Some Shots From the Tournament

I just got back from the NCAA Tournament in Orlando.  The Jaspers almost pulled the upset, but there's a reason why Louisville is the defending champs.  I would've liked a win, obviously, but I can't be disappointed.  It was an incredible game (and so was the Saint Louis-NC State game for that matter), and there's a great amount of pride in not just making it to the Tournament, but in giving the defending champions all they could handle and then some.  Manhattan didn't lose.  Louisville won.

Anyway, it was a working trip, but I also made sure I enjoyed it.  After all, I was in Florida in March.  I took full advantage of the outdoor pool and the knowledge that I wasn't in New York with its never-ending winter for a couple of days.  Also know that we rode in style.  A charter flight both ways and a police escort to the arena, which proved to be incredibly necessary.  As for the hotel, it was on the Disney campus, literally across the street from Downtown Disney.  There might be some Disney-themed presents coming the way of the little people in my life.

But we were down there for the basketball, and I made sure to document the trip for you, my loyal blog-reading friends.  This is just a selection of my pictures from the week, mainly from the open practice day on Wednesday.  I also omitted some shots that I would've wanted because they were either too blurry or I couldn't get them from the bus.  There is also a very limited number from game day itself.  Professional obligations kind of got in the way.  (Don't worry, I did manage to take some.)

My hotel key.

The hotel lobby (the banner's in front of a water wall, which is
behind the elevator).

Thanks to Milos, I was able to snag one of our
extra tickets as a souvenir.

The Jaspers during their open practice at the Amway Center.

Just in case you were wondering how big the official bracket
in the media room at each site is.

This is the press row side (the one that you couldn't see on TV).

Yeah, it's a big arena.

We went to the Colorado-Pitt game so that we could see the Slice Man
 (the guy who gave me my nickname), who's now a Pitt assistant.

Actual tip-off was 10:32.

The Jaspers take the floor for warm-ups.  (This was also the best
I was able to get of the two logos on the scorer's table.)

JasperNation was awesome!  (Fortunately, we didn't get Spokane!)

One last shot of the empty arena after the game.