Adding to the bracket buzz that the successful men's basketball team has generated this season was the announcement that the squad will be playing its early-round NCAA tournament action in nearby Indianapolis. This year's selection marks the first time since 1985 that Notre Dame students have the opportunity to give their team a home-state advantage, and many have responded enthusiastically.

Hundreds of loyal students will be making the three-hour road trip to the RCA Dome to watch the fifth-seeded Irish face off against University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Thursday night. While the team's die-hard student cheering section, the Leprechaun Legion, hasn't arranged any specific activities for Indianapolis, leader Drew Updike praised the fervor of both his group and the Athletic Department in creating student support for the team's chances in the tournament and throughout the season.

"With the team doing so well this year, the Legion added fuel to the fire, and now at tournament time the University and the Athletic Department are carrying the torch. They've given students a great opportunity by taking care of transportation to the game," Updike said.

In addition to offering students a four-game, $70 ticket package that includes Notre Dame's first and second round games as well as two more games, the Athletic Department is providing bus transportation for those who need it. Many students have also opted to carpool and stay overnight with family and friends in the Indianapolis area. "The selection to have the game in Indy has really hyped people up," Updike said. "The unity that comes from making the trip is a just great bonus to having the team doing so well."

Despite the team's recent struggles in losing four of its last five games at the close of the regular season and in the first round of the Big East tournament, students showed little reluctance to make the trip.

"There was no question about it in my mind," said freshman Evan Walsh. "As soon as I saw we were playing in Indianapolis, I called my brother and right away he answered, `Yes, we're going.'"

Concerns over a demolished post-spring break budget also paled in comparison to students' excitement over the Irish's highest seed since 1987 and the third straight 20-win season under coach Mike Brey. "It's definitely worth it," said sophomore Brent Haydon. "With the NCAAs being so close, there's nothing that will stop me from driving down, not money, not war, not anything."

The consensus among students attending the game seems to be one of mixed anticipation and nervousness, but mostly of appreciation and excitement that they will get the chance to be there as the team takes its next post-season step.

"It is wonderful that the tournament's proximity gives so many students an opportunity to go down and support the squad," Walsh said.

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