San Antonio
2008 Final Four
April 7, 2008
I got into town with just enough time to head to the Alamodome to try to buy tickets
for the National Championship game: Memphis and Kansas. Since I'm staying in
the same hotel as Memphis' team I'm torn: if they win I don't get any
sleep, however it may be a fun party to join.
I made it to the Alamodome a couple hours early, however ticket prices were high,
higher than I wanted to pay for two teams I've been rooting against for the
past couple rounds. Two hours before game time upper level corner seats were $100
each, an hour before about the same. About 45 minutes before tip off I thought "this
is my last chance, if I don't find anything good now, I'll have to head
back to make the tip," when ticket prices fell and the scalpers almost became
desperate and seemed to be competing with each other to discharge their tickets.
I found a ticket near center court, however in the rafters; the $50 price tag, however
was unbeatable, so I bought it and went in.
The dome was electric before tip and people wore their shirts from every school,
even if they didn't make the Final Four, much less the Big Dance. I had little
motivation to root for either team, however I found myself surrounded by Kansas
fans, including the students next to me, so I agreed to root for Kansas to make
my evening more interesting.
The first half was competitive, but the second half consisted of run after run,
until Memphis seemed to have compiled an insurmountable lead with only a couple
minutes left. However, unlike most basketball games, the fouling game started turning
in Kansas's favor as Memphis continued to miss from the charity strip and Kansas
couldn't miss from the field. As the clock ticked down the crowd rose to their
feet as Kansas hit a three-pointer with almost no time left.
That final shot not only sent the game into overtime, it also was a dagger in the
back of Memphis as they collapsed in overtime and Kansas ran away with it.
My hotel was silent that night... I slept like a rock.
2008 Final Four
April 8, 2008
I still had today to relax before my meeting so hit all the tourist spots like the
Alamo and spent some time on the River Walk. There's little here other than
the Alamo that make this city unique.
For dinner, I found a Mexican restaurant away from everything. When I entered I
noticed I was the only white person there... it was exactly what I was looking for.
Most of the people here were families and I think I was the only person dining alone,
but I was there for the atmosphere and food, not the company I failed to bring with
me. Neither the atmosphere nor food disappointed.
Alamo
San Fernando Cathedral