Students flock to E.L. bars to watch Spartans play in first round of tourney, celebrate victory

Donning a green wig, Brian Stevens was ready to go at 10 a.m.

The graduate student and his roommate, psychology senior Matt Zuehlke, arrived at Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, 360 Albert Ave., more than two hours before tipoff of the MSU men’s basketball game against Temple University on Thursday.

“He was literally the first person here,” Stevens said of his roommate. “We held down the middle seat and we’ve been here ever since.”

Stevens and Zuehlke were the first of many fans who flocked to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the first rounds of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

By 12:30 p.m., the restaurant was at full capacity with 275 people. Those who filed in after the game began were those who were limited to the “stand room only,” ordering drinks and food from the sideboard.

Although Stevens’ friends didn’t come, the remaining seats of their table were filled immediately by other fans.

“Our friends pulled out on us,” Stevens said. “People have been taking our chairs from us ever since.”

Regardless of the crowd, Stevens and his roommate were set on holding their ground.

“We’ll be here the whole time,” Stevens said. “Bar none.”

MSU students, however, weren’t the only ones keen on seeing the game.

Seniors Evan Shumway and Joe Olson, from J.W. Sexton High School, in Lansing, skipped their last class to get in on the action.

Both wearing green, the seniors called to meet with friends who already were watching inside.

Shumway began watching the game with high hopes, aware it could go either way.

“With MSU, it’s dangerous, because you never know what could happen,” Shumway said. “We’ve got to pull this one out.”

Michael Abbott, a junior from East Lansing High School who came to watch the game because he had a half day, was happy about the game at its midway point.

“We started off shaky,” Abbott. “It’s going good now.”

While Abbott and others came to enjoy the atmosphere of March Madness, some such as Zuehlke were interested in one thing only: Spartan glory.

By halftime, Zuehlke was confident.

“We’re lookin’ good,” he said.

The end of the game brought joy to the crowd inside Buffalo Wild Wings. With the 72-61 victory over the Owls, the Spartans will play again Saturday.

As for the results of the rest of tournament, Zuehlke has his hopes set high.

“I think we’re prime to go a long way as long as we play well,” he said.

Although the Spartans have not brought home the championship title since 2000, Zuehlke has enjoyed his time as a fan of the Spartans.

“Once State’s out of it (Zuehlke) hates watching the tournament,” Stevens said. “We’re strictly (for) State.”

Hardly a fair-weather fan, Zuehlke will stick with MSU no matter what.

“The tournament every year is awesome,” Zuehlke said. “I told (Stevens) we have to be here till the end.”

Faithful to his team, the senior has made a promise to be there every step of the way.

“We have to go out for every game no matter what,” Zuehlke said. “It’s a must.”

Published on Thursday, March 20, 2008