It was just like a real basketball game.
Except, Breslin Center wasn't filled. There were no crazy hats, no face paint, no Izzone. And the men's basketball team was in Seattle.
But in a way, it was like they were at home Thursday night, when the big screen broadcast the game live from Seattle. An entire side of Breslin was packed with fans eating pizza, discussing the game and cheering on their team.
"Knowing that everyone here is rooting for the same team is better than watching it alone," no-preference freshman Steve Cencelewski said. "Any chance I can get back into the Breslin after the season, I'll take it."
Nutritional sciences sophomore Nick Schroeder and James Madison freshman Michael Honer were watching the game with a group of their friends.
"Oh yeah, this whole row," Honer said, waving his hand down the line as his friends turned to look.
Cencelewski, who was there with no-preference freshman Brady Green, was wearing a jersey from the 2000 national championship team to "keep those days alive," he said.
But as he began to describe the jersey, the Spartans made a good play.
"Three-pointer, yeah!" he screamed, pumping his fist.
Spartans clothing was everywhere at the game, as fans who weren't able to make it to Washington still were able to support their team.
Honer was one of those students who wished he could be in Seattle.
"What would I give?" he said, pausing to think, his finger on his mouth. "I'd give up free football tickets for next year."
He paused again, reconsidering.
"No, I wish I was there so hard right now," Honer said.
Merchandising management junior Kellin McGinn and three of her friends had never been to Breslin Center to watch the game on the big screen before, but because Seattle was so far away, they said it was better to watch with a group of Spartans fans.
"It's more fun to celebrate with a bunch of people," international studies junior Sara Feley said.
Not only was it more fun to watch with a group of fans, but the game coincided with a holiday that prides itself with showing green.
"St. Patrick's Day wasn't enough," McGinn said. "We need another day of green."
To demonstrate, the girls broke into cheers.
"Go Green! Woooo!" they screamed, while the game was at commercial.
Ann Holt, a 1996 MSU graduate and Holt resident, sat in the back with her 3-year-old daughter, Erin.
"My husband and I are both graduates, and we're both Spartan fans," said Holt, who was in East Lansing earlier Thursday afternoon and decided to come watch the game at Breslin.
"What's a better place to watch the game than with a bunch of Spartan fans?" she said.
Erin, who was dressed in a tiny green MSU sweatshirt, also is a huge Spartans fan. She can sing the fight song and likes the marching band and watching the basketball games.
"She was disappointed that the team wasn't going to be here, and Sparty," Holt said, as Erin smiled.
"Who's your favorite player?" Holt asked her.
Erin held up three fingers to signal MSU freshman guard Shannon Brown, who wears the No. 3 jersey.
Her mom laughed. "I think she likes him 'cause she's 3."
