Three CMU students travel to Breslin Center for NCAA men’s basketball championship

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EAST LANSING – Jackson freshman Caitlin Hills and Trenton freshman Julia Ritthaler decided after class Monday to make a road trip to Michigan State University for the championship game.

The friends ended up going to the almost sold-out Breslin Center to watch the game in a court like atmosphere, even though the game would be played in Detroit.

By the start of the game, the arena was full of energy, all were cheering on the Spartans. But quickly the ecstatic mood turned somber, as fans were stunned.

With UNC leading 21-7 early in the first half, fans I began shaking their heads, hoping things would change quickly for the better. But it did not.

“It’s really lively here, it’s a lot of fun, you feel welcome, it’s like we’re all a part of State,” Ritthaler said. “Everyone is so upbeat.”

Hills said she enjoyed coming out at the last minute because she got a chance to visit with a bunch of her friends.

“I thought it would be a lot of fun. The atmosphere here is really cool,” Hills said. “It’s exciting.”

As the game progressed, many fans started seeing their championship hopes diminish.

By the end of the game, Hills and Ritthaler, along with the rest of the Breslin Center crowd watched MSU suffer a rough loss to UNC, but many fans still stayed positive.

Friends Danny Gustafson, Jared Billington and Justin Brimley all said though MSU had a rough loss that doesn’t put a damper on their season.

“We’re still having a good time. Win or lose it’s a great atmosphere here,” said Gustafson, a MSU sophomore from Haslett. “How many people picked us to be here, not many. Win or lose what a season, the whole state’s rallied behind this team.”

Billington, a MSU alumnus from Saginaw said the atmosphere for him is the best thing about coming to the Breslin for the game.

“I love being around all the people wearing green and white. It’s just a good time,” Billington said. “We took out two number one seeds. (The best part of march madness this season has been) hanging around good friends and watching some games.”

studentlife@cm-life.com