Las Vegas Weekly

March 18, 2010 · 11:43 AM

It’s hoopla as March Madness begins with basketball legends

By Robin Leach

Former Runnin' Rebel star Larry Johnson laughs while Jerry Tarkanian chomps on a towel during "Tark the Shark Day" at the Tropicana on March 17, 2010.

Photo: Brian Jones/Las Vegas News Bureau

It all starts today with the official arrival of March Madness! Ten glorious days of NCAA hoop excitement, with 64 teams that even had President Obama weighing in last night with a prediction that Kansas would win and our hometown UNLV would get booted in the first round. Boo to him! Could Syracuse upset Kansas? I leave it to the experts!

We posted a story yesterday of Kevin Burke’s brave and amazing prediction of the winning team. This morning, I signed the straps to seal his mind-boggling mentalism predictions -- the final two teams, the winner and the score, plus today’s betting slip -- in the box that will be placed on display in a cage at the Party Pit outside his comedy magic theater at Fitzgeralds downtown today. Nobody will touch it until our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman opens it right after the championship game April 5.

It’s all about college hoops from now until April 5. Former UNLV star Larry Johnson had some laughs last night while former coach Jerry Tarkanian chomped on a towel during "Tark the Shark Day" at Tropicana honoring the legendary basketball coach and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of UNLV’s national championship.

Basketball legends Bobby Knight and Billy Packer will have pre- and post-game commentary during the tournament at Lagasse’s Stadium in the Palazzo. The Knight-Packer College Experience with free admission features the experts giving their insight as they discuss the teams to beat, the players to watch and which school will win the national championship. There will be two daily sessions at 3 and 9 p.m. on the power weekends of March 25-28 and April 3-5.

Comedian and Flamingo headliner George Wallace plays host to Hoops with the Stars featuring NBA legends James “Big Game” Worthy and Clyde “The Glide” Drexler at three Strip hotels this Saturday: Planet Hollywood, Flamingo and O’Shea’s. They’ll sign autographs and pose for photos with fans at each stop. At O’Shea’s, George also will draw names of 10 winners who will play ball with the basketball veterans. James and Clyde will each captain a team of five players getting five shots apiece from pre-designated marks on the court that earn increasing points. The team with the most points wins $500 in cash and $500 in Reel Rewards for each member playing.

Our sports books are ready for the expected avalanche of betting, and giant multiple viewing screens are on wherever you turn. Everything is being done to welcome our sports-minded visitors and college enthusiasts. Free admission for March Hoopla Parties are set in the Mardi Gras Ballroom and the Bourbon Street Lounge at The Orleans 24 hours a day. Planet Hollywood’s mezzanine level is setting up eight giant-screen TVs and numerous plasma TVs from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

We’ll continue to seek out the highlights and bargains as March Madness takes over town. Our first discovery is the Society Cafe bar inside Steve Wynn’s Encore. During all Sweet 16 and Final Four games, prices are slashed on menu favorites, and select beers, mojitos, sangria and a featured cocktail are half price. Taste treats Mac ‘N Cheese Bites, Lollipop Chicken Wings, Spicy Pigs in the Blanket and Grandma Rose’s Meatballs are $5 each or three for $14. Flatbreads, Mini Dogs with Chili Cheese and Herb Fries, the Sloppy Joseph and Fish and Chips are all $9 each.

A warm welcome to all of our visitors over the next 10 days. You couldn’t ask for a better place than Las Vegas to spend your March Madness Spring Break!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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