The following information courtesy of Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.
Downtown Indianapolis transforms into every basketball fan’s fantasy during the month of March. Between the Big Ten Basketball Tournaments, Indiana Pacers, NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and IHSAA Basketball Finals, March is jam-packed with opportunities to cheer on your favorite teams. No ticket, no problem. With more than 250 restaurants and 50 taverns, Downtown is the place to catch every minute of 37 games in 35 days. Use this information as your guide to optimize your basketball experience Downtown.
Downtown tournaments and games:
With so many great games going on, you’ll need a schedule to keep up! We’ve got you covered.
Big Ten Basketball Tournaments:
- March 4 – 7 — Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament (Conseco Fieldhouse)
Session 1 (First Round)
Game 1: Thursday, March 4, Noon – Michigan vs. Northwestern
Game 2: Thursday, March 4, 25 min. after Game 1 – Penn State vs. Minnesota
Game 3: Thursday, March 4, 25 min. after Game 2 – Indiana vs. Illinois
Session 2 (Quarterfinals)
Game 4: Friday, March 5, 11:30 a.m. – Michigan State vs. Game 1 Winner
Game 5: Friday, March 5, 25 min. after Game 4 – Iowa vs. Game 2 Winner
Session 3 (Quarterfinals)
Game 6: Friday, March 5, 6 p.m. – Ohio State vs. Game 3 Winner
Game 7: Friday, March 5, 25 min. after Game 6 – Wisconsin vs. Purdue
Session 4 (Semifinals)
Game 8: Saturday, March 6, 5 p.m. – Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner
Game 9: Saturday, March 6, 25 min. after Game 8 – Game 6 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner
Session 5 (Championship)
Game 10: Sunday, March 7, 4:30 p.m. – Game 8 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner
- March 7, 2:30 p.m. — Women’s Pep Rally (Conseco Fieldhouse)
- March 11 -14 — Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament (Conseco Fieldhouse)
Session 1 (First Round)
Game 1: Thursday, March 11, 2:30 p.m. – #8 Seed vs. #9 Seed
Game 2: Thursday, March 11, 25 min. after Game 1 – #7 Seed vs. #10 Seed
Game 3: Thursday, March 11, 7:30 p.m. – #6 Seed vs. #11 Seed
Session 2 (Quarterfinals)
Game 4: Friday, March 12, Noon – #1 Seed vs. Game 1 Winner
Game 5: Friday, March 12, 25 min. after conclusion of Game 4 – #4 Seed vs. #5 Seed
Game 6: Friday, March 12, 6:30 p.m. – #2 Seed vs. Game 2 Winner
Game 7: Friday, March 12, 25 min. after conclusion of Game 6 – #3 Seed vs. Game 3 Winner
Session 4 (Semifinals)
Game 8: Saturday, March 13, 1:40 p.m. – Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner
Game 9: Saturday, March 13, 25 min. after conclusion of Game 8 – Game 6 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner
Session 5 (Championship)
Game 10: Sunday, March 14, 3:30 p.m. – Game 8 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner
- March 12, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Big Ten Conference Career Expo (Union Station)
The event pairs the talents of Big Ten students and alumni with the staffing needs of elite and industry-leading employers. Full-time jobs and internships will be available. To register and see a list of participating employers, visit www.bigtencareerexpo.com today.
- March 14, 11 a.m. – Big Ten Hoops Day 5K (Downtown Indianapolis)
Start championship Sunday with a lap around Downtown Indianapolis. Support your school by wearing your school colors. For the competitive and the casual runners. For more information, including how to register, www.tuxbro.com.
- March 14, 1:30 p.m. – Men’s Pep Rally (Ober parking Lot)
Big Ten University Restaurant Pairings
Enjoy the game, eat and drink with your team’s fans.
Illinois – The Ram (140 S. Illinois; 955.9900)
Indiana – Kilroy’s Bar & Grill (201 S. Meridian St.; 638.9464)
Iowa – Claddagh Irish Pub (234 S. Meridian St.; 822.6274)
Michigan – O’Reilly’s Irish Bar and Restaurant (36 S. Pennsylvania; 974.0674)
Michigan State – Slippery Noodle (372 S. Meridian; 631.6974)
Minnesota – Alcatraz Brewing Co. (49 W. Maryland St.; Circle Centre Mall; 488.1230)
Northwestern – Buffalo Wings & Rings (111 W. Maryland St.; 822.8400)
Ohio State – Champps Americana (49 W. Maryland St.; Circle Centre Mall; 951.0033)
Penn State – Harry & Izzy’s (153 S. Illinois; 635.9594)
Purdue – Scotty’s Brewhouse (1 Virginia Ave.; 571.0808)
Wisconsin – Buffalo Wild Wings (7 E. Washington; 951.9464)
IHSAA Basketball State Finals:
- March 27, 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. – IHSAA Boys State Basketball Finals (Conseco Fieldhouse)
Fans will have the chance to see Indiana high school basketball legends from a century of championships at the 100th Anniversary Celebration Parade on March 27 at 3 p.m. The parade will begin at Pennsylvania and Vermont streets and travel down Pennsylvania Street and will turn right onto Ohio Street. The procession will turn left at Meridian Street and head south to Monument Circle. The parade will turn right and make its way around the Soldiers’ and Sailors Monument before continuing south down Meridian Street. The route will then make a left on Georgia Street, where it will end its mile-long march on Pennsyl vania Street in front of Conseco Fieldhouse.
Indiana Pacers regular season:
- March 9, 7 p.m. – Indiana Pacers vs. Philadelphia 76ers (Conseco Fieldhouse)
- March 16, 7 p.m. – Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Bobcats (Conseco Fieldhouse)
- March 19, 7 p.m. – Indiana Pacers vs. Detroit Pistons (Conseco Fieldhouse)
- March 21, 2:30 p.m. – Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Conseco Fieldhouse)
- March 24, 7 p.m. – Indiana Pacers vs. Washington Wizards (Conseco Fieldhouse)
- March 26, 7 p.m. — Indiana Pacers vs. Utah Jazz (Conseco Fieldhouse)
- March 30, 7 p.m. – Indiana Pacers vs. Sacramento Kings (Conseco Fieldhouse)