WAC Tournament Information

This year could be your last opportunity to see TECH men and women play in Las Vegas. The WAC tournament will be Tuesday, March 12th - Saturday, March 16th at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Seeds 7-10 for men and women play Tuesday, March 12th with the winners advancing to the quarterfinals. Women's quarterfinal action will have 4 games on Wednesday, March 13th and the men's quarterfinal begins Thursday, March 14th. Women's and men's semifinals are Friday with the finals on Saturday night.

Make your plans now to attend the tournament. Follow this link - http://wacbasketball.com/hotel-info - and use the code WACFANS to get rooms at a reduced group rate. Rates are $40 a night for Monday - Thursday and Sunday and $100 a night for Friday and Saturday nights.

I will be going to Vegas on Wednesday on American Airlines out of Shreveport with a plane change at DFW. Will return Monday, March 18th on Allegiant Air on a direct flight to Shreveport. Total airfare was about $350. On both airlines there are additional fees for checked bags.

Book your air transportation soon as seats are filling up fast. Fans of several schools are using the same flights we are to get to Las Vegas. The Orleans does not offer an airport shuttle so you will need to take a shuttle or taxi to the Orleans. You can pay for the shuttle in advance or at the airport.

Tournament tickets can be purchased in advance at TECH (all sessions) or you can wait and buy tickets at the arena. If you plan to attend all the sessions the tickets through TECH will save you some money over buying them at the arena. (Note: each year I've been to the WAC tournament I've gotten extra tickets from fans of teams that have been eliminated).

For those who want a longer adventure consider taking a road trip to Las Cruces for the NMSU game on Thursday, March 7th, on to Denver for the March 9th game, and then to Vegas for the tournament...a round trip of about 3800 miles from Ruston. I thought about this plan after booking my trip.

Also register on this thread to play in the 2nd Annual "TECH78" bowling classic which will be held on Saturday at the 70 lane bowling alley in the Orleans Casino. I am the defending champion.:)

More information about tournament ticket prices:

If you are a college student/youth under 12, buy single session tickets and save money.
If you will attend only the women's games, you can buy an all-session ticket for $50.
If you will attend men's games, all-session tickets would be cheaper if you attend all the men's sessions and, as a bonus, women's tickets are included.

The 2013 WAC Basketball Tournament will consist of 18 games in ten sessions. Tickets for the 2013 WAC Basketball Tournament can be purchased as either an all-session ticket or as a single-session ticket.

All-session tickets are on sale now through WAC Institutions and beginning December 17, 2012 through the Orleans Arena Box Office. Fans are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets from their institution’s ticket office to avoid service fees associated with ticket sales through the Orleans Arena site. TECH ticket office phone number is 318-257-3631.

ALL-SESSION TICKET PRICES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
All-session (Adult, Youth & Students):

Level P1 (Courtside)	$300
Level P2 (Majority of arena with exception of upper end zone)	$165
Level P3 (Upper end zone seats in Sec. 109, 110 and 111)	$135

2013 SINGLE SESSION TICKET PRICES


Single-session tickets, which allow access to the two games listed in the session will not be available for purchase until the day of the respective games, and can only be purchased through the Orleans Arena Box Office. Below are the prices for each session.

Students and youth under age 12:

Single session end zone seating can be purchased on a daily basis on-site at the Orleans Arena for $20 per day.

First Round/Quarterfinals:

Women: $15 each session
Men: $45 each session

Semifinals:

Women: $20
Men: $60

Finals:

Women: $25
Men: $70

Hoop Troop will be there with a group of 24! I can't wait!

Last year fans from other schools were asking where was our Hoop Troop? Ours was the only school without a spirit band and our band is the most entertaining - and it was embarrassing that Tech didn't send them. We (some Tech fans) let Tech officials know that this could not happen again. So glad to hear that they will be going - they add so much to the game atmosphere.

If you have any thought about going to the WAC tournament, and you aren't planning to drive, now is the time to make reservations for your flight. In addition to the regular heavy weekend traffic departing Vegas, the Pac-12 tournament will be held March 13-16 in Las Vegas, which is the same time frame as the Mountain West Conference tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center (UNLV) and the WAC tournament at the Orleans Arena. The Orleans Arena hosts the West Coast Coast Conference tournament the first weekend in March. The Pac-12 tournament is at the MGM Grand.

Getting excited about Bulldog basketball? Well, there's a possibility of seeing 3 games in 3 days at the WAC tournament. Here's some information if you are thinking about flying. If you find a good deal, please book it and then post it for others.

Nonstop air transportation is still available to Las Vegas from Shreveport on low cost carrier Allegiant Air but they only operate Mondays and Thursdays. Other airlines flying from Shreveport to Las Vegas are now $450+ depending on dates and times.

Some flights from DFW to Las Vegas are still just over $300.

Little Rock to LV, going thru Atlanta, available for $379 on Delta:

http://www.priceline.com/airlines/fa...pgnm=DEPARTURE

Saving my $$$ for the Big Dance...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

Saving my $$$ for the Big Dance...

---

Hopefully, it will be a short road trip to Austin.

First Four (March 19 and 20)

• University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, Ohio

Second and third rounds

• March 21 and 23
  • The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan (Host: Oakland University)
  • Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky (Host: University of Kentucky)
  • EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah (Host: University of Utah)
  • HP Pavilion, San Jose, California (Host: West Coast Conference)
• March 22 and 24
  • University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, Ohio (Host: University of Dayton)
  • Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas (Host: University of Texas at Austin)
  • Sprint Center, Kansas City, Missouri (Host: Missouri Valley Conference)
  • Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Host: Temple University)

Probabilities of winning WAC Tournament
33.02% - Denver
26.24% - Louisiana Tech
19.11% - New Mexico State
14.79% - Utah State
3.93% - UT Arlington
2.33% - Idaho
0.29% - Seattle U
0.12% - UTSA
0.08% - San Jose State
0.08% - Texas State

Cue Dawg80.

You'd have to get to Dallas but Southwest is running some nice specials right now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bigdog13

You'd have to get to Dallas but Southwest is running some nice specials right now.

---

Flights on Southwest from Love Field in Dallas continue to be among the best fares available. A Monday return date will save you $200 over a Sunday return. You can book a room at the Orleans on Sunday night for $40 if you call the reservations desk and use the code WACFANS.

How about this fare - You can fly from Dallas Love Field through Little Rock and then on to Vegas on Wednesday, March 13th for $123. If you fly out of Little Rock without starting at Love Field the fare is $180 for the flight.

Airfares to Las Vegas continue to rise because of demand. Make your plans now to attend the tournament to avoid a larger fare.

If you plan to stay at the Orleans, see the first post for a link to the website for discounted rooms.

Next year's 2014 CUSA tournament will be in El Paso, TX at the Don Haskins Center. I hope the conference will consider moving it to a neutral site like Dallas/Ft Worth (ex. Dr Pepper Arena).

Big market, CUSA HQ is there, huge airport, lots to do...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HoDo-Tech70

Flights on Southwest from Love Field in Dallas continue to be among the best fares available. A Monday return date will save you $200 over a Sunday return. You can book a room at the Orleans on Sunday night for $40 if you call the reservations desk and use the code WACFANS.

How about this fare - You can fly from Dallas Love Field through Little Rock and then on to Vegas on Wednesday, March 13th for $123. If you fly out of Little Rock without starting at Love Field the fare is $180 for the flight.

Airfares to Las Vegas continue to rise because of demand. Make your plans now to attend the tournament to avoid a larger fare.

If you plan to stay at the Orleans, see the first post for a link to the website for discounted rooms.

---

After the Wright Ammendment expires next year you won't have to stop in Little Rock or ABQ either. You will be able to non-stop anywhere from Love Field.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bigdog13

After the Wright Ammendment expires next year you won't have to stop in Little Rock or ABQ either. You will be able to non-stop anywhere from Love Field.

---

Damn that Jim Wright.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dawg06

Probabilities of winning WAC Tournament
33.02% - Denver
26.24% - Louisiana Tech
19.11% - New Mexico State
14.79% - Utah State
3.93% - UT Arlington
2.33% - Idaho
0.29% - Seattle U
0.12% - UTSA
0.08% - San Jose State
0.08% - Texas State

Cue Dawg80.

---

I do like Denver. Like the way they play. But, nope, the Dawgs will take the title in Vegas!

Are the WAC tournament games going to be available to view online? Would that be through the WAC or through Tech All-Access? I know that the final will be on ESPN, but I would also like to see Tech's first two games of the tourney. Anyone know the answer to this one?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by techfreak

Are the WAC tournament games going to be available to view online? Would that be through the WAC or through Tech All-Access? I know that the final will be on ESPN, but I would also like to see Tech's first two games of the tourney. Anyone know the answer to this one?

---

You will be able to stream through WAC site. I have done this for several years and it usually has been
A pretty good feed

New Mexico State sold out of its WAC Tournament ticket allotment and has requested more tickets to sell.

Ways to get to Las Vegas - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles or take the Greyhound

– Leave Ruston 11:15 p.m. Tuesday – Arrive Las Vegas 6:45 a.m. Thursday - $159.
– Leave Las Vegas 6:45 a.m. Sunday - Arrive Ruston 8:25 a.m. Tuesday- $173

Airfares from Dallas to Vegas with a Thursday departure and Monday return are still available for under $400.


THINKING AHEAD - Should we win the WAC tournament or get an at-large bid, here's what is next in the NCAA tournament. (Mileage is from TECH)

Thursday & Saturday games

Palace at Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI 1076 miles- fly into Detroit
Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY 708 miles
EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City, UT 1496 miles
HP Pavilion, San Jose, CA 1944 miles

Friday & Sunday games

University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, OH 818 miles
Frank Erwin Center, Austin, TX 377 miles
Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO 590 miles
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA 1264 miles


If the DAWGS have a game Thursday in Salt Lake City or San Jose, I will fly directly from Vegas to the game without returning home. Any other date/location, I will catch my scheduled flight to Shreveport on Monday, March 18th before making the trip to the NCAA tournament game.

All locations other than San Jose or Salt Lake City can be reached by car or a cheaper flight than from Las Vegas.

Thursday, March 14 - Men’s Quarterfinals (times converted to Central Time Zone)

2:00 p.m. - #3 NMSU vs. #6 Idaho

4:30 p.m. - #2 Denver vs. Winner of #7 and #10 (played Tuesday)


8:00 p.m. - #1 Louisiana TECH vs. Winner of #8 vs. #9 (played Tuesday)

10:30 p.m. - #4 UTSA vs. #5 Utah State



If we win Thursday night, we will play the second game (10:30 p.m. CT) on Friday night vs. the winner of the UTSA vs. Utah State game.

The championship game Saturday night tips off at 10 p.m. CT.

The Thursday night San Jose State-UTSA rainout left both teams at 3-14 with Seattle at 3-15. Texas State is #7 seed with a 5-13 record. I could have done some looking into the results for San Jose, UTSA, and Seattle to determine more about the impact of the rainout, but my guess is that our DAWGS will play the winner of the Tuesday UTSA vs. San Jose State game in our first tournament action on Thursday night. A makeup game for the rainout before Tuesday night would be a waste. I think all will agree just to settle it on the court Tuesday night.

It hasn't been officially announced yet, but Tech will be the #1 seed based on RPI numbers through yesterday's games. Tech is 47 (tie for 46 with Iowa State but dropped based on lower SOS), while Denver is 58 and NMSU is 59.

There are no makeup games in basketball. The way the standings finished up was the best possible scenario for the WAC oiffice since they should be able to pair UTSA and SJSU against each other anyway.

It's official *8 SJSU plays #9 UTSA Tuesday night and the winner advances to play #1 seed Louisiana TECH on Thursday night. In the other first round game, #7 seed Texas State plays #10 seed Seattle Tuesday and the winner advances to play #2 Denver Thursday.

Win 3 games in 3 night and earn the automatic berth. That's the plan.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HoDo-Tech70

Win 3 games in 3 night and earn the automatic berth. That's the plan.

---

Maybe we will have our full starting 11 back by Thursday. I like our depth in this type play.

Updated probabilities of winning the WAC auto bid
50.27% - Denver
21.72% - La Tech
14.45% - NM State
9.97% - Utah State
2.39% - UT-Arlington
0.75% - Idaho
0.31% - Seattle
0.12% - UTSA
0.02% - TSU-San Marcos
0.00% - San Jose State

They don't get to play at a mile high on top of an ice rink this week. I think this tourney will belong to the Bulldogs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dawg06

Updated probabilities of winning the WAC auto bid
50.27% - Denver
21.72% - La Tech
14.45% - NM State
9.97% - Utah State
2.39% - UT-Arlington
0.75% - Idaho
0.31% - Seattle
0.12% - UTSA
0.02% - TSU-San Marcos
0.00% - San Jose State

---

Are the games on ESPN3?

http://www.wacsports.com/liveEvents/...B_OEM_ID=10100

UTA is a lower seed that could make some noise in this tournament.

I'm now watching the WCC championship game with #1 Gonzaga vs. St. Mary's from the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The WAC tournament starts tomorrow in the same arena.

Wouldn't bet on a game with my money but I'm getting interested in how to read the odds. Here is some information from the internet about Las Vegas odds on Tuesday's first round game.

03/12 9:00 PM 575 Seattle 576 Texas State

-3 -10 145u-10

I understand that the over and under is 145. What do the other numbers mean? Do you bet $11 to win $10 on all these bets? What are the odds on TECH winning the WAC?