The success of Bracket Town meant almost as much to the NCAA as the success atReliant Stadium.

NCAA official Greg Shaheen praised Houston's Final Four efforts.

Kemba Walker wasn't the only one who flew high at this Final Four.

Kemba Walker and UConn got to cut down the nets at Reliant Stadium. But no onewho watched this game felt like dancing.

UConn 53, Butler 41 brought up visions of black and white basketball — whenscoring was almost considered illegal.

Houston still stood tall as a host city.

And a freshman named Jeremy Lamb was the best player on the floor.

Butler and UConn battled for the national championship at Reliant Stadium.

Kemba Walker missed his first five shots in the national championship game.

Butler coach Brad Stevens had his team believing — and fighting.

It's the Final Four of Jim Nantz's life. Because he's back in Houston callingit.

Nantz is certain that if Shelvin Mack and Butler topple UConn, it qualifies asthe greatest upset of all time.

People keep telling Nantz how nice everyone in Houston is.

Ali Fedotowsky hit St. Arnold's Brewery and the Kings of Leon concert atDiscovery Green on her Houston trip.

The Houston skyline is reflected in Ludacris' shades.

Christian Laettner, Ludacris and Bill Walton (not pictured) were also on hand atThe Big Dance

Surprising no one, Kentucky fan Ashley Judd cheered at Reliant from the frontrow of the student section.

Christian Laettner

Jim Valvano

Kemba Walker is more dominant in more ways than Jimmer Fredette.

Jimmer Fredette can only take over a game by scoring.

METRO was packed to and from the big games on Saturday

Long lines developed after the Big Dance ended as fans traveled from DiscoveryGreen to Reliant Stadium by rail

Reliant Stadium was filled with more 75,000 fans for the Final Four semifinals.

But some fans felt like the free Big Dance concert was even more hopping.

Kemba Walker's March may not be fully appreciated by his fans, but Houston'sshould buy in.

Kings of Leon

Ludacris hit the stage as MC along with former college and NBA legends BillWalton and Christian Laettner.

The Kings of Leon drew a large crowd to Discovery Green for the Big DanceConcert Series.

Kings of Leon lead singer Caleb Followill

A Kings of Leon fan holds up her camera to record the band.

Former Duke star Christian Laettner stopped by the stage with rapper/actorLudacris before Kings of Leon and got a mixed response from the crowd.

Among fans were Jeff Peoples and Karen Cox.

Discovery Green as viewed from One Park Place.

Ashley Judd cheered from the student section.

Drake came out to support UK.

Colonel Sanders and Kentucky fans

Elvis was near the house

UK fans are serious

Kemba Walker raced out ahead of Kentucky in the second Final Four semifinal atReliant Stadium.

Wildcats guard Brandon Knight never stopped believing that his team would win.

Butler has emerged as something of a favorite to win the national championshipwith the Bulldogs devouring foes like it's mascot Blue attacks a bone.

Should Matt Howard and Butler be favored over a traditional power Monday night?

Butler and VCU tipped off the Final Four in Houston.

Ronald Nored has been Butler's heart-and-soul battler in two Final Fours now.

His stats are rather ordinary, but everyone on both sides knew that VCU pointguard Joey Rodrguez could be the key to the game.

Jones quit his practice to give his side gig his full attention.

Kentucky Sports Radio's Matt Jones with Dick Vitale

Jones has let the blog be, but expanded with daily television and radio shows.

The crowd was ready for Sublime with Rome

It's easier to be part of the massive crowd than you might think.

Final Four tickets are easier to get once teams starting losing on Saturday.

Oscar Ozco gives it his all on the court at Bracket Town.

At the line, Kamron Jackson

Garrett Johnson goes for the goal.

Ebony Goudeau runs the football drill.

Judy Rodriguez take fencing lessons from Daniel Gorman, a Purdue Universityfencing alumni.

Is that Clint Eastwood or Jim Calhoun getting ready for Kentucky?

Jim Calhoun is letting it fly at the Houston Final Four.

Just don't tell players like Jeremy Lamb that he's mellowed.

Want to see a Final Four player? Hit the mall.

Kentucky forward Josh Harrellson notes that Houston's mall is "pretty big."

The Lindseys — Stacy, Audrey and Jordan — are rooting for their Wildcats throughthe weekend. They have tickets to both the Saturday and Monday night games.

It certainly wasn't filled to capacity, but the crowd at Reliant Stadium onFriday was enthusiastic.

Texas A&M students Thomas Sizer and Oliver Chen cut class to be at ReliantStadium. They don't seem too torn up about it.

Kenny Chesney on Sunday

Kings of Leon on Saturday afternoon

Sublime with Rome on Friday

George Bush sat front and center at the Final Four NCAA Salute.

Butler forward Matt Howard received a handshake from the former prez.

Kemba Walker is the most feared player in Houston and he knows it.

Kemba Walker's matchup with Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight could be thetalk of Final Four Saturday night.

The Alden

Hotel Icon

The steaks at Morton's are proving a lure for basketball fans.

The Grove is VIP central throughout the Final Four weekend and is closed to thepublic.

The Strip House has been bought out for Friday night but you can still sit downto your fave dishes the rest of the weekend.

Phi Slama Jama towered over the opposition.

Houston coach Guy Lewis led the Cougars to five Final Fours.

Clyde Drexler doesn't let not winning a college championship haunt him.

John Calipari expects The Commonwealth to descend on Houston.

Forget Ashley Judd. Jay-Z was the star who visited the Kentucky locker roomafter the Final Four-clinching win.

The Dude Perfect guys

The shot at Buffalo Bayou

VCU coach Shaka Smart embraces his players. But it took a while for point guardJoey Rodrguez to believe and hug back.

Joey Rodriguez couldn't see how Smart could ever replace the imposing andcharismatic Anthony Grant.

Kentucky coach John Calipari is 52, but he still trends young with the recruitsthat matter.

The downtown Final Four party at George R. Brown. It's Bracket Town!

Anyone wanna shoot some hoops?

IMG's Shea Guinn and City of Houston's Sharon Adams discuss the details ofBracket Town.

Blocking. Very essential in basketball.

Where can you see Antonio Gates, Robert Horry, Clyde Drexler, and Desmond Howardplay a game of H-O-R-S-E? Right here on Buick Center Court, of course.

It's training day! Football is one of the many sports you'll get to play atBracket Town.

You, too, can kick a soccer ball in a dress at Bracket Town.

What goes up must be downtown.

The Hold Steady warms up the crowd at 7 p.m. Friday for headliner Sublime withRome.

Uncle Kracker entertains at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, followed by Pat Green and headlineKenny Chesney

Hear Roger Creager at 4 p.m. Sunday at Capitol One JamFest, part of The BigDance

Panic! at the Disco opens for headliner Kings of Leon on Saturday.

Following Vallejo on Saturday, Robert Randolph & The Family Band take the stage.

Vellejo plays at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Coke Zero Countdown, part of The BigDance

Los Skarnales at 4:45 p.m. Friday at the AT&T Block Party, part of The Big Dance

Porch Swing is a spot for VCU fans

Designated hangouts: Christian's Tailgate is for Kentucky Wildcat fans

360 Sports Lounge is for the Butler faithful

Sushi Raku aims for U Conn fans

Robert Wuhl

Guy Lewis

Brett Cullen

Jamie Skeen — one of college basketball's discards — celebrates that he and VCUare headed to Houston for the Final Four.

It will be the haves vs the have nots with Kentucky coach John Calipari takingon UConn in one Saturday night semifinal and VCU getting Butler in the other.

Sometimes you're so happy that you can't help but cry. VCU in a quiet moment onits Final Four journey with coach Shaka Smart.

The court is set for the Houston Final Four and the teams are too.

VCU pulled off the most improbable Final Four run of all time.

Bill Self has more March misery.

Marcus Morris isn't just the most intimidating player in college basketball.He's the smartest.

The Kansas dance team and cheerleaders are near celebrities in San Antonio.

The iconic scenes of the River Walk are being replaced by Jayhawk city.

Brad Stevens is the best coach in America. That's the reason Butler is back inthe Final Four.

When Butler needed a basket most, Stevens called precise plays that got the ballto players like Matt Howard in position to do something.

Patch the Pig is picking Kansas.

Can your bracket compete?

Zoë the Dog likes Arizona.

The VCU players celebrated like they'd won it all after beating Florida State inOT. And why not? The Rams are already the first team ever to win four games toget to the Elite Eight.

Shaka Smart made the right call by changing his call on decisive inbounds play.

They don't call Bradford Burgess "Big Shot Brad" for nothing.

But now fearsome Kansas, arguably the most talented No. 1 seed still standing,awaits the smarter Cinderella.

Rick Pitino may have gotten himself into a fight he cannot win with Kansas'Morris twins.

No killer instinct? Is Pitino calling the Morris twins soft?

Even the Morris twins must want better teams to trash talk.

Bill Self hasn't had much March angst this year.

When dunks are free in a regional semifinal.

VCU guard Joey Rodriguez is the heart of an underdog team.

Joey Rodriguez even shot down former NBA shooting whiz Steve Kerr in a 3-pointcontest.

Old computers, fax machines, keyboards and home phones are all examples ofacceptable electronics to donate.

It's a drive-through drop-off; you don't even have to leave your car to safelyrecycle your electronics.

Workers and volunteers will direct traffic for convenience and unload donationsstraight from your truck bed or trunk.

The Big Dance dish — tacos al carbon with queso, chips and pico de gallo.Flatware not included.

Ninfa's is making extra dough for tortillas in the days leading up to The BigDance — but they'll be cooked fresh on site.

Derrick Williams is clearly the best player in college basketball.

Sorry Jimmer Fredette. It's true.

Just ask Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

That is, in fact, a very big bunny. A Flemish Giant rabbit, to be exact.

If you're into animals, you'll love Bracket Town.

Don't worry. The American alligator won't bite you at Bracket Town. We hope.

Kyrie Irving of Duke

Kentucky's Terrance Jones

The midcourt circle on year's Final Four floor.

The Final Four floor is touring around in a truck before arriving in Houston.

One sideline on the Houston Final Four floor.

Even the Dallas police wanted to get in on the signing action in the Final Fourfloor's tour.

Sublime with Rome, with band members Rome Ramirez, from left, Eric Wilson andBud Gaugh

Pat Green

Kevin Durant didn't want to be in school and shouldn't have been forced to gofor a year.

Kobe Bryant went straight to the pros. That should still be an option for highschool stars. But if they commit to college, they have to really commit.

John Wall is part of the Kentucky starting five that were all drafted in thefirst round.

Jim Burr was part of the officiating crew that Texas and coach Rick Barnes willnever forget. Burr didn't make the five-second call that drove Barnes iratethough.

The NCAA Tournament is crueler to its losers than any other sporting event. Theend can be beyond sudden.

As Jordan Hamilton and Texas found out.

Texas' Tristan Thompson

Derrick Williams is Arizona's top player, arguably the best player in thecountry.

Texas coach Rick Barnes preaches defense first.

Downtown Tulsa can seem like a quiet place up close.

But the BOK Center is a revelation for intimate basketball.

Texas' Tristan Thompson knows Tulsa's perfect for one of life's most vitalthings too.

A good night's sleep.

Zoë likes Arizona, but they've been shaky so far.

Zoë the Dog and Patch the Pig are vying for psychic animal supremacy.

Can your bracket beat our psychic animals' picks?

Derrick Williams understands the responsibilities of a game changer.

Tristan Thompson is asking to play the opposing team's best player one on one.Is a game changer being born?

Keith Benson crumbled once the block was on him instead.

Could Texas really be in the same class as North Carolina's 2005 high-flyingnational championship team?

Oakland University coach Greg Kampe puts Texas in that company.

And says that these Longhorns are every bit as good as No. 1 overall seed OhioState.

Tristan Thompson and Texas swatted away Oakland University's Cinderella dreams.

Oakland center Keith Benson has posed problems for teams from big conferencesand small. But he found his match in Thompson.

Jordan Hamilton has been driving the Longhorns all season.

Tristan Thompson promised to bring the intensity.

Rick Barnes won't be lounging, but this is the most relaxed he's ever been goinginto the NCAA Tournament.

Taylor Swift could relate to this approach.

Rick Pitino ... not so much.

If you're a 6-foot-8 NBA prospect do you really want to be compared to a dog?

Entertaining Oakland University coach Greg Kampe didn't mean any harm with hisdog comment.

Still, Texas forward Tristan Thompson didn't quite know how to take it.

The NCAA would have you believe the NCAA Tournament started on Tuesday inDayton. Instead, it really began with Butler forward Matt Howard's buzzerbeater.

Texas made itself some fans in Tulsa when its stars like Tristan Thompsonstarted throwing free stuff into the stands.

Our animal psychics, from top left: Zoë, Sushi, Corfu and Patch.

The full bracket from our animal experts — can you choose better?

Zoë picks Arizona over Duke.

Patch votes Jayhawk.

Corfu likes Utah State.

Imagine bringing this tailgate to 78,000 people and you have an idea of the goalat the Houston Final Four.

The NCAA hopes that the Reliant Stadium lots will be even more festive than theones around Lucas Oil Stadium for the Final Four in Indianapolis last year.

Houston's Final Four tailgating doesn't figure to be this Do It Yourself. Atleast, not the official portion.

Hate Duke and coach Mike Krzyzewski? Pick the Blue Devils to go far in yourbracket. Then, you'll be happy either way.

There are better ways to pick your NCAA Tournament bracket. And most don'tinvolve any basketball analysis.

Shelvin Mack and Butler still make for must-watch TV a year later.

John Calipari knows he cannot look at Princeton as a pushover.

Jimmer Fredette is not letting BYU lose in the first round.

Saint Mary's guard Mickey McConnell and his teammates are the one with a realNCAA Tournament snub gripe.

Even if Colorado coach Tad Boyle is getting all the pity party attention.

Both Colorado and Alabama earned their way off of the bracket.

Texas coach Rick Barnes cannot be happy with his team's NCAA Tournament seeding.

Oakland University center Keith Benson is no small-time player.

It's all about the bracket now.

Jared Sullinger leads the No. 1 overall seed, Ohio State.

Tristan Thompson and Texas found out how much their late stumbles cost them.

Jimmer Fredetter is the leading scorer in the nation, but he found out how mucha teammate scoring in the bedroom costs at BYU.

It's all about getting to Reliant Stadium, where 78,000 people are expected tobe packed in for each Final Four game.

Jimmer Fredette and BYU have earned a No. 2 seed. But this Selection Sundayhinges on the bedroom.

It's all about being in the best position to get to Reliant Stadium for asupersized Final Four.

Gene Hackman in "Hoosiers"

Kenneth Faried of Morehead State

Kenny Chensey knows that all signs are pointing at him performing in Houston forthe free Big Dance Concert Series.

Right back at you, Kenny Chesney.

Kings of Leon is already confirmed as the April 2 free Big Dance concert atDiscovery Green.

Shasta can start getting ready for football season — already.

Arsalan Kazemi carried Rice to one win. Only problem? He needs to do it threemore days in a row.

The Final Four and all its logos can only inspire so much.

Original Ninfa's on Navigation

The Tasting Room

House of Blues

The judges' favorite: Original Ninfa's on Navigation's fajita with chips andqueso.

Paella by second place finisher The Tasting Room

Lobster tacos (and slider in background) from House of Blues

And the winner is...Max's Wine Dive!

Loyal patrons of Max's

Get ready for small and big bites from Max's.

Rick Pitino, Louisville heach coach

Jacob Pullen, guard for Kansas State

Max's Wine Dive

The Tasting Room

Kings of Leon lead singer Caleb Followill

Kings of Leon

Jimmer Fredette gets his national TV showcase.

Steve Lavin has gone from question mark to the talk of the mighty Big East.

Sylvia's felt like Butler's Gordon Hayward after his half-court shot in thenational championship game at the buzzer just bounced out. Cinderella was soclose.

Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen

Only one restaurant — and chef crew — will emerge from the Big Dance RestaurantChallenge.

Have you updated your bracket?

Which restaurant do you have at the buzzer?

The Big Dance Restaurant Challenge is speedy toward a fantastic finish inseveral first-round matchups.

Which chef do you got?

Epic buzzer beaters aren't just reserved for Duke-Kentucky and other NCAATournament classics.

Gigi's Asian Bistro

P.F. Chang's

Jared Sullinger powers an Ohio State team that's trying to go undefeated.

Dwight Hardy keeps shooting St. John's to bigger and bigger upsets — and likelyan NCAA Tournament berth.