In most sports, not winning the championship game means that your season has ended in failure. But in college basketball, bizarrely, finishing in the top four is cause for celebration. So it's fitting that Indianapolis, a city OK with losing a championship game, is hosting the NCAA Men's Final Four. Last month an Indianapolis TV reporter was getting reactions as fans left bars after the favored hometown Colts piddled away Super Bowl XLIV to the New Orleans Saints. Their mild disappointment was often tempered by the hope that the win would bring some happiness to the decimated NOLA. Or satisfaction that two of the Saints' stars had played college football in Indiana. Finding solace in your team blowing a half-time lead in a championship game, how Midwestern quaint. So for you college hoops fans traveling to Indy next month, here are some spots where you can drink with locals who share your enthusiasm for almost winning.
- Zach Everson