SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The first game of March Madness tipped off Tuesday night. It kickstarts another year of entertaining basketball and busted brackets.
The excitement is building for March Madness.
“We’re always ready for March Madness. It’s kind of like the last hurrah before the summer hits,” Gateway Bar & Grill bartender Jordan Westhoff said.
“It’s one of the best times of the year, if not the best,” Gibs Sports Bar and Gateway Bar & Grill general manager Jackson Rentschler said.
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Rentschler is expecting good crowds, especially for the SDSU women’s game on Saturday.
“There’s a lot of buzz around them, so it really brings people in,” Rentschler said.
“They got a ten seed, which we’re not all thrilled about, but I think they’ll do alright,” Westhoff said.
Rentschler also says that Gibs and Gateway will be having a special for game-winning buzzer-beaters.
“If there’s a buzzer beater at any point while you’re here, whatever you’re drinking, the next one is two bucks. I think it’s happened like 40 times in the entire time of March Madness. Knowing my luck, it will happen ten times, but I think it’ll be a lot of fun to kind of get the crowd excited,” Rentschler said.
All to help fans gear up for another year of upsets and close finishes.
“The staff is ready for it, and I can’t wait to see the atmosphere,” Rentschler said.
“It’s just a thrill that it’s a one-game winner-take-all, and you never know what’s going to happen,” Westhoff said.
With the first games on Thursday and Friday beginning just after 11 a.m., Rentschler says Gibs and Gateway will open early at 10:30 a.m. on both days.
