Once again, Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans are conjuring up some March magic.
This week, the Spartans, who are seeded seventh, have progressed to the East Regional semifinals at Madison Square Garden.
If you’re considering going to NYC for the Sweet 16, and possibly the Elite 8, there are several important things you should be aware of.
NCAA Tournament East Regional in New York
On Thursday, the NCAA Tournament commences with Michigan State initiating the third round as the No. 7 seed in the East Region.
Take a peek at the weekend schedule happening at MSG.
Thursday, March 23
- The match between No. 7 Michigan State and No. 3 Kansas State is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
- Florida Atlantic, ranked 9th, will face off against 4th-ranked Tennessee at 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 25
- The winners of the semifinals will be announced at either 6 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.
The team that emerges victorious in Saturday’s game will progress to the Final Four in Houston the subsequent weekend.
Michigan State Sweet 16 tickets
Thursday’s game tickets are bundled with a two-game session, while Saturday’s game stands alone as an individual contest.
Ticketmaster offers tickets for Thursday’s event, with prices ranging from $221 in the 400 sections to $2,500 for the 100 sections.
The prices for the regional final on Saturday are currently slightly lower, but they are expected to rise as soon as the participants are determined.
Currently, StubHub has a package deal available for ticket sales, encompassing all three games scheduled to occur this weekend at Madison Square Garden.
At the moment, the least expensive tickets available on StubHub can be found in section 416/417, priced at $346 per ticket. Meanwhile, the tickets for the 200-level section vary between $417 and $900 per ticket.
Tickets for the 100 level are priced as low as $512, but can reach up to nearly $1,200.
Tickets for floor/riser seats begin at $650 and can extend to several thousand dollars.
Flying to New York from Detroit
Driving to Madison Square Garden is not recommended, unlike last week in Columbus.
At best, it is a risky choice to navigate New York City in your own vehicle, especially considering that the drive will take more than 10 hours.
Michiganders, here’s some great news – flights to New York are now comparatively cheaper than the entrance fees to MSG!
Expedia reports that flights departing from Detroit on Wednesday, March 22 offer the following price options to any of the three airports near MSG.
- Spirit: $246
- JetBlue: $340
- United: $337
- American Airlines: $337
- Delta: $337
If you choose to depart from cities such as Lansing, Grand Rapids, or Flint, it is likely that you will need to have a layover during your flight. For travelers departing from Grand Rapids, there are only a few non-stop flight options available, with prices starting at $613.
Getting to Madison Square Garden
There is indeed a useful guide provided by Madison Square Garden on utilizing public transportation to reach the venue.
Located in New York, the arena itself can be found at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza.
Taking the subway is the first option to reach the arena.
To reach MSG, you can take either the 1, 2, or 3 trains, or the A, C, or E trains, which all make a stop at 34-Penn station situated directly below the arena. Simply follow the signs within each station to easily navigate your way to MSG.
In addition, the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, and W trains provide access to 34 St-Herald Square, which has a stop at 34th Street and Sixth Avenue. Upon exiting the station, simply proceed one block west towards Seventh Avenue to reach Madison Square Garden.
Most riders are charged a fare of $2.75 for the subway.
The Long Island Rail Road is another travel option available for you.
Penn Station is the central hub connecting all branches of the LIRR. The fare for a trip varies based on the starting point, with prices ranging from $5 to $28.
The bus is your third option for PTA.
Most riders will be charged $2.75, and the M5, M7, M11, M20, M34-SBS, M34A-SBS, M55, and Q32 all have stops close to Madison Square Garden.
In addition to that, you can also choose to utilize cab services or popular ride-sharing platforms such as Uber or Lyft.
Does New York have legal sports betting?
Indeed, online sports betting is legally permitted in the state of New York.
New York has rapidly emerged as the leading state for sports betting since its launch in January 2022.
In the year of its commencement, New York witnessed a remarkable $16.2 billion in sports betting handle. This substantial figure, coupled with a tax rate of 51%, resulted in an impressive tax revenue of nearly $700 million for the state in 2022.
Residents of Michigan will discover exclusive sportsbook alternatives in New York that are not accessible through Michigan sportsbooks. These options encompass Resorts WorldBet and Bally Bet.
The Caesars Sportsbook Lounge, nestled within Madison Square Garden, offers a luxurious club experience accompanied by delectable food and beverages at no extra cost.
What to know when visiting Madison Square Garden
To access your tickets before entering, Madison Square Garden makes use of digital ticketing. You can conveniently get your tickets on your phone by using either the MSG Venue App or the Ticketmaster App.
Madison Square Garden has become a cashless facility, requiring all purchases of food, drinks, and merchandise to be made using credit or debit cards. Additionally, mobile payment methods such as Google Pay and Apple Pay are also accepted. To accommodate those with cash, reverse ATMs are conveniently placed throughout the venue to convert cash into debit cards.
Bags of dimensions not exceeding 22”x 14”x 9” are permitted inside MSG. Clear bags are not mandatory. However, it is important to note that there is no bag or coat check available at the venue.
MSG sells alcohol, and the food choices near the venue cater to those with dietary restrictions, including gluten-free and vegan options.
MSU-friendly bars to visit in New York
If you plan to visit New York this weekend, the Greater NYC Spartans suggest two spots that frequently organize MSU watch events.
If you are searching for a spot to relax when you’re not at MSG, or if you are unable to secure game tickets and desire a place that supports Spartans to watch the game, then these locations are perfect for you.
Blondies Sports is situated at 212 w 79th Street, conveniently positioned between Broadway and Amsterdam. To reach our location, you can take the No. 1 train and disembark at the 79th and Broadway stop.
You can find Slainte Bar and Lounge situated at 304 Bowery in New York, with a convenient connection to Houston Street.
