CHICAGO (WLS) — The thrill of March Madness has taken hold across the Chicago area, energizing local basketball enthusiasts.
Fans of the Fighting Illini are on a high after their team clinched a victory over Houston on Thursday night.
All eyes now shift to Chicago for Friday night’s games at the United Center, where Michigan will face off against Alabama, and Iowa State will challenge Tennessee.
This time of year is particularly exciting for sports fans, as they eagerly root for their favorite teams still in the running.
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For Andrew and Brad McCutcheon, March Madness has become a cherished family tradition.
“We started doing it a couple of years ago. I’m not quite sure why we began,” Andrew McCutcheon admitted.
The father-son duo traveled to Chicago from Ottawa, Canada as a part of their yearly trek to witness college basketball’s race for the crown. There’s no rivalry for them yet, but this could be the year.
“The fun thing is we come here kind of neutral,” Brad McCutcheon said. “We don’t have a horse in the game, and then as a tournament goes on.”
The college hoops fans are among those hanging out at Theory, an upscale sports bar in the River North neighborhood for Iowa fans.
Jon Nelson made the five-hour drive with his two best friends to see his beloved Iowa State Cyclones play.
“Iowa [State] hasn’t been in the Sweet 16 since ’99, but for Iowa, we don’t have professional sports,” Nelson said. “Our professional sports is college sports. When Iowa and Iowa State make it here, we come to visit you all in Chicago.”
“I don’t think there’s anything like March Madness,” Iowa State Cyclones fan Daniel Wandling said. “It’s so electric for so many different colleges to get together. The upsets, the underdog is rooting for it.”
Friday night at the United Center, No. 2 seed Iowa State plays No. 6 seed Tennessee while Michigan takes on Alabama. The winners of those games will play in the Elite Eight in Chicago on Sunday.
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Meanwhile, the University of Illinois Fighting Illini beat Houston in the South Region Sweet 16 to advance to the Elite Eight.
Illini alum and Weathermark Tavern owner Mark Stern says his team can go all the way.
‘We’ve been rooting for Illini,” Stern said. “We’re an official Chicago Illini, so we get lots and lots of fans in here. Last night in here it was packed.”
While March Madness fans are celebrating for the nail-biting buzzer beaters and brackets, the event also delivers an economic boost to a hosting city. Experts say chicago could see nearly $25 million in visitor spending as fans travel for the regionals.
“It’s an incredible way for us to showcase our city,” Chicago sports commission executive director Kara Bachman said. “Of course you’re a fan of a team, you know how March Madness, is you wanna follow your team you wanna follow your alma mater and it brings people in from all over.”
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