Turn Phoenix (Bruin) Blue

A few of the MSM have jumped off the bandwagon, and are picking WKU to win on Thursday (Hubert Davis, Woody Paige,etc.) Haven't they notice the pattern in 2nd round games (1995,2006,2007), we tend to struggle, but turn it around. It's okay, we'll grind out as many wins to make it happen.

I think Wazzu will give UNC all they handle and the Stanford-Texas game will be awesome. 3 PAC-10 teams in the elite 8, that will be great!

For those going to Phoenix, bring the energy and noise at the onset of the game.
Any recommendations for restaurants and spots in Phoenix?

Go Bruins!

I have been impressed that at Pauley and the Rose Bowl the good guys have finally gotten LOUD.  Not always.  Not consistently.  But against Texas, AZ, Michigan last year we have gotten loud.

But I am amazed people can't figure out that blue is the color they are suppose to wear.  I keep hoping the AD will give a $1 to everyone wearing the right color or something.  Even when they gave away blue T-shirts before last year's SC game, most did not wear blue?!?!?!??!

Glad you are promoting the magic of blue!

In regards to wearing blue, I love the blue bootleg shirts that have been made for the team...moutekicksboute, howlandismyhomeboy, nomatawhat, camerooncraziers, allyouneedislove.
These shirts get more attention than the regular Bear Wear.

Can't tell you a lot about hotels as I've never needed one here and my friends have always crashed on our couch.  Better that you focus in on where you want to be if that's important to you.  Downtown PHX is growing and improving...but the biggest draw there is you're near the game.  Certainly good eating and drinking options around the arena.  If the nightlife and being seen is your thing, Scottsdale is what you're looking for.  You'll pay more to be there, but nothing like two months ago when the Superbowl was here and Scottsdale was the center of the universe.  Central Phoenix...near the Biltmore...is another fun option.  Great dining and bars, lots of shopping and a 10-15 minute drive to downtown, but make sure you're near the Biltmore.  Stay away from metro center and most other places way far away.  I'm sure there's lots of good places in Tempe which gets you next to Mill Avenue and the ASU nightlife which isn't hard on the eyes.

Food?  Not quite sure where to start.  Depends so much on where you're staying and what you're looking for.  Burn your mouth off Mexican?  Los Dos Molinos wayyyyyyyy down in South Phoenix.  Great cheesy yummy Mexican not so far away?  Tee Pee Tap Room on Indian School.  Fancy neauveau Mexican?  Barrio Cafe on 16th St.  Unique and creative Mexican?  Richardson's at 16th and Bethany Home.  Awesome stone fired pizza worth the only two-three hour wait in Phoenix?  Pizzeria Bianco in downtown near Chase.  Great east coast style pie? NYPD...lots of locations(google them).  Family pizza with the most awesome pie in town? Spinato's(several locations...google them too...you can take your own beer/wine with no corking fee...closest location likely Glendale at 12th St.)

I could go on to sushi and burgers...but I'll leave it to you to contact me if you have more questions about specific types of eateries.

Tons to do in Phoenix in your downtime...too bad you'll likely just miss spring training, one of the most fantastic parts of being in the valley.  If you get here Wednesday AM you could catch a game then...otherwise I think Thursday is when most teams play their last game and head home.  Outdoor person?  The summit hike at Squaw Peak is a valley staple...Camelback and South Mountain are other options.  Cultural dude?  The Heard Museum is thought of as the best Native American museums in the country.  Tons of great bars to watch the Friday games at...again, just depends what part of town you're in.  I'll likely stop by Half Moon on Highland here in central phx.  Again, lots of fun places on Mill in Tempe...it would remind you of barhopping in Westwood back when Stratton's was Stratton's.

That's all off the top of my head...drop me a line with any questions.  I'll likely grab late breakfast and some screwdrivers Saturday morning if you'd like to join me.  Just drop a line...I'm not so into the Bruin Bash....love the company but my wife's a non-drinker and we can't get $100(50 x 2) worth of food and booze into us in the hour we'll be there.  Alicecoopertown, Jackson's and Majerle's are all other options near the arena.

Go Bruins!

I think the guys at moutekicksboute.com are currently out or not making the shirts.

However, the guy who makes the Howland is My Homeboy shirts, Daniel, can be reached at howlandismyhomeboy@yahoo.com    The shirt is a lighter shade of Bruin blue.

Scalping on the street is legal in Arizona as long as it's not on the grounds of the event...which basically means the scalpers stand across the street from the arena.  You won't have any trouble finding them, or vice versa.  

Typical laws of supply and demand apply...if you have to buy early in order in be there when the boys come out for early warmups and the band strikes up the fight song for the first time(that's me), you'll have to pay more to get those tix a couple of hours before the game.  If you have the strength to wait until just after tip off, scalpers are looking to dump tickets they may not be able to sell at all if they wait a lot longer.

I've also heard what Bruin Grad and Dad said...that a lot of alums whose team loses on Thursday sell their tix for Saturday...I would guess you would want to catch them coming out of the arena on Thursday if possible.

By the way, our local paper this morning has the open practice times posted.  UCLA's open practice will be Wednesday from 3:10-4:00pm at US Airways.