Final four makes an impact on Space City.
We're live with the madness in
downtown and we're adding it all
up what it takes to be a number
one host as Houston rolls out
the carpet for the final four.
Chasing college basketball
glory, the final four teams
start to arrive here in Houston.
Yeah, it won't be long now.
Tonight we are three days away m
Houston hosting the NCAA Mens fl
four. Yeah, we have our team
covering it all as we count down
to Saturday's semifinal matchup.
Now check this out.
Three of the teams are making their very
first appearance in the final f.
UConn is the only team that
has won a championship,
so we could see a first time
champion crowned on Monday.
Hello there.
Good early evening to you.
I'm a Grady.
I'm Lynn Cannon, a part of
downtown Houston being transford
to play host to thousands.
And there's a new temporary
attraction downtown,
a Ferris wheel for fans to ride,
located just outside the GRB.
Nearby, Discovery Green is set p
for the music festival and conct
starting Friday with Megan the stallion.
And along Main Street and other
major thoroughfares around down,
they're doing some last minute
preps for final four weekend.
Yeah, they have a lot of fun
things happening for visitors as
well as locals and aluise joinig
us live with more Anna Yelli.
Hey guys, crews are still out he
working on those last minute details.
Check it out. This is the entrance to
the final final fan music festi.
Now we also want to show you soe
video we shot earlier by our dre
11 of you from the sky of the sl
basketball murals that will covr
many of the downtown sidewalks.
They'll add a QR code for people
to scan using their phone.
It'll give people information
about the different restaurantsd
bars that are open this weekend,
as well as guide them to various
events taking place.
In our area and just last night,
the downtown district put up moe
than 166 banners on Poles stretg
from City Hall to Discovery Gre,
welcoming people to Houston.
And soon you'll also notice some
people strolling around downtow,
helping those who might be lost.
Also, many of the places will be open
late to accommodate for the cro.
We've worked with the restaurant
community in downtown to make se
that not only do we have specias
for visitors that are in town,
but also make sure that they're gonna
be open because in some cases te
games are gonna be open or theye
gonna be over very late at nigh.
So on on Saturday night
and then on Monday night.
Well, they also tell us they've
planted over 46,000 flowers in advance
for this weekend and cleanup crs
will be working around the clock
making sure our streets are cle.
And Speaking of streets,
as you can see out here they are
diverting traffic because of ane
less America's here is closed o.
So if you're in the area be car,
make sure his cruiser still likI
said trying to do those last mie
touches and one thing I'd like to add,
they're going to have DJ,
they're going to have different
DJ's at different.
Intersections and of course,
we'll have that information foru
guys on our website reporting l.
Angela Ruiz, KHOU 11 news.
The saying goes,
the joints going to be jumping.
Anna Yelly, thank you.
And if you are heading downtown,
parking will be more challenging than ever.
Now, to save yourself some time,
you can park at UH downtown,
also in the theater district,
then simply jump on the metro le
for a quick ride to the GRB for free.
And if you use a ride share,
expect an increase in fees.
Traffic expert Jennifer Reyna
breaks it all down for you.
Including where the designated
pickup and drop off spots are.
That's for Uber and Lyft.
That's available right now.
K2.com/final four.
Let's talk numbers now.
What does it take to pull off the final four?
Make Houston a number one host
Jeremy Rogowski is live outside
Fanfest downtown with some of the fun
factoids about the big event. Jeremy.
Yeah, I mean, this is the
big dance in 3D. Of course.
It all began with 68 teams,
now dribbled down to four.
Two will tango before one is eventually
crowned the national champions.
Now off the court,
we zeroed in on some other numb,
putting Houston on the national stage.
Houston is in 7th Heaven on Clod
9 to be hosting the final Four,
and it's clear why an estimated 75,000
out of Towners are heading this.
The NCAA alone has blocked
off 35,000 hotel rooms.
The overall local economic boos?
A projected 150 million final fr
teams are coming from coast to Coast,
4757 total travel miles to H Town and the
pregame festivities will be jam packed.
At Discovery Green,
up to 22,000 for each March
Madness Music festival show,
and next door at Fanfest,
they've laid out 535 rolls of blue carpet,
40,760 square yards on the convention floor.
On Sunday, kiddos will dribble 0
basketballs from City Hall to the GRB,
which is 5.6 miles to NRG 74 thousands,
the lucky number for fans here?
That's the total number of ticks
for each final four-game.
But if you can't make it in per,
nearly 60 TV cameras from
every conceivable angle will
catch all the action for you.
And that, of course, leads us to
the magic number, which is 11,
as in KHOU 11 and CBS the place
to watch it all. Mia, it's
going to be a good time,
and we are happy to play host.
Thanks so much, jervy.
Saturday, San Diego tips off against FAU
in the first game at NRG Stadium at 509.
Then Yukon in Miami take to the court to
battle it out to become the final team
to play in Monday's NCAA Championship game.
Again, you can watch all the
action right here on KU 11,
now the final four.
Team started arriving in Houston today.
Yeah, San Diego just landed the Aztecs.
UConn expected late tonight.
Both Florida teams,
Miami and FSU made it to their hotels
as the fans lined up to greet t.
Joe Harris was there.
He joins us live from downtown Gerald.
There's a ton of fanfare for the
teams arriving here to Houston.
Miami and FAU are already here,
made their way here to downtown.
Each team pulled into downtown
earlier with an escort from HPD.
Miami, a fifth seed,
is looking forward to going against UConn,
a fourth seat Saturday,
while FAU will take on
San Diego State Saturday.
Both teams are excited to be in
the final four, then to be ableo
compete next to their teammates.
FAU is playing with a chip on their shoulder,
trying to prove doubters wrong.
Miami.
There's a team that knocked UH t
of the tournament in are considd
one of the favorites to win it .
Now all tournament teams will sy
here in downtown while they com.
Back to you
thank you Sir.
A lot happening as we've said.
To register for events,
text the word madness to
713-526-1111 this.