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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