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Elvis Sightings: Reports from the Big Ten Tournament

Firsthand accounts from the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis: Pictures, commentary, and more from Iowa fan legend Hawkeye Elvis!

By Cornshoe Hammaker
Hawkeye Elvis

Greetings OTE Readers! I’m long-time reader and never poster Hawkeye Elvis.

I am insanely fortunate and privileged to have the opportunity to attend both the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis.

My only other trip here was brief and heartbreaking in December of 2015, so let’s just not talk about that anymore.

And since I’m hoping to be here for a REALLY long time, I reached out to my dickhead frien—I mean, scholarly gentleman—MNWildcat about passing on some tidbits, since I’m boots on ground.

So consider me your OTE Special Correspondent. While my perspective will have a decidedly Hawkeye slant, I’ll still pass on stories, photos and anything else mildly amusing during my time here.

Ironically, while driving to Indy, I stopped for gas in Champaign just after the Big Ten had announced Luka Garza had been named the Player of the Year for the second straight year. Considering I wear nothing but Black and Gold and my vehicle is covered in Iowa stuff, I got the hell out of there as quickly as possible.

Downtown Indianapolis is really cool. It was a bit breathtaking to see not only Lucas Oil Stadium but also the huge bracket they put on the side of the JW Marriott.

Fun Fact! Elvis had his last live performance in June 1977 right here in Indianapolis. Another fun fact is there is a Giordano’s directly across from where I’m staying...so I may end up looking more like the King than I planned by the time I leave.

You know who else is staying by me? Both Wisconsin and Nebraska.

I tried to walk past, but it hooked my arm and pulled me to the ground. The Nebraska bus didn’t seem interested in stopping me in any way.

There is a palpable buzz in the city with so many teams coming to town for such a long time. I was reminded of that when I saw newly minted Horizon League Champs Cleveland State getting off their team bus while I was out for a stroll this morning.

And come next Monday or Tuesday, there will be a boatload more teams to come. I can’t wait.

More to come. Thank ya, thank ya very much….
Hawkeye Elvis

PS: BREAKING—tomorrow’s update will be of particular interest to MNW, as I am now attending Minny/jNW. Stay tuned!

Have questions for Hawkeye Elvis? Want to know more about the scene at the Big Ten Tournament? Submit them in the comments, and we’ll make sure the King gets back to you as soon as he can!