The moment the mom of Auburn's J'Von McCormick saw her son's photo on the side of a Final Four hotel
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - As the NCAA’s Final Four teams prepare to compete for a championship this weekend, their fans are descending on Minneapolis to help cheer on their teams.
With fan bases arriving from Texas, Alabama, Michigan, Virginia and all over the world, they are excited to take in Minneapolis and they are all hoping to celebrate in style Saturday and Monday nights.
TEXAS TECH:
With the team staying at the Radisson Blu downtown Minneapolis, it was not hard to find fans in Red Raiders gear taking it all in Thursday. Some fans were taking pictures of the hotel, which has been draped in red to honor the team from Texas Tech.
One alumni group says they will have a watch party for the game at Brothers Bar in downtown Minneapolis Saturday.
MICHIGAN STATE:
About a mile away, the Michigan State Spartans are staying at the Hyatt Regency with some of their fans.
The Twin Cities Spartans Association has watch parties planned as well in Minneapolis. Their President, Brittanie Johnson, said alumni here are beyond excited to catch the Spartans in person.
“We’re excited to have everyone come into town,” she said. “It’s chilly today, but hopefully tomorrow will warm up and will be great. We’re excited to welcome everyone and show how cool Minneapolis is and how much Spartan pride we really have.”
Johnson said Spartan fans who don’t have tickets to the game can go to The Office or Sneaky Pete’s in Minneapolis for Spartan watch parties.
AUBURN:
While later arriving, Auburn fans are slowly checking into the Marriott Hotel in downtown Minneapolis.
Outside are team color-wrapped buses, tight security and giant pictures of the team.
Auburn Coach Bruce Pearl was talking with some fans in the lobby of the hotel earlier this afternoon, too.
One woman outside the Marriott was not just another fan.
“I was driving and I almost hit the bus and I parked just to take a picture with him,” said Carol McCormick, talking about seeing her son and Auburn player J’Von McCormick. “It’s an honor to see him up. It’s your little boy playing in the big dance. It’s an honor.”
VIRGINIA:
Virginia fans were hard to find Thursday, but fans are flocking to Minneapolis from Charlottesville.
They will join their team, which is staying at the Marquette Hotel downtown.
The teams are planning big events Friday to get a taste of the Twin Cities, with several events planned.
FOX 9 will be following fans of all four teams around the Twin Cities area throughout the weekend. Be sure to stay tuned to FOX9.com for the latest excitement. For more information about events going on downtown, click here.