sports - march 2010

City will be full of fans for start of March Madness

WHAT DO YOU get when you combine St. Patrick’s week in Milwaukee with the first and second rounds of the NCAA basketball tournament?

You get a jam-packed downtown, probably more visitors than at any time in recent years.

Marquette University and the Bradley Center host eight top college teams on Friday, March 19. Teams and matchups for the four first-round games will be announced March 14. Winners of the four opening games will contend on Sunday, March 21, in two second-round games with the winners moving on to the tournament’s Sweet Sixteen.

Tickets will be scarce for the weekend, so the best bet for fans in the Milwaukee area will be free open practices for the eight teams Thursday, March 18. Doors of the Bradley Center at 1001 N. Fouth St. will open at 11 a.m., with practices held from noon-3 p.m. and 4:25-7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the games technically are sold out. Some may be available at the Bradley Center on game day, depending on the participating teams. Fans unwilling to wait should see ticket brokers.

“There will be seats available,” assures Paul Neu of The Ticket King, one of the city’s leading brokers. Call 800-334-5434, 414-273-6007 or visit www.theticketking.com.

It’s crunch time for the Bucks

THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS need to make their move this month if they are to win a berth in postseason NBA action. Fortunately, they have a significant number of home games during March.

Led by coach Scott Skiles, the Bucks have played exceptionally well at home on the Bradley Center court, 1001 N. 4th St. They will be tested in March by a number of top teams, including Cleveland, Boston and Utah.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.bucks.com

Upcoming home games:
March 3 vs. Washington Wizards, 7 p.m.
March 6 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m.
March 9 vs. Boston Celtics, 7 p.m.
March 12 vs. Utah Jazz, 7:30 p.m.
March 14 vs. Indiana Pacers, Noon
March 22 vs. Atlanta Hawks, 7 p.m.
March 24 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7p.m.
March 26 vs. Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m.
March 28 vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 2 p.m.
March 30 vs. L.A. Clippers, 7 p.m.

PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY

THE MILWAUKEE Admirals, always a contender in the American Hockey League, call the Bradley Center home ice. Tickets are available at the Bradley Center Box Office or at www.milwaukeeadmirals.com.

Upcoming home games:
March 5 vs. Lake Erie Monsters, 7 p.m.
March 7 vs. Peoria Rivermen, 4 p.m.
March 10 vs. Lake Erie, 7 p.m.
March 13 vs. Toronto Marlies, 7:30 p.m.
March 16 vs Chicago Wolves, 7 p.m.
March 23 vs. Texas Stars, 7 p.m.
March 25 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins, 7 p.m.
March 31 vs. Texas Stars, 7 p.m.
April 2 vs. Peoria, 7 p.m.

PROFESSIONAL INDOOR SOCCER

THE MILWAUKEE WAVE, a leader in professional indoor soccer for more than 25 years, plays in the five-team Major Indoor Soccer League,

The Wave plays its home games in the U.S. Cellular Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Ave. Tickets may be purchased prior to each game at the Arena box office.

Upcoming home games:
March 7 vs. Rockford Rampage, 2 p.m.
March 14 vs. La Raza de Monterrey, 2 p.m.
March 20 vs. Philadelphia KIXX, 6 p.m.