Mizzou fans gather for March Madness second bracket match up
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Despite the disappointing end, Mizzou fans gathered to watch the NCAA tournament game together.
Gold and black were a reoccurring theme in restaurants and bars across Columbia Saturday night. Fans gathered to watch the matchup between Mizzou and Princeton during the second bracket of the March Madness tournament.
Some were met with a little disappointment for the final score.
“Listen, March Madness, anything can happen,” University of Missouri student Aiden Kauffman said. “Unfortunately, the worst happens. But we're both so proud of this team.”
However, while Mizzou didn’t walk away with a win, the loss still had a positive effect on downtown Columbia businesses.
Bars and restaurants that host watch parties for sporting events usually prepare ahead of time for the increase in customers. But with a tournament as big as March Madness, there’s an extra layer to the preparations.
“It’s just special and it brings a lot of people out,” Jason Paetzold, the owner of Bud’s Classic Barbecue said. “We enjoy these big moments, whether it's a football game in the fall or right now, to have our team playing in the second round of the tournament.”
Paetzold said the spring practice for Mizzou football already brought big numbers into the restaurant earlier in the day. Preparations for even larger March Madness crowds were underway by Saturday afternoon.
“We're all excited to root on the Tigers in the second round of the tournament,” Paetzold said. “It's gonna be a big night and we couldn't be more excited and actually be more proud of the Tigers, how they're playing and we expect big things.”
And Mizzou fans will continue to stick by their team.
“Next year's going to be incredible,” University of Missouri student Sara Kate Burnett said. “I think Dennis Gates has turned the team around.”
“Dennis Gates has brought this team for a great future ahead of us,” Kauffman added. “And listen, Mizzou basketball- we're back on top. Next year we will be contenders. Watch out.”
