When Daniel Nourn was a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University, he sensed a lack of school spirit.
That changed last year after the VCU men’s basketball team made a run to the NCAA Final Four, a Cinderella story of a small university in Richmond getting within two victories of winning the national championship.
This year, VCU is back in the mix and plays Wichita State Thursday night.
“It’s actually really high,” said Nourn of this year’s level of excitement. As a committee member of the local VCU alumni association, he’s helped organize Thursday viewing parties at the Greene Turtle in Arlington, BlackFinn in Bethesda and Mason Inn in Glover Park.
“I’ll say there’s more excitement than last year,” said Nourn, who graduated in 2009 and now lives in Falls Church and works as a contractor for the Department of Agriculture. He added that after last year’s run, 2012 holds greater expectations. “Now I think people are expecting something just as good.”
While perennial power Georgetown is geared up for a deep run in this year’s tournament, the University of Maryland didn’t make the cut, as didn’t bracket darling George Mason.
So maybe the Cinderella slipper will once again fit for the Rams.
For more info on the VCU alumni association, visit vcu-mcvalumni.org
Want to join in Ram fever?
Greene Turtle: The VCU folks will gather at the Ballston spot. If you want to avoid the herd, there’s a Greene Turtle tucked next to the Verizon Center. thegreeneturtle.com.
BlackFinn Bethesda: Accessible for Maryland folks, VCU fans are welcomed here on Thursday. The bar is also advertising itself as the place to be for Georgetown’s Friday game.
Mason Inn: Covering all geographic bases, the Rams are gathering at this bar in D.C.’s Glover Park neighborhood. masoninndc.com.
Where else to go
More isn’t always better. With the field expanded to 68 teams, four games took place Tuesday and Wednesday. But the real madness begins Thursday. Any bar with a television will undoubtedly have a game on. Here are a few spots to watch as much hoop action as possible.
Bailey’s: Three area locations, including Crystal City and Ballston. Lots of screens and room to spread out. foxandhound.com.
Buffalo Billiards: Join a bracket contest with prizes such as an iPad, a gift card, a private party and more. dc.buffalobilliards.com.
Crystal City Sports Pub: You know the scene — three stories, and scores of televisions. ccsportspub.com.
Nellie’s Sports Bar: Great location on U Street, and sign up for their special bracket manager through the bar’s Facebook page. nelliessportsbar.com.
The Park at XIV: Not feeling like a sports bar? How about a nightclub? The Park at XIV is holding a March Madness kickoff party on Thursday hosted by Big Tigger. park14.com.
Summers: Beer and wing specials to satisfy the stomach, and 60 HD televisions to satisfy the eyes. summers-restaurant.com.
Ventnor Sports Cafe: Think you know it all? Sign up for Ventnor’s Bracket Challenge. ventnorsportscafe.com.
