Arch Madness 2015 Tournament Discussion

[treeman]

Well it's that time of year again to start making your plans/reservations for Arch Madness. Last year it seemed that we had a solid Sycamore contingent there but a distant amount behind WSU. If you have never been to it, I highly recommend as it makes for a great weekend getaway and it seems this year will have exciting basketball and probably a surprise champion.

Here is your thread to discuss hotels, tickets, deals, food, drinks, entertainment, etc.

visit http://www.archmadness.com/ for a good place to start booking hotels and getting tickets. :sign-gosycamores:

Phone number to the Hilton St. Louis Downtown: (314) 436-0002 official hotel for ISU.

Phone number to the Hulman Center Ticket office: (877) ISU-TIXS.

 

[treeman]

Plenty to do around St. Louis, I highly recommend taking a Budweiser factory tour. Great tour about the history and process they use and you get FREE BEER at the end of the tour. Also, going up in the Arch is a must but if you are afraid of heights you have to check out the museum they have below the monument.

Last year I stayed at the Missouri Athletic Club, it's an old gentleman's club (not a strip club) with a hotel attached. it was dated, but had a cool feel to it as it had a full gym, basketball court, swimming pool, cigar lounge, etc.

 

[BrokerZ]

Interesting that you started this thread becuase I just got off the phone with the Hulman Center ticket office earlier this morning putting in my ticket order. All session tickets are on sale right now for $135 each until Jan 15. After Jan 15, they go up to $155 each.

One thing I was happy to hear was that they scrapped the horrendous fan hangout they've had the last few years. It was in the hotel bar of the Sheridan (or whatever hotel that's across the street from the Scottrade Center), and to call it depressing would be a compliment. They're moving it to Ballpark Village across from Busch Stadium. A MUCH better place. I plan on setting up shop there pretty much whenever ISU is not playing.

 

[Bluethunder]

Was there last year and stayed out by the airport where it is a little cheaper and rode the metro into downtown each day. Won't make it this year but once my kids are old enough to either go with or stay home by themselves I plan to attend regularly.

If you are a fan of college basketball it is something you have to do, you won't regret it.

 

[treeman]

I did the priceline bid thing where I put i wanted a 3 star hotel in downtown St. Louis for $70 and they accepted my bid. It worked out perfect for me and my crew but it is a bit of a risk.

 

[Daveinth]

Was there last year and stayed out by the airport where it is a little cheaper and rode the metro into downtown each day. Won't make it this year but once my kids are old enough to either go with or stay home by themselves I plan to attend regularly.

If you are a fan of college basketball it is something you have to do, you won't regret it.

I started going in 2011 and have stayed out in that area every year doing the same I have stayed at the Hilton, Sheraton , and Crowne Plaza all for the $45 a night name your own price on priceline . The Metro picks up in the airport drops you off in front of the ScotTrade and the hotel shuttle picks you up and drops you off . I think it costs like $7 for all day rides on the metro so you do not have to worry about drinking and driving . I ordered my tickets last night. To be honest this is one of the weekends I truly look forward to every year .

 

[BrokerZ]

To be honest this is one of the weekends I truly look forward to every year .

Same here. For those that haven't been before, even if you don't think ISU has much of a chance to advance deep in the tournament, it's still worth the time, effort and funds to make the trip. Ouside of 2011 when we beat WSU in the semifinals and I saw a fight outside, nearly all opposing team fans are friendly and courteous and nice to talk to. Most are there to celebrate MVC hoops and support their school.

It's the one time every year where I round up my best friends from ISU and we meet for a weekend. We rarely get together otherwise, so it's a chance to reconnect and act like we're 21 again.

 

[treeman]

i know i don't have many expenses compared to most (a single 24 year old that split hotel and gas with buddies) but this is a relatively cheap trip for what you are getting. my purchases last year:

gas: $20
hotel: $40
Parking: $7
tickets: $30 (i used my old student I.D. to get $10 student tickets)
food: whatever you want to spend
alcohol: whatever you want to spend
in all i probably spent about $150 the entire weekend and i went out every night, went to every game, went to the budweiser factory, went to the arch.

 

[treeman]

Last year i was impressed with amount of students that Loyola brought to St. Louis. I know they brought them over on charter buses but does anybody know how they worked that out with their students? it would be nice to figure out a similar deal with our students and as it falls on the front half of the students spring break, it might serve as nice alternative for the students that aren't going down south.

 

[IndyTreeFan]

Many years ago, before ISU started to not care about its fans, they took charter busses over to St. Louis. I know, my parents rode one. Doesn't seem like it would be that difficult to accomplish. Sell a package through The Forest. I'm sure there would be enough interest to make it happen...

 

[Westbadenboy]

Good point the students -- don't know how they did it but boy did ISU have a great turnout of students at IUPUI this year.

 

[Bluethunder]

Good point the students -- don't know how they did it but boy did ISU have a great turnout of students at IUPUI this year.

They brought two bus loads of students. Not sure if that was all the Forest doing the planning or working with the school. I would love to see the school do a charter package to St. Louis. I would much rather drive to Terre Haute and leave my car there and have someone else do the driving for the last 3 hours.

 

[ISUCC]

question, has anyone ever just gone to Arch Madness on a whim and had difficulty finding places to stay, etc?? I am thinking about driving down this year if I can get the time off from work. That's the weekend of my 50th birthday and I'd like to do something fun to celebrate.

 

[bluestreak]

question, has anyone ever just gone to Arch Madness on a whim and had difficulty finding places to stay, etc?? I am thinking about driving down this year if I can get the time off from work. That's the weekend of my 50th birthday and I'd like to do something fun to celebrate.

CC...there is a lot of construction going on around the arch right now. They are putting a "lid" over the I 70 depressed section that will allow pedestrian access to the arch grounds. Previously it was damn difficult to walk from downtown, stadium, the loft area, etc. to the arch grounds. The "lid" will actually be a green space, with trees and walkways. As far as parking there is a three story parking garage right to the north of the arch grounds - always seem sto be plenty of parking there. Also if you don't want to mess with the construction mess, park at the Casino Queen and take the metrolink to the first stop, which is LaClede Landing. That will put you right at the aforementioned parking garage.

 

[Gotta Hav]

question, has anyone ever just gone to Arch Madness on a whim and had difficulty finding places to stay, etc?? I am thinking about driving down this year if I can get the time off from work. That's the weekend of my 50th birthday and I'd like to do something fun to celebrate.

I don't know about lodging availability for any March Madness (but their should be more availability without all of the Creighton fans) this year, but generally speaking, I think that the St Louis area has lots of hotel room capacity.

I've gotten cheap rooms on two different occassions for Cardinals games on Priceline.com, on the day of the game.....at the Hyatt and Hilton for $50.00 and $75.00 respectively......plus there are tons of namebrand and nice hotels out by the airport, that are high quality and inexpensive....but again...those rooms have all been obtained via priceline.com.

Daveinth is also a pro at getting good deals on priceline for March Madness.

 

[BrokerZ]

question, has anyone ever just gone to Arch Madness on a whim and had difficulty finding places to stay, etc?? I am thinking about driving down this year if I can get the time off from work. That's the weekend of my 50th birthday and I'd like to do something fun to celebrate.

You won't have any problems finding a hotel room provided St. Louis' Mardi Gras celebration isn't the same weekend. You'll have issues finding lodging if they're the same days - a lot of people decend upon St. Louis for their Mardi Gras festivities.

 

[ISUCC]

thanks for the suggestions all, seems like Priceline the day I arrive might be a good option. Or maybe I can walk into a hotel near Scottrade and just ask what their best rate is, and if it's not to my liking I'll just go elsewhere. Hopefully I can get the time off work

 

[Huff77]

Hey everyone....me and 3-4 other guys go every year...let me say its quite possibly the best tournament in college sports. We do try to be frugal. This year we will be staying 7 miles from the STC in Cahokia, IL at the Comfort Inn/Suites for 60/night (incl. taxes and fees)...you can find this option under Express deals at priceline. I've noticed that Hotwire has been fluctuating the cost of the Days Inn downtown from anywhere between 50 and 70 (not including taxes)....thats the cheapest you will find downtown, but its in a not so great spot. We've also been known to stay near the Airport...usually you can get a nice all inclusive place there for around 65. But beware of the high star hotels around the airport...most make you pay for parking, which is an addition 10-12 dollars a night.

Event tickets....it all depends on what you're willing to spend. If you're just looking to get in with some friends, Purina has a coupon that gets 4 people in with 4 sodas, and 2 popcorn for $50 a session....comes out to $12.50 a person. Granted, you'll be sitting at the top, but there are always plenty of seats available to move to. Also, you can usually find some people giving tickets away after their team has been eliminated. Last year a Bradley family gave us their day 2 passes for no charge. Check the archmadness website for the ticket discounts. Subways are running a promotion for $7 off a ticket at the gate in team cities, and $12 off a ticket at the game in the St. Louis metro area. And of course there is always the scalper option. But beware and be ready to haggle.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

Arch Madness Tournament Discussion

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

6:00pm - G1 - #8 Missouri State (11-19, 5-13) vs #9 Southern Illinois (11-20, 4-14) - 55-48
8:30pm - G2 - #7 Drake (9-21, 6-12) vs #10 Bradley (8-23, 3-15) - 52-50

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

12:00pm - G3 - #1 Wichita State (27-3, 17-1) vs #9 Southern Illinois (12-20, 4-14) - 56-45
2:30pm - G4 - #4 Illinois State (19-11, 11-7) vs #5 Evansville (19-11, 9-9) - 71-67
6:00pm - G5 - #2 UNI (27-3, 16-2) vs #10 Bradley (9-23, 3-15) - 71-46
8:30pm - G6 - #3 Indiana State (15-15, 11-7) vs #6 Loyola (18-12, 8-10)

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

1:30pm - G7 - #1 Wichita State (28-3, 17-1) vs #4 Illinois State (20-11, 11-7)
4:00pm - G8 - #2 UNI (28-3, 16-2) vs Winner of G6

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

1:00pm - G9 - Winner of G7 vs Winner of G8 on CBS Sports

NOTE: All tip times are St. Louis (CST) time.

 

[BallyPie]

Gotta feeling we'll be there on Sunday.........UNI is beatable on a neutral floor.....