Fans flock to local bar to watch NCAA Tournament
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The NCAA men’s basketball tournament got underway Thursday, and the big dance is bringing lots of hoops fans to local bars.
Early Thursday afternoon, The Score Restaurant and Sports Bar in Plainfield Township was packed for the start of the tourney.
“It’s the best weekend of the year, we love it,” said Chad Zitzelsberger, a Michigan State Spartans fan. “Not much work goes on this time of year, this Thursday and Friday, I always try to have a lighter schedule, take off work a little bit and get out.”
Tom Izzo, Michigan State pick up another first-round win in March Madness, topping Mississippi State
This year, MSU had the privilege of tipping off the first game of the tournament and there were plenty of Spartan fans and alumni catching the game at The Score.
“It makes you kind of feel like you’re back in East Lansing, you’re seeing a lot of green, you’re seeing a lot of white,” said Nick Funk, an MSU alumni.
Fans aren’t the only ones who have been looking to March.
“Thursday, usually you get a lot of business lunches, maybe some families or people just trying to enjoy a nice quiet afternoon, but with the tournament it’s loud, it’s energetic, it’s fun, everybody’s excited,” General Manager Jake O’Rourke said.
The March Madness energy also means good things for business.
“We definitely order a lot more food and drinks, people like to drink during these games,” O’Rourke said. “It’s a lot of work to get ready for it but we love it because there’s nothing like being busy all day and the sales are definitely a bonus.”
As the Spartans took home a victory, fans are hoping that Tom Izzo’s team can pull off another round of magic in March.
“Hasn’t been the year that we wanted so far, so hopefully we get some redemption with the tournament,” Zitzelsberger said.
“If you’re a Michigan State fan, your blood pressure raises no matter what game and what the score is, so we’re hoping for the best. Final Four, championship, who knows,” Funk said.
O’Rourke said The Score also does a bracket with gift cards on the line. The winner also gets to choose a charity that will receive a donation.
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