Photographer Mike Itchue details his trip to Indianapolis for the men's Big Ten Tournament.

Conseco Fieldhouse is hands down the nicest arena I have ever been to. The 6-year-old building is constructed almost entirely of brick, giving the building a hip, retro, urban-cool type of feel.

Advertisements throughout the concourse are painted directly onto the brick walls, and every few feet there are photos and memorabilia honoring the history of Indiana basketball. The main entry to the arena, known as the Entry Pavilion, was awash in shades of green, orange, red and yellow as fans from schools throughout the Big Ten congregated before the games started.

The media relations powers that be stuck me with the spot directly under the basket to shoot throughout the tournament, providing some of the worst angles possible as I was continuously blocked by the television camera man and the referee's butt. I did have a front row seat to a major collegiate sporting event, so I guess I can't complain too much. The spot almost caused a major disaster, though. Shortly after Thursday's victory over Purdue, I was gathering my camera equipment with my back to the floor when someone brushed past my side. I turned around just in time to see Maurice Ager jumping out of the way to avoid a full-on collision, followed by security guards yelling at me to get out of the way as the players were leaving the court. I could just picture Ager twisting an ankle and me having to leave the state and change my name.

It was a good weekend in Indianapolis, and maybe, just maybe, we'll be back here in three weeks for the Final Four. I just hope I get a different spot on the floor.

Mike Itchue can be reached at itchuemi@msu.edu.