CEDAR FALLS - A nearly 1,900-mile journey to Portland, Ore., doesn't fit into many Panther fans' budgets.

The opening round of NCAA tournament basketball pits the University of Northern Iowa against Purdue there at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

But amidst a flurry of excitement, the announcement was like a dagger for senior Mike Stout, sports editor at the Northern Iowan, UNI's student newspaper.

"Our newspaper's really hurting for money right now," Stout said after the selection show Sunday.

Stout would either have to pull - maybe tug on - some strings for his ticket to live game action or unleash his persuasive skills as part of a Plan B.

"My parents have done crazier things with money," Stout said.

Then there's always the "incredibly disappointing" last resort: Watch the game on TV.

Depending on the departure city, flying halfway across the country and back ranged from about $700 to as much as $1,300.

Many would have preferred shorter, more drivable distances like Kansas City or Minneapolis. UNI students are on spring break this week, the perfect time for a road trip.

Even some of the Panthers' biggest supporters had to pass up the chance to go. Travis Vanderlinden, who's vacationing in the southern region of the country, was a redshirt sophomore for the team this season. If the Panthers had been bound for the East Coast, like in North Carolina or Miami, he'd probably be on his way.

Lifelong fan D.J. Deery, who grew up in Cedar Falls and is now a UNI sophomore, was willing to take a rain check on a Chicago Bulls game to join his parents and six brothers and sisters at the UNI game.

As of Sunday, however, Deery and his family would settle for catching the game on TV and possibly receiving insider updates from Deery's friend, basketball manager sophomore Jason Kern.

By no means, however, will the Panther cheering section be empty. A charter plane carrying the team, pep band, cheerleaders, dance team, coaches and fans left Tuesday from the Waterloo Regional Airport.

"I think there's about 130 people on the plane," said Mark Jastorff, president and CEO of UNI's Alumni Association.

Also, about 230 alumni live in Portland, Jastorff said. A reunion event is in the works for Wednesday, along with a pre-game breakfast at the hotel Thursday morning. Fans can upload photos or view information on the socials at www.uni.edu/ncaa.

"Then if we win, we'll have a party somewhere," he said.

Others are planning their own social events here in the Cedar Valley. As has been tradition when UNI makes it to the tournament, Barnes Building Materials in Cedar Falls will close at 1 p.m. to tune in at Mulligan's Brick Oven Pub & Grill. The company's president and other staff are UNI alum, as are many of its customers. A total of 30 people are expected to join.

"We got to get one of our guys here to sacrifice and get there at 10 in the morning and just sit there and do whatever he has to do to hold down the spot," said salesman Rod Payne. "It's a pretty tight-knit group."

A group of Alpha XI Delta sorority members will probably claim a spot on College Hill, said senior Hanna Albaugh. Sophomore Josh Betts works at Fareway in the morning but said he'll be off in time for the tip off.

Area bars and restaurants are gearing up for crowds.

Beck's Sports Brewery in Waterloo will have extra beer and staff on tap, said assistant manager Amanda Test. Its 52 TVs, including two giant projection screens on the lower level, will immerse folks in tournament play.

"You can't sit somewhere and not see the game," Test said.

Contact Tina Hinz at (319) 291-1484 or tina.hinz@wcfcourier.com.