SYRACUSE -- Four college basketball teams have fans pouring into Central New York. The early arrivals for the Sweet 16 games made their way around town, finding team spirit and new places to explore.
Are you from out of town? Head to a Syracuse staple like Dinosaur Barbecue to meet basketball fans. "Food is excellent. Outstanding," says Don Johnson of Kentucky.
While the Kentucky Wildcats eat upstairs, fans from more than 600 miles away enjoy ribs, beans and everything Dino one floor down. The team takes on Cornell first on Thursday. "I'm not really too worried about Cornell. You've got your best talent on the floor. Of course Kansas, so you never know. But we are bigger and faster," says Greg Johnson of Kentucky.
It's not all Kentucky. Kurt Ostling and his wife are in Syracuse to root on West Virginia, and take in the sights this city has to offer. Ostling says, "I love this town. I like Clark's Ale House and I like the Dino Bar."
One team making its debut in the Sweet 16 this year is Cornell. Whether fans came from near or far to watch the game they say they'll take advantage of playing close to home.
His first time back to watch his college team, Steve Seitz is in town early for a pep rally. Seitz says, "On the upside for us, it's 45 minutes from campus. Hopefully a lot of students show up tomorrow and also Kentucky is young. They get rattled early. We get some shots early and have a good chance at the game."
It's fun for now, but their true colors will come out when their teams take the courts tonight.
More NCAA coverage
Salt City to Salt Lake - Something's in the air
Boeheim says Onuaku out for Orange vs. Butler
A Big Red Homecoming
Big Red expecting more as Kentucky awaits
Sweet 16: cleaning up and dressing up
Cornell basketball keeps tragedies in mind
NCAA web site
CBS Sports
