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Possible Indiana-Kentucky Second Round Matchup Heats Up Ticket Market In Des Moines

The potential for an Indiana-Kentucky match in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Des Moines on Saturday has made the session the "most expensive ticket of the first weekend," according to Mark Alesia of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. A SeatGeek spokesperson earlier this week said that the ticket market's average resale price "was $341 for Saturday's two second-round games." The lowest asking price for "just the second round" was $250 at StubHub. But with the potential matchup "within driving distance for both fan bases," it is "possible television would want IU-Kentucky on Saturday night, putting the historic rivals on during prime time." Bloomington is 504 miles from Des Moines, while Lexington is 667 (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 3/15). SeatGeek said that an "all-session pass for games in Des Moines currently averages $596 on its site -- the highest among all eight regional sites." In Des Moines, Kevin Hardy noted tickets for all sessions in Providence "are averaging $562." On the "low end, all-session seats in Spokane, are averaging $409, while St. Louis tickets are $400" (DES MOINES REGISTER, 3/15). 

CLASH OF THE TITANS: In Des Moines, Chris Cuellar noted Wells Fargo Arena "was sent four titans" with Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky, and UConn playing there, with "huge fan bases expected to travel to the debuting host site." Site organizers "want this weekend to give the NCAA a positive first impression," and the Selection Committee provided a "stacked field to set them up for success." Wells Fargo Arena GM Chris Connolly said, "This is like an audition for us, and we want to roll out the red carpet for the athletes and the NCAA. We want to do a really good job with it so we're in a position to get it again." Brooklyn is the "only other first-time city in this tournament cycle ... and it received neither a top seed, nor a regional power" (DES MOINES REGISTER, 3/16). In Minneapolis, Amelia Rayno writes Des Moines officials "have got to be fist-pumping over this all-star lineup." Rayno: "That's four of the more storied, prideful programs in the sport, four of the best-traveling, most passionate and somewhat irrational fan bases" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/17).

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