of the guys we sort of adopted (Hank, an osu guy) heads out early March. I don't think I'd make it that long.

 

[gobirds85]

Used to go to Vegas just about every year for the opening rounds, but I hate the direction that town has gone in the last 5-10 years or so. I can't put my finger on it, but it's just not as fun as it used to be out there. Ever since they've gone from a gambling destination model to a shopping and dining destination model, the town is just devoid of personality. Having basically two companies own all the strip hotels certainly does not help matters either.

I've had the same feeling over the years.

The difference to me is how ultra consumeristic March Madness in Vegas has become. The word has clearly gotten out that the NCAA tournament opening rounds is the best sportsbook event of the year. Reserved seats in sportsbooks now cost outrageous amounts of money. Vegas is giving away less freebies than ever before. Most damaging though? The clientele has changed from purely knowledgeable NCAA hoops fans to (very) casual fans looking to get in on the fun. I miss the days of waiting in line at 4 am at a sportsbook for a seat sandwiched in between a group of Lipscomb alumni and Maryland season ticket holders.

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Agree, our group has fallen into a great situation in which I cannot share on a public forum as it would put my life in jeopardy and TPGuy wants his $$$$ dead or alive. I can PM you details of where we are if you would like. Same goes for anyone else who is going to be in town.

 

[SoCalRedbird]

Used to go to Vegas just about every year for the opening rounds, but I hate the direction that town has gone in the last 5-10 years or so. I can't put my finger on it, but it's just not as fun as it used to be out there. Ever since they've gone from a gambling destination model to a shopping and dining destination model, the town is just devoid of personality. Having basically two companies own all the strip hotels certainly does not help matters either.

I've had the same feeling over the years.

The difference to me is how ultra consumeristic March Madness in Vegas has become. The word has clearly gotten out that the NCAA tournament opening rounds is the best sportsbook event of the year. Reserved seats in sportsbooks now cost outrageous amounts of money. Vegas is giving away less freebies than ever before. Most damaging though? The clientele has changed from purely knowledgeable NCAA hoops fans to (very) casual fans looking to get in on the fun. I miss the days of waiting in line at 4 am at a sportsbook for a seat sandwiched in between a group of Lipscomb alumni and Maryland season ticket holders.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Agree, our group has fallen into a great situation in which I cannot share on a public forum as it would put my life in jeopardy and TPGuy wants his $$$$ dead or alive. I can PM you details of where we are if you would like. Same goes for anyone else who is going to be in town.

Definitely.

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[ISU FAN 1]

https://youtu.be/N57SxyxUhTQ

 

[gobirds85]

Yep, I'm bored and awaiting paperwork from a warehouse in LA so I thought I'd waste a little time and poll you guys. Give me your three favorites to win it all this year, and yes, I mean the ncaa tourney. If you feel compelled to provide reasoning, then have at it. Mine:

Duke-yea, I know I went out on a limb here. Need to get better from line. Zion?

Gonzaga-speed, and more speed. Fun team to watch.

Virginia-great D, and now they can score. Yikes!!

As I look at my picks I realize how "chalk" they are. Crud. Nevada and Houston could make some people uneasy, but this year, like the valley, it doesn't seem like one completely dominant team.

Thoughts?

 

[DoubleDeuce]

I wouldn't mind seeing Tennessee win it all just because their colors aren't blue.

 

[Tpguy]

Rice University