See fans, bands and cheerleaders root for their teams amid March Madness in Sacramento
By Lezlie Sterling
Boise State Broncos fans cheer their team as they play against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half of the NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center on Thursday. Northwestern beat Boise, 75-67.
Xavier Mascareñas
xmascarenas@sacbee.com
College basketball fans descended on Golden 1 Center for a chance to watch their teams in the “Big Dance,” more formally known as the NCAA men’s basketball championship.
The trek was worth it for Princeton fans who came in hopes of witnessing a historic upset. The Tigers pulled an NCAA Tournament shocker on Thursday, upsetting No. 2 seed Arizona 59-55 in the first round.
This is the sixth time Sacramento has been host to the March Madness-filled first and second rounds of the tournament.
The remaining teams will battle it out Saturday for the chance to play in the Sweet 16.
Fans react during the UCLA Bruins versus UNC Asheville Bulldogs game at the NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center on Thursday. UCLA beat UNC Asheville, 86-53. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
UCLA Bruins fans cheer as their team plays against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs during the second half of the NCAA Tournament game at Golden 1 Center on Thursday. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
UNC Asheville Bulldogs cheerleader cheer for their team against the UCLA Bruins in the second half of the NCAA Tournament game at Golden 1 Center on Thursday. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
UCLA students Elena Bateman, left, a Sacramento native, and Elsie Paulsen cheer their UCLA Bruins as they play the UNC Asheville Bulldogs during the second half of the NCAA Tournament game at Golden 1 Center. UCLA beat UNC Asheville, 86-53. Xavier Mascareñas Sacramento Bee file
The Boise State Blue Thunder band performs before the Broncos take on the Northwestern Wildcats at the NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center on Thursday. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Buster the Boise State Bronco hypes up the band before the school takes on the Northwestern Wildcats at the NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center on Thursday. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
The Missouri Tigers cheerleaders perform during a timeout in a first-round NCAA Tournament game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Missouri Tigers fans cheer on their team in the final minutes of the first-round game against the Utah State Aggies at the NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Thursday. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Princeton Tigers fans cheers for their team during a game in the NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Thursday. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Princeton Tigers cheer squad perform during a game in the NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Thursday. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Fans walk to Golden 1 Center during the first day of NCAA Regional men’s basketball games in Sacramento. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
