Muncie bars are preparing to help Ball State students cheer on Butler's men's basketball team tonight as it takes on Connecticut in the Bulldogs' second consecutive NCAA championship appearance.
Derrick Long, Buffalo Wild Wings manager, said he is expecting a full house during the game, similar to the turnout for Butler's victory Saturday night over Virginia Commonwealth.
"It was electric, everyone was hooting and hollering," Long said. "Usually during big games like that, the whole store gets into it.
"Our guests are the ones who come out and make it special."
Sara Clark, manager at The Locker Room in the Village, said her pub was packed to the brim Saturday, and she expects the same turnout tonight.
"We started getting packed around 4 o'clock, and by 5, we had every table filled and the bar was full," she said. "If they want to get a good table and a good seat, then I would say they should get here a half hour or 40 minutes before the game."
Clark said The Locker Room will have $5 domestic pitchers and 25 cent corn dogs for the title game.
Junior meteorology major Kari Foster, who transferred to Ball State after studying for two years at Butler, said whether the Bulldogs finish the game with a win or not, it's impressive enough that the Indianapolis school made it to the championship game two years in a row.
"I think it says a lot about the quality of the athletic program and the quality of the coaching," Foster said. "It has less to do, I think, with size and more to do with the quality of the coaching and the quality of the talent that the team members have."
Butler lost in last year's NCAA championship game to Duke 61-59. The Bulldogs will take on the Huskies at 9:23 p.m. in Houston.
Places to watch the game
Scotty's Brewhouse
1700 W. University Ave.
Hours - 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friendly environment restaurant with the feel of a sports bar, but open to all ages.
The Locker Room
1813 W. University Ave.
Hours - 11 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.
Sports bar close to the campus, open to all ages until 10 p.m.
Buffalo Wild Wings
838 E. McGalliard Road
Hours - 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Relaxed comfortable atmosphere with multiple big-screen TVs, sports bar.
Savage's Alehouse
127 N. High St.
Hours - 3 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Variety of beer and late-night dishes. Open only to 21 and up.
Show-Me's
4008 W. Bethel Ave.
Hours - 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.
This new restaurant offers wings, drinks and more.
The Silo
223 S. Walnut St.
Hours - 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Monday's drink specials include $2 wells, $4 long islands.
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