Basketball fans show their pride on game day
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTVD) -- There's something about getting decked out in your favorite team colors that transforms the way people behave in public.
When you believe your team has what it takes to go all way and win an NCAA championship title, you want to shout it from the rooftops and for fans in Indianapolis this week for the NCAA Men's Final Four, into every television camera around.
Fans are taking over this city in a sea of Duke-blue, Wisconsin-red, Michigan State-green and that other blue that Blue Devils fans don't like to acknowledge, Kentucky.
Duke fans have the farthest trip to make, but those who do are some of the most dedicated you'll find. Today I met Austin Dubisar, a Duke fan since childhood, who made the nine hour car ride from Durham just to see the Blue Devils in action. When I asked him how he feels about getting the chance to be part of this weekend he told me, "I got to go to the Duke Carolina game at Duke this year. It's better than that, and it's hard to beat that!"
The excitement is building ahead of gameday, and Indianapolis is trying to harness all that energy with a slew of free activities to get fans pumped.
Luckily, I'm staying at a hotel directly across the street from the city's March Madness Music Fest, a three day concert featuring a star-studded lineup including Rihanna, Weezer, Lady Antebellum, and Zac Brown Band to name a few.
For the ultimate pre-game experience, walk just steps down the street and you'll find a huge interactive Fan Fest inside the biggest convention center I've ever seen. Visitors can meet coaches and former players at autograph sessions, attend youth clinics and play sports like basketball, lacrosse and hockey. At Lucas Oil Stadium, fans lined up on open practice day hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite players and coaches preparing for the main event. As for how Duke fans feel about their chances this weekend, here's what they told me:
"Oh, yeah. No problem. They'll win. I'll say double digits."
"I think they could win the whole thing!"
"They're the only team that's going to beat Kentucky."
Tip-off is at 6:09 p.m.
