5 Shining Tidbits From Minneapolis Final Four Trip

From what I’ve heard, Super Bowl weekend has a corporate feel to it. The Final Four, however, is nothing like that, at least at the most recent version in Minneapolis; it’s a fun event that college hoops fans of all ages will enjoy.

A few quick tidbits from my trip…

Experience Trumps One-and-Dones

Rather than Zion Williamson and Cam Reddish, the 2019 Final Four starred experienced upperclassmen like Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome, and Matt Mooney. For college basketball’s sake, that’s a good thing.

A Second Main Street

The skywalk in Minneapolis was unlike anything I’ve ever seen in any other city; most downtown businesses are connected by the second-level skywalk, amounting to a second street right above the main sidewalk. In Minneapolis, you can grab a latte at the Caribou Coffee on the corner or the one right above your head — it’s awesome.

Hoos Fans Showed Up

At the Elite Eight in Louisville, Wahoo fans were SERIOUSLY outnumbered by nearby Purdue fans. At the Final Four, and specifically the title game, the Hoos collectively made a sea of Orange on one side of U.S Bank Stadium, matching Texas Tech’s large following. Obviously, they helped their squad out and went home satisfied as a result.

99-Year-Old Sid Hartman, Still Writing

Whenever a local found out I had a website or wrote about sports, they immediately brought Sid Hartman to my attention. Hartman, now 99-years old, is still writing columns for The Star Tribune’s sports section.

Final Four Village

It wasn’t called Final Four Village but essentially, that’s what it was. For several blocks between Thurs-Mon, Minneapolis was heaven for a college basketball fan. The bars were overflowing with nice people, there was a stage featuring a steady flow of acts and sports personalities, branded merch everywhere, Final Four-themed events and an undeniable buzz. You must attend a Final Four if you haven’t.