But Aiello won’t be the only Spartan headed down to Edward Jones Dome on Friday.

St. Louis-area alumni are preparing for a large crowd of green-and-white clad fans.

Lisa McKenzie, a 1986 alumna and third-generation Spartan, now lives in St. Louis, home of the St. Louis Blues NHL team.

“There are signs everywhere (for the team) that say ‘Do you believe in blue?’” she said, “And I’m always like, ‘No, I believe in green.’ When we get to have a bunch of Spartans in town it’s really exciting. They know what to say when you say ‘Go Green.’”

Bars and Spartan Spirit

Tournament tickets still are available for Spartans fans looking to head down to St. Louis. A Ticketmaster representative said 300- and 400-level tickets are priced between $132 and $166. Tickets include all three games taking place at Edward Jones Dome.

Michael Alam, a St. Louis resident and 2003 alumnus, said a pep rally hosted by St. Louis alumni in conjunction with MSU staff is being held from 3:30-5 p.m. Friday at the Arch View Ballroom in the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark.

The pep rally is scheduled to include appearances by MSU president Lou Anna K. Simon, men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo, Spartan Brass, the MSU cheerleaders and the MSU Dance Team. He also said an appearance might be made by Sparty.

“We’re all really passionate about the university and the basketball teams,” he said. “We’re excited that it’s coming down here so that we can be more involved.”

Two game watches have been set up for Spartans fans in the area not lucky enough to score game tickets.

The OverUnder Bar & Grill will have two outside tents in addition to the normal restaurant space and will have projectors for attendees to watch both Sweet 16 games taking place Friday at Edward Jones Dome.

“We plan on this being the busiest weekend we’ve had in a while,” OverUnder manager Brian Parrott said. “We’re extremely excited.”

Tigin Irish Pub and Restaurant will serve as the other game-watch site and will serve brews for $3 each to anyone wearing green and white. The pub is a short walk from the dome.

Manager Ian Horne lived in Michigan for 26 years and ran an MSU-themed bar in Howell, Mich., before moving to St. Louis.

“We’re an Irish pub, so we’re real green here,” Horne said.

Maggie O’Brien’s Restaurant is another sports bar for Spartans fans to check out. The sports bar offers three 10-foot TVs and 27 TVs overall, as well as a shuttle from the bar to the game. McKenzie said St. Louis alumni are excited to have the Spartans in town.

“(St. Louis) is not that far (from East Lansing),” she said. “We’re looking forward to another successful regional win as we experienced with the last one when Tom and the guys sent Kentucky packing in the Elite Eight game.”

Eats and Attractions

St. Louis is full of attractions, many of them free, which MSU alumni and St. Louis residents recommend for any visitor’s stay in the Independent City.

“The Missouri Botanical Gardens are the jewel of the city,” Alam said. “(Forest) park is gorgeous. You can go paddle-boating, running, biking. It’s great.”

He also said the Gateway Arch is a must-see.

McKenzie said the Anheiser-Busch Brewery is a great historic attraction, even for families, and said not to leave without visiting Gus’ Pretzel Shop, 1820 Arsenal St.

McKenzie also recommended Forest Park, which includes the St. Louis Zoo and many museums. Admission to the zoo and all attractions within the park is free to visitors.

Spartans fans in St. Louis on Thursday evening can watch former MSU linebacker and strong safety Tim Cunningham perform at the Tribeca Bistro and Lounge, 120 Chesterfield Valley Drive. Cunningham left Michigan in 1992 for St. Louis and shortly after was signed to Atlantic Records as a saxophonist.
McKenzie said a collection of blues bars south of Busch Stadium also capture the spirit of St. Louis.

“You can’t come to St. Louis without experiencing the blues,” she said.

A few options include the Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S. Broadway, and B B’s Jazz Blue and Soup Inc.
Cordia Young-Brown, another MSU alumna and St. Louis resident, recommended Hodak’s Restaurant, 2100 Gravois Ave., which was featured on Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels, as well as Caleco’s Bar and Grill, 101 N. Broadway.

Lodging

Fans looking out for their wallets will find NCAA Tournament special rates at the Clubhouse Inn and Suites St. Louis as well as complimentary breakfast, free parking and transportation to-and-from the airport.

Spartans looking to be at the heart of the tournament experience can find lodging downtown at the Millennium Hotel. The hotel overlooks the Gateway Arch and sits on the banks of the Mississippi River. The Millennium staff also is offering a 10 percent discount on their best rate for tournament attendees and the hotel is within walking distance of Edward Jones Dome.

Moonrise Hotel, although a more costly option, is located in “The Loop” shopping and cultural district and close to the Delmar Loop MetroLink Station. The station links hotel visitors to St. Louis attractions such as Forest Park and historic downtown.

“MetroLink will take you to your hotel from the airport,” McKenzie said. “You get an interesting view of St. Louis (on the trip).”

Aiello said she’s scrambling to get things together before taking off for St. Louis. She said her aunt and uncle live there, and said she had texted her uncle after sophomore guard Korie Lucious’ game-winning shot Sunday against Maryland.

“It was definitely a very last-minute type thing,” she said.

“I texted my uncle and said, ‘Did you see that finish? I hope you have tickets to see them in St. Louis.’ My roommates and I were joking around about asking if I could come, and then a few minutes later he initiated it.”

Aiello said she’s excited to watch the game with her aunt, uncle and grandmother.

“I’m optimistic for the first game because it’s against a lower seed,” she said. “I hope all of the other players can rally up even without (Kalin) Lucas and pull through.”