The lucky few – roughly 1,000 Badger fans get the chance to see March Madness in person

Mar 19, 2021 | 6:50 PM

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – While millions of Wisconsin Badgers fans across the country tuned into the opening round of March Madness, only about 1,000 fans had the chance to watch in person.

While the six tournament venues in Indiana are offering 25 percent capacity fans, just 14,000 seats at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette means only about 1,000 open tickets for Badger fans.

Still, some, like Lilly Kuske and her mother Amanda, found a way in.

“I was like, I really want to see a game this year, it’s been such a rough year,” Lilly Kuske said. “I was like, the Big Ten Tournament had fans, there’s a chance there will be fans for the tournament. I got a hold of my mom, and there was.”

We found @BadgerMBB fans in West Lafayette!

Lilly Kuske and her mom Amanda drove EIGHT HOURS to catch the #MarchMadness matchup against UNC.

Their predictions for tonight’s game, on #News3Now at 5! @WISCTV_News3 pic.twitter.com/adlUF9hbh1

— Adam Duxter (@News3Adam) March 19, 2021

Kuske said the moment tickets went on sale, they made a move.

“I text (my mom),” Kuske said. “She was at work, and I was in history class. I was like, we can’t not *not* go. We have to go. I don’t care what it takes.”

Friday, despite the Mackey Arena pavilion was sparsely populated pregame, the two made the most of the moment.

“I’m really nervous,” Kuske said. “I think it’s a really good matchup.”