Final Four fever hits Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Final Four fever has hit Gainesville. The Florida Gators will face Connecticut in the Final Four next Saturday in Arlington, Texas, at 6:09 p.m.

The Gators advanced to Saturday's game with a 62-52 win over Dayton in the South Regional Final Saturday. 

UConn was the last team to beat the Gators this year. The Gators have won 30 consecutive games since that 65-64 loss on Dec. 2.

The University of Florida men's basketball team had plenty of support from its loyal fans.

"I think everybody is really excited. Just pumped up and ready for the next game," said Rachel Raymond. 

"Two of the four teams in the Final Four are the only teams to beat the Gators this year. So it's fitting the Final Four is who they are, " said Brian Taylor, UF Alum. 

With the Final Four matchups now set, some Gator fans at the Ballyhoo Grill in Gainesville are already thinking ahead to the national championship.

"After the tough football season, I think the entire town is just looking for a Gator victory,"  Jim Would said.

Would told Channel 4 he's among the thousands heading to Texas to see all the action.

"We actually booked airfare before the game.," Would said. "We figured a lot of people would be going after the big victory. So yeah, we're leaving out of Jacksonville Saturday morning, coming back Tuesday morning, celebrating a championship."

Those thinking about jetting off to the Lone Star State for some basketball do have some options. Vividseats.com is offering tickets for around $350.00. Stubhub.com is also selling tickets. For season ticket holders:

  • Ticket prices are $300 
  • There's also a $10 processing fee for the Final Four ticket package
  • Includes tickets to Saturday's semifinal games and Monday's championship game 

To order your tickets, you can:

  • Go to gatorzone.com
  • Call the Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, ext. 6800.
  • Ticket orders will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 31

UF Students who have attended three or more Gator home basketball games can order tickets for $40 apiece. All eligible UF students received an email on Sunday, March 30, with the specific ordering instructions.

Sunday, UF also announced travel packages for fans looking to head to north Texas for the Final Four action. 

Fans can choose from three different packages, one of which includes four nights hotel accommodations at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, the official Florida Headquarters, round-trip game transfers to AT&T Stadium on Saturday and Monday, round-trip shuttle to Final Four activities in downtown Dallas on Friday, Sunday and Monday, and a commemorative souvenir and name badge, readily accessible tour information and on-site staff services provided by Total Sports Travel.

Also offered is an optional charter air add-on which includes round-trip charter air from Gainesville or Orlando to Dallas on Southwest Airlines, round-trip airport to hotel transfers and baggage handling. A game ticket add-on can also be purchased.

For more information or to book a Final Four travel package with Total Sports Travel go to totalsportstravel.com or call 888-367-8781.

One hundred Rowdy Reptiles also have the option to travel to Dallas for the Final Four together via bus transportation.

Students who are interested must have a valid Gator 1 ID and must purchase a ticket to the Final Four via the student sale on Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, prior to securing a bus ticket.

Bus tickets will be available for $30 each on Gatorzone.com beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

The buses will depart the evening of Thursday, April 3, at 6 p.m. and arrive at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas mid-to-late morning on Friday, April 4 (these times are tentative). Buses will stage in the Phillips Center/SW Rec Parking lot, located next to the UF Soccer practice facility. Buses will not return to Gainesville until Tuesday, April 8, following Monday night's National Championship game.

Any student who opts to travel via bus must stay at the Hilton Anatole. Rooms are $253 plus tax per night and have a four-night minimum (Friday-Tuesday).  Students are allowed up to four students per room. Rooms will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.


About the Authors:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.