Campus Confidential

By Adam Abramson

I wanted to spend more time on this but some guy decided to shoot a bunch of people and get killed in the city. So, once again I'm here until 2 a.m.

Feel free to chime in...I'm going home and resting up for the big day.

New Orleans

Schools: Florida, Jackson State, Arizona, Purdue, Nevada, Creighton, Memphis, North Texas
Rating: Niiiiiiiiiiice.
Thoughts: Memphis is 400 miles away. Gainesville is about 500 miles away. North Texas is like 600 miles away (I doubt many will drive that far to see the Mean Green get stomped). But the folks from Jackson State will make the 200-mile trip. Either way, put a bunch of rabid Gator and Tiger fans with visions of a national title in New Orleans and you're going to have a very BLUE Bourbon Street. I'd like to be there.

Lexington

Schools: Ohio State, Central Connecticut St., Brigham Young, Xavier, Louisville, Stanford, Texas A&M, Pennsylvania
Rating: A round of Jagerbombs, please.
Thoughts: UK bars. Students from Louisville, Ohio State, Xavier and you can't forget about Penn. Get out of town. Done deal pal.

Chicago

Schools: UNLV, Georgia Tech, Wisconsin, TAMU-CC, Kansas, Niagara, Kentucky, Villanova
Rating: Party on, Wayne.
Thoughts: Easy to fly to. The Badgers will be driving down. The Wildcats will be driving up. I'd even say the Jayhawks will be coming the 500 miles to the Windy City. Gonna be a great time.

Columbus

Schools: Virginia Tech, Illinois, So. Illinois, Holy Cross, Virginia, Tennessee, Albany, Long Beach State
Rating: Just go, man.
Thoughts: You know Columbus has great bars. They have to: It's Ohio State. I doubt many Hokies and Cavaliers are making the trip, but expect the Salukis and Illini to show up (can I use Illini anymore?)...It's not New Orleans, but you wanna be there.

Winston-Salem

Schools: North Carolina, E Kentucky, Marquette, Michigan State, Boston College, Texas Tech, Georgetown, Belmont
Rating: Has potential.
Thoughts: Too bad this regional isn't in Chapel Hill. Franklin Street is a blast. But enough will be in town to watch hoops. It's very drivable for UNC, E. Kentucky, Georgetown and Belmont. I don't know how rabid all of these people are, and it's Winston-Salem (not the best metropolis...)...I guess it'll be a good time.

Sacramento

Schools: Indiana, Gonzaga, UCLA, Weber State, Vanderbilt, George Washington, Washington State, Oral Roberts
Rating: Eh.
Thoughts: If you want to go party with UCLA kids, go. Otherwise, it's like 900 miles for Cougars to drive. Same for those crazy Gonzaga...ians?

Spokane

Schools: Notre Dame, Winthrop, Oregon, Miami (OH), Southern California, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico State
Rating: Go to Eugene instead. I hear it's fun there.
Thoughts: The home of the Ducks is like 500 miles from Spokane and about an ENTIRE COUNTRY away from South Bend and Fayetteville.

Buffalo

Schools: Butler, Old Dominion, Maryland, Davidson, Duke, Virginia Commonwealth, Pittsburgh, Wright State
Rating: I'll pass.
Thoughts: Pittsburgh is the only close college and everyone will probably stay home for the second-largest St. Patrick's Day festival in the country. Plus, I'll be in PGH this weekend...who's really leaving. Maybe the Wright State faithful will drive the 400 miles and it'll be home-court for the Raiders.