Regardless of where SIU finishes in the standings, barring major injuries, it's very likely SIU will head to Arch Madness with its most realistic chance to make a deep run (or maybe win the damn thing) in a long time.
Hopefully Saluki fans turn up in large numbers and give SIU a semblance of the "homecourt" advantage that used to be the norm in St. Louis. If you haven't been in a while, Domask and Jones' senior seasons would be a great time to return. SIU's performance at the Valley tournament has been mostly woeful for a decade-plus ... that needs to change this year.
I’ll be there for the first time since 2012
Looking forward to it this year. Can't wait for a full day of games on Thursday! Hopefully brings in a bit bigger crowd for that day.
The plan, albeit still in draft form, is for the wife and I to head to Effingham Thursday night, stay over night and then head to St Louis for the Saluki's Friday and Saturday games. Let's hope it comes together.
The bad thing about having ESPN+ is that if I want to watch an MVC game before the Salukis play, I am stuck with watching the epic Valpo/UIC matchup. It's awful. Setting basketball back at least 20 years.
Add to that, there MIGHT be 1,500 people in the building. It's a glorified high school gym.
Where is the recommended hotel to stay as an SIU fan while there?
Also, will it be possible to get tickets for solely for the SIU games? As much as I would like to, there is no way my wife is going to sit through all those other games.
@insaluki Hilton at the Ballpark is usually home base for SIU but I've heard rooms are very tight this year ... not exactly sure why, but I think there might be other things going in town that weekend that are making the hotel situation a little tougher. There are obviously a bunch of other hotels in and around downtown, though.
Re: your other question, you can purchase tickets to individual sessions rather than getting an all session pass, but you'd need to wait on that since it likely won't be known when SIU is playing until the end of the regular season.
SIU and Drake are sharing the Hilton at the ballpark. SIU use to have it to themselves but when we stopped bringing as many fans. The Hilton added other schools. This might explain why rooms are tight . Individual tickets went on sale yesterday.
Where is the recommended hotel to stay as an SIU fan while there?
Hilton at the Ballpark but prices were in the $400’s a night when I looked and seems to be sold out now.
Thanks for the feedback everyone !!!!!!
i stayed at the indigo last year which was reasonable with ihg rewards and very close to enterprise. it was good for being a short walk there. that said ill probably go the airbnb route this year, there are a lot of very nice options and far better price, found some nice cottages around wash u and forest which is a pretty peaceful place for those spring time morning strolls. i lost my voice in the first half of the drake game last year, dont plan on it being any different this year and hopefully meet up with some of you rascals if youre into a little soulard pre game or something. i wasnt really into the ballpark village thing other than the bar that had the arcade and ski ball. ill be channeling my siu rugby energy for this tournament and plan on going full beast mode, hope to meet up with any like minded folks
In my opinion, that Hilton that SIU stays in is trash. Worst hotel experience I’ve had in STL. If we go, we will either do the Drury - Union Station (short walk to Enterprise) or the Westin. The Westin is a bit further and possibly more expensive, but it is a flat out awesome hotel to be at.
On a side note, Union Station hotel is nice as well. Just stayed there a couple nights ago. But I prefer the Drury because it is a bit cheaper and comes with free breakfast and dinner if you choose.
I am sleeping in my own bed. MetroLink will drop me off at the front door.... 😀
