March in Indianapolis is “much madness” as basketball mania takes hold of the city.  Downtown Indy will be the epicenter of the basketball universe, offering up a variety pack of hoops action that is unmatched by any city, anywhere.  In the month of March alone, Indianapolis will host at least 38 high school, college and professional basketball games.  That's a whole lotta hoops, right?!?

The hoops hysteria gets underway tomorrow for the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse, followed by the Big Ten Men’s tournament March 12-15.  The Big Ten Women's tournament, which runs through Sunday, kicks off a two-week extravaganza featuring some of the country’s finest collegiate athletes.  During the tournaments, downtown Indianapolis is alive with excitement in a Big Ten-centric atmosphere. Streets are re-named in honor of the Big Ten teams (think Boilermaker Way or Illini Drive) and pre-game pep rallies at designated downtown restaurants and bars pump up the fan fun factor. 

The hoops hoopla continues when national attention is focused on Indianapolis during “Selection Sunday” to announce the fields and pairings for the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s tournaments.  Subsequently, Lucas Oil Stadium will host its first NCAA tournament games on March 27 (and more on March 29) during the Men’s Midwest Regional, which will play through the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight to send a team on to the Final Four.

And, not to be overlooked, are our own NBA Indiana Pacers, who play six home games in Conseco Fieldhouse during the rest of the month (10, 18, 20, 25, 29 and 31).  The new-look team, sporting a new attitude, is poised to make a run for the playoffs with the exciting addition of seasoned NBA veterans and rookie sensations.  For fast-paced action in the heart of downtown Indy, there’s nothing better than the Pacers pounding the hardwood – it’s a slam dunk.

OK - I'm all out of basketball euphemisms, puns and cutesy plays on words, so let's wrap up this installment of "Indy Trip Planner."  Have a great weekend!