Since the Ultimate Sports Wife is also a Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University, we find ourselves on campus periodically throughout the year. One thing that has become a Sunday tradition during cold Chicago winters is to spend the day on campus. Nicole studies at the Sociology department while I attend a basketball game at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Until this season, only the women’s basketball team played on Sunday afternoons. However, with the creation of the Big Ten Network, the men are beginning to play more consistently on Sunday afternoons. Today the Northwestern Men’s Basketball team hosted Michigan.

I dropped Nicole off at the Sociology department at 1:30 pm and drove up the arena for the 2 pm tip. As I did four weeks ago, I parked for free on the corner of Lincoln St. and Ashland Ave.

Obtaining Tickets
I arrived earlier than I had four weeks ago, so I was hoping that would allow for more extra tickets outside the arena. As I walked by a couple scalpers, I offered them $9 for a ticket assuming they would say no. One broker said no, the other said yes – $6 less than I had paid for the Minnesota game.

As I approached the main entrance to Welsh-Ryan Arena, there appeared to be fans with extra tickets. I hesitated to enter the arena and realized a group of guys had one extra ticket. I asked if I could have it; they said yes and gave me the ticket – meaning I now had two tickets.

I sold my first ticket for $10 to another fan outside the arena. I was now up a measly $1 buying tickets on the secondary market, but better than losing money on my first ticket. Ticket Buying Tip: Always accept a free ticket from anyone, whether you have tickets or not. The worst thing that will happen is that you have to give that ticket away or leave it on the ground. In the end, it costs you nothing and may save you money if you can find someone who will buy the ticket.

The Game
Northwestern and Michigan played a see-saw battle that saw Michigan take a 5 point lead three times in the second half but Northwestern always came back including a Kevin Coble three-pointer to tie the game at 56 with 21 seconds left in regulation. That shot sent the game to overtime. However, Michigan won the game in overtime 70-67. This was the first OT game I have attended since Illinois defeated Arizona at the United Center on December 8, 2007.