Vegas Vibe: Fans Returning To College Hoops Tourneys In Las Vegas Created Electric Madness Atmosphere
Story by Alan Snel Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
Two years ago, most of the college hoops tourneys in Las Vegas were wiped out when a virus pandemic shut down the sports industry. And last year, the college basketball teams came to Las Vegas, but fans were not allowed.
But amid the emotions and three-point shots and pick-and-rolls were fans in the arenas.
It was a big deal.
Without fans in the building, games are glorified pick-up games in nice venues with players in nice uniforms.
With fans, the games are community and a spectacle.
LVSportsBiz.com reported the scenes from the hoops madness in Las Vegas and please enjoy photographer Tyge O’Donnell’s work.
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Mascot personality. Gonzaga wins its berth with a win over Saint Mary’s at Orleans Arena.
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Wyoming — with the Pope’s number one foam finger — knocked out UNLV at Thomas & Mack Center.
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Long Beach State fell to Cal State Fullerton by a single point in the Big West final in the first ticketed event at the new Dollar Loan Center arena in Henderson.
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The Boise State Broncos earned an automatic big to the Big Dance with a one-point win over San Diego State in the Mountain West Conference final.
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Gonzaga’s fans take over Orleans Arena for the West Coast Conference tourney.
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The San Francisco Dons had a nice season, but lost to Gonzaga. But the Dons are going dancing, after all.
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Boise State is known for football, but the Broncos are going dancing in a few days.
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The Wyoming Barrel Man is a fan favorite, but we all hope those suspenders never malfunction.
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The TV broadcast of UCLA vs USC did not include legend Bill Walton, but neither team won the Pac-12 at T-Mobile Arena. Arizona won the tourney.
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