4K fans crowd Breslin Center for viewing party

Arena will be open to public to view Monday's game

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Spartans fans of all ages bled green and white tonight at Breslin Center.

The floor was shaking. Cheers instantly roared throughout the arena, hitting every nook and cranny, as the final seconds counted down to an MSU victory.

People threw high-fives in every direction. Feelings of excitement, relief and anticipation filled the air.

About 4,000 Spartans fans, ranging from ages 2 to more than 70, came to Breslin to watch the men’s basketball team secure a win over Connecticut.

Doors opened at 5 p.m., and there was a line already halfway around the arena by that time.

“I think people really appreciated it,” said Patti Roost, event coordinator for Breslin. “I’m so excited to see so many people from the community.

“Anything to support Tom.”

The atmosphere was vibrant and colorful, with fans decked out in green and white from their hair to the paint on their bodies.

A sea of MSU garments exuding team spirit filled the Lower Bowl, ranging from beads, balloon hats, hand-painted shirts and a variety of T-shirts and jerseys.

One fan’s T-shirt well-described the feeling among fans: “It’s not over, it’ll never be over. It’s just starting.”

“For a last-minute thing, it turned quite well, but it took a lot of cooperation,” Roost said, saying the event required coordination from concessions and vision board operators.

There were 25 total security officers — including a mix of MSU police and volunteers — but there were no problems among the crowd members, Roost said.

The intensity of the crowd started off slow, but by the end of the first half, the fans had engaged in rounds of Izzone cheers as if the team were playing right there, instead of about 90 miles away in Detroit.

As the score grew closer in the second half, Izzone cheers grew more intense, amplifying through the end of the game, when everyone in the Breslin was standing and cheering.

As the game ended, people were streaming out of Breslin, shaking hands, exchanging hugs and joining together in celebration. Chants such as, “We’re No. 1!” and “ We’re going all the way!” rang throughout Breslin.

Fans said after the game that MSU played hard and deserved the win.

“We’re just shaking with all the energy,” advertising, public relations and retailing senior Elyse Erbr said. “Everyone here loves and supports State.”

People came from all across the state, even as far as Chicago, to be with the Spartan community tonight at Breslin.

“I’ve been a State fan all my life,” said Ray Deeb, of Grosse Point Farms. “I didn’t want to miss all the excitement with the students.”

Breslin will be open again Monday for community members to watch the Spartans vie for the National Championship.

Doors will open at 8:15 p.m. with free admission and parking.

Originally posted at 7:35 p.m.

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