What are YOUR March Madness Plans (and Championship Week)?

[LineSkiCat14]

Figured we can use some fun discussion.

What are your plans for Champs week and March Madness? How much do you watch? Do you travel? Gamble? Taking work off?

Working from home, I usually keep the Champs Week on the background, TV in the office, Desktop PC and a tablet if needed. Kind of like the NFL championship games.. the weeks leading up to the "big game" are almost just as good. Champ week is seriously underrated.

For the tournament, I take off of work, and my friends and I have a tradition of going to the same local sports/dive bar, at 11am to get seats at the bar, and not leaving until the last game is over.. AND its St Patty's day, so it's gonna be a huge drunken debacle. We usually get about 10 to 15 people out over the course of the day. Day 2 of the tournament, we used to go back to the same bar.. but we've lately tried to mix it up and pick a different spot, as some of us live further away (for years, we lived 3 blocks from this bar, so it made sense)

Wish I was in a better location to see Kentucky play.. but im more than happy with our setup.

So let's hear the March Madness plans..

 

[Kentucky fan 1989]

I'm going to Breathhitt County to watch with my Aunt and Mamaw. When I was younger, I used to go to my Uncle's house in Louisville.

 

[onearmedjesus]

Son's Spring Break during first week of the tourney. We do trip a lot that week. In a hotel in Illinois when we took down OSU in 2011. Drove to S.C. in 2012 and watched the first four games in hotels on the way there and back. This year we head to Colorado. A bit nervous about catching the first two games. Hope they are Thursday/Saturday. A Sunday game will make a 10 hour trip back home really interesting.

 

[gbl97]

Skipping the SEC tournament this year, but will go to Indy if we end up there.

 

[cats#1again]

I have to have complete silence when we play a big game in the tournament. I have always turned down every bar invite to watch the cats in March.
I can't stand people not taking it as serious as myself. Also, the thought of someone rooting against UK would not be good

I do enjoy going to the sec tournament, that is one of the best times you can have at a live event

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I have to have complete silence when we play a big game in the tournament. I have always turned down every bar invite to watch the cats in March.
I can't stand people not taking it as serious as myself. Also, the thought of someone rooting against UK would not be good

I do enjoy going to the sec tournament, that is one of the best times you can have at a live event

I'm the same, although I'm fine with with watching UK's opening game as it's usually against a much lesser opponent. But come round 2 and beyond, I stay home if I can.

The same bar I mentioned above, I watched the UK/Uconn title game there. And somehow, it was all Uconn fans despite Storrs being 3+ hours away. One girl got into my face about it. Wasn't fun.

 

[ORCAT]

Watching everything in comfort at home. Tore ligaments in my foot and have to wear a boot for 12 weeks so I'm pretty much confined to home. It will be great watching all the games though.

 

[CatOfDaVille]

I'm still working from home, so I'll be half-working during the SECT and the first few rounds of the NCAAT. It's nice because rather than having to take days or afternoons off to watch tourney games, I can just wiggle my mouse every 10 mins to appear available while sitting on my couch.

I'll be in New Orleans on a long weekend vaca with the family for spring break on F4 weekend, so if we make it there, I'll be in the building!

 

[catzfanjim]

I hope to be watching the Cats play in Indy and New Orleans.

 

[HenryMuto]

Every year since 1992 I have taken off work to watch the 1st round Thursday and Friday. 1991 was the last time I worked on those days.

Starting in 1995 I started taking off the Thursday and Friday during championship week as well.

Then I started taking off the Wed of champ week as well some years when good games were on but not doing that this year nothing good on in the afternoon really so just leaving work early.

Also started taking off the Friday during the sweet 16 about 5 years ago because I got too tired to stay up and watch Friday night's games I was falling asleep during them so I just take it off now.

So this year

Wed March 9th leaving work at 1 PM ET
Thu March 10th off
Fri March 11th off
Thu March 17th off
Fri March 18th off
Fri March 25th off

 

[cats2010]

Will be at my florida condo for championship week. Always fun watching games at the marina grill. Usually other Uk fans there too. Back home for NCAAT and will be at double dogs early on Thursday and Friday. Can’t do all day anymore but a good 6 hours 11-5 will work just fine. Thursday- Friday games for first round probably two of my favorite days of the year.

 

[BlueThunderstruck]

Chemo and watching the games. What a combination!

 

[JST390-2]

I have to have complete silence when we play a big game in the tournament. I have always turned down every bar invite to watch the cats in March.
I can't stand people not taking it as serious as myself. Also, the thought of someone rooting against UK would not be good

I do enjoy going to the sec tournament, that is one of the best times you can have at a live event

I live in Florida and am thinking about going …thanks for the take

 

[BigKari]

Hoping we end up in Indy and if we make it to New Orleans, I plan to be there.

 

[Gromcat]

I will have my screens up in my office / theatre room closely monitoring the lines, with no one around, and nothing but Kentucky basketball and making money on my mind. Calipari needs a second ring and we need it. A player like Oscar returning after a title run and a NPOY record breaker is a dream situation for our brand and the future. End coach K on a Kentucky title and set the stage for Calipari to be the goat coach in the modern game with the best players chasing the most titles.

It’s sustaining to the point where nobody questions who the greatest is.

Females, kids, work, in laws, church ( God will be used though a lot) or food for that matter don’t fit in. Sleep doesn’t fit in. Substances of course. Gotta get through this.

It’s all or nothing for Kentucky until we get the second ring in the Cal era.

 

[king of cali]

I used to always take that Thursday and Friday off for the tournament. For the last few years I’ve gone to work and had the games on my computer screen or phone. This year it looks like I’ll be going to the 1st and 2nd round games in San Diego.

 

[coachcombs57]

I prefer to watch games at home with my family...mostly because I feel like when I don't they lose lol I may keep my oldest out of school the 1st Friday to let him enjoy it. Hes finally really into watching the games.

 

[docholiday51]

First round of NCAAT I'll be at Southern IN casino making a few plays.
I'll return to the scene of the crime the next week if I can make a few bucks
Poker is an honest trade but sports betting is a business.

 

[jameslee32]

The first 2 days of the tourney have often been a blur. Me and some old buddies always look for a place to watch the dance. I've spent entire afternoons in bars when I really haven't been that much of a bar person. The Cats usually play in prime time so it hasn't been an issue for years. Getting older I find myself back home earlier than I used to. Usually by dinner time. 😋

 

[jameslee32]

Will be at my florida condo for championship week. Always fun watching games at the marina grill. Usually other Uk fans there too. Back home for NCAAT and will be at double dogs early on Thursday and Friday. Can’t do all day anymore but a good 6 hours 11-5 will work just fine. Thursday- Friday games for first round probably two of my favorite days of the year.

It makes little sense but I'll be singing Andy Williams during that first week leading up to Thursday.

 

[yes_takeaside]

Watch all UK games.

Start my tomato plants germinating.

Work on my golf game. The first local mini-tour event is 3/13. Will have to TiVo the Cats winning the SEC tourney and the Selection Show.

 

[BigTyrone]

I've always worked from home (well, past 15 years-ish). I can't do that with my current job so I have off Thursday and Friday of both weeks. We'll have the big projector going and at least one additional TV.

 

[CB3UK]

Usually I use vacation days for the first two days of the tournament. Not doing it this year, I need them for vacation this summer. Also may need one of those days in the back pocket if we make the title game.

Hopefully UK's game doesn't conflict with work, but if it does that opening game I can deal with listening to at work.

Otherwise it's going to be beer with the boys and a whole lot of basketball.

 

[_ukcat]

Bass fishing in March so doubt I see any day games. If water warms will be night Walleye fishing toward end of the month then Cruise last week of March thru April 5th

 

[CatPatrick13]

Chemo and watching the games. What a combination!

Good luck to you Brother..... hang in there...

 

[chroix]

Bong rips in the bomb shelter! LFG!!!

 

[YardCat]

Bong rips in the bomb shelter! LFG!!!

One hitters at home to control the anxiety

 

[MbergCat]

I'm still working from home, so I'll be half-working during the SECT and the first few rounds of the NCAAT. It's nice because rather than having to take days or afternoons off to watch tourney games, I can just wiggle my mouse every 10 mins to appear available while sitting on my couch.

I'll be in New Orleans on a long weekend vaca with the family for spring break on F4 weekend, so if we make it there, I'll be in the building!

Same!

 

[MbergCat]

Hoping we end up in Indy and if we make it to New Orleans, I plan to be there.

I'll be in NO that Sunday. If we win Saturday, I'll buy you a drink heading into Monday!

 

[STL_Cat]

Golf trip with the boys. The Thurs-Sun of Sweet 16-Elite 8 weekend. Golf in the am, casinos, drinking, and gambling in the evenings.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Lots of good plans! Where is your golf trip?

 

[STL_Cat]

Lots of good plans! Where is your golf trip?

Biloxi, MS. Great golf down there.

First two rounds will be "working" (lol) from home.

 

[JoeBeeHall]

I will be making short trips to the kitchen for refreshments with a trip to the rest room and then back to the recliner.
The week day games my darling wife will be working and my dog and I will have the run of the place.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I would really love to have Kentucky play at like.. 3pm.. They always play late and I'm always wasted by that point.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I will be making short trips to the kitchen for refreshments with a trip to the rest room and then back to the recliner.
The week day games my darling wife will be working and my dog and I will have the run of the place.

How do you watch all the games? Or you just focused on Kentucky?

Truth be told, I got into the tournament before I started to follow Kentucky. I think it's the greatest sporting event by a long shot. The reason we go to bars (aside from drinking) is because they can have all 4 games on at once. One friend asked us if we wanted to go to his place because he "has a TV and a laptop for the other game", and we laughed. Almost voted him out of the friend circle.

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

Every year since 1992 I have taken off work to watch the 1st round Thursday and Friday. 1991 was the last time I worked on those days.

Starting in 1995 I started taking off the Thursday and Friday during championship week as well.

Then I started taking off the Wed of champ week as well some years when good games were on but not doing that this year nothing good on in the afternoon really so just leaving work early.

Also started taking off the Friday during the sweet 16 about 5 years ago because I got too tired to stay up and watch Friday night's games I was falling asleep during them so I just take it off now.

So this year

Wed March 9th leaving work at 1 PM ET
Thu March 10th off
Fri March 11th off
Thu March 17th off
Fri March 18th off
Fri March 25th off

I need your job...or vacation days, anyhow. I'll take off the afternoons for the first round games on Thursday/Friday. Used to take both entire days; a little more judicious in using my sick days now.

 

[JoeBeeHall]

How do you watch all the games? Or you just focused on Kentucky?

Truth be told, I got into the tournament before I started to follow Kentucky. I think it's the greatest sporting event by a long shot. The reason we go to bars (aside from drinking) is because they can have all 4 games on at once. One friend asked us if we wanted to go to his place because he "has a TV and a laptop for the other game", and we laughed. Almost voted him out of the friend circle.

I have 2 tv's on plus a large screen computer with my lap top as the fourth.
I use a cooler and ice down a case then sit it on the low block. I have my wofford reverse at the elbow,
and I wear depends not for pooing though but they can take a shart.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Nice, that's an acceptable setup. I always laugh when people try and get me to go some where with 1 or 2 TVs.. not recognizing the importance of these days.

"Can I watch 4 games at once? No? .. thanks, I'm good."

 

[FishersBlue]

Figured we can use some fun discussion.

What are your plans for Champs week and March Madness? How much do you watch? Do you travel? Gamble? Taking work off?

Working from home, I usually keep the Champs Week on the background, TV in the office, Desktop PC and a tablet if needed. Kind of like the NFL championship games.. the weeks leading up to the "big game" are almost just as good. Champ week is seriously underrated.

For the tournament, I take off of work, and my friends and I have a tradition of going to the same local sports/dive bar, at 11am to get seats at the bar, and not leaving until the last game is over.. AND its St Patty's day, so it's gonna be a huge drunken debacle. We usually get about 10 to 15 people out over the course of the day. Day 2 of the tournament, we used to go back to the same bar.. but we've lately tried to mix it up and pick a different spot, as some of us live further away (for years, we lived 3 blocks from this bar, so it made sense)

Wish I was in a better location to see Kentucky play.. but im more than happy with our setup.

So let's hear the March Madness plans..

This is my favorite time of year...and I'm taking advantage of it! I live in the INDY area, so I'll be taking several days off for both the Big 10 Tournament (which is in INDY) and the NCAA Tournament. I'll attend the Friday sessions of the Big 10 Tournament and meet friends to watch the first 4 days of the NCAA tournament (Thur-Sun) at various pubs and sports bars. If UK is in Indy for the 1st 2 rounds I might try to get tickets.. All in all I'll likely take 4-5 days off work for the Madness. Because I love college basketball, I'm also attending the semi-finals and the finals of the Horizon League tournament next week. It's also here in IND and a ticket only cost 25 bucks to get you into the semi finals AND finals.

I also have a lot of teams to root for in the tournament. My son is a freshman at Purdue, so I'll cheer for the Boilers (unless they play UK). My daughter is a junior at Iowa, so I'll cheer for the Hawkeyes (unless they play UK). I'm a Butler grad but unfortunately the Bulldogs are not very good this year. And, of course, I'll be rooting for UK to make a run and win it all. Did I mention I love this time of year?

 

[STL_Cat]

How do you watch all the games? Or you just focused on Kentucky?

Truth be told, I got into the tournament before I started to follow Kentucky. I think it's the greatest sporting event by a long shot. The reason we go to bars (aside from drinking) is because they can have all 4 games on at once. One friend asked us if we wanted to go to his place because he "has a TV and a laptop for the other game", and we laughed. Almost voted him out of the friend circle.

The bolded is such an insane concept for I’d bet 99% of us posting here. I doubt any of us can remember a time “before we started following Kentucky.” 😮