Where to Watch UD’s First Round NCAA Tournament Game
Pictured is DaRon Holmes II and Kobe Brea during the A-10 Tournament. Photo courtesy of Olivia Shirk for Flyer News.
Ben Ruth | Contributing Writer
DAYTON, Ohio — After seven long years, the Dayton Flyers men’s basketball team is
officially going to the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Tournament. The No. 7 seed Flyers (24-7)
are set to play the No. 10-seed University of Nevada Wolfpack on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in Salt
Lake City.
But where will Dayton Flyer fans watch their beloved team?
The Flyer Faithful is well-known for their love of basketball and there will be many
watch parties for fans to root for their Flyers. Unfortunately, unless students make the trip out to
Salt Lake City, the Red Scare (the University of Dayton Student Section Organization) will not
be sending students to the game. However, there will be plenty of spots students can go to cheer
on their team.
“We haven’t finalized any details on what we are doing for the game on Thursday,”
Said Ana Pohlmann, Internal Vice President of the Red Scare. “But we think it would be fun to
Set up a watch party on campus for students to come to.”
For years, Milano’s Pizza, Subs & Taps has been the center of basketball watch parties.
Established in 1969, the restaurant provides many large TVs in every corner of the restaurant and
provides a long list of local craft beers on draft for fans to enjoy. During the First Four games
that take place at UD Arena this week, Milano’s is planning on hosting several team fan bases
before their games. One can only imagine what will be in place for the Dayton game on
Thursday.
“During the First Four, we see a great mix of our local basketball fans along with fans
that come in from out of town to support their teams playing at UD arena.” John Slaughenhaupt,
the owner of Milano’s, said in an interview with the Dayton Daily News. “As a matter of fact,
we have had pep bands and cheerleaders from visiting teams show up at Milano’s to pump up
their fan bases. It is an exciting time of year.”
Along with Milano’s, Flanagan’s Pub is another bar where local students will spend their
Thursday afternoons watching the Flyers. Flannigans will offer fans a $2 well-liquor deal on
Thursday for the game. Another bar in the area students can attend for a watch party is Kramer’s
located on Irving Avenue.
“We will offer $25 for a 12-inch two-topping pizza with a pitcher of beer,” Kramer’s
owner Whitney Sharp said. “We will also have $3 drafts.”
For the majority of students, there seems to be a common consensus that they will host
watch parties in their own homes. However, for seniors Danny Lins and Drew Haab, they have
run out of places to watch the game.
“We have watched it at all our friends’ houses, and at each house, we have lost games,”
Haab and Lins said collectively. “We have had good luck at Milano’s this year, so hopefully that
stays true on Thursday.”
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