Final Four in final stages
Rice, UH sponsor college basketball’s big show in Houston this week

The NCAA Men’s Final Four came to Houston this week courtesy of Rice University and the University of Houston, co-sponsors of this year’s college basketball finale.

While tickets to Saturday’s semifinal and Monday night’s championship games — all at Reliant Stadium — are sold out, the Rice community is welcome to take part in events associated with the Final Four.

Fans can see the championship contenders — Kentucky, Connecticut, Virginia Commonwealth and Butler — practice April 1 from noon to 4 p.m. at Reliant Stadium, followed by the Reese’s College All-Star Game at 4:35 p.m. Admission and parking for both events are free.

The Big Dance, a free three-day concert series, will be held at downtown Houston’s Discovery Green from 4-10 p.m. April 1, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. April 2 and 3-10 p.m. April 3. Headline acts are Sublime With Rome on Friday, Kings of Leon on Saturday and Kenny Chesney on Sunday.

Rounding out the week’s events are a fan festival at the George R. Brown Convention Center that continues through April 4 and youth clinics.

”The Final Four is a marvelous event for the city and a tremendous opportunity to show the rest of the nation what we have to offer,” Rice Athletics Director Rick Greenspan told NCAA.com.

Find a complete list of Final Four events at the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau website.