OU mania has hit Green Country

Both the men and women's OU basketball teams are hoping to bring national titles home. The excitement has folks here in Green Country racing to pickup merchandise and scrambling for game tickets.

Tuesday, March 26th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Both the men and women's OU basketball teams are hoping to bring national titles home. The excitement has folks here in Green Country racing to pickup merchandise and scrambling for game tickets.

News on Six reporter Patrina Adger says Crimson and CrÃ¨me reigns supreme at Big Red Sales. And the sounds of the OU band have these fans in the Sooner Spirit. "They're gonna be the champions, they're gonna win." Nancy Hood, "Sweatshirts, t-shirts, anything." And OU merchandise is flying off the shelves. â€œThis T-shirt's for me, gotta get a sweatshirt for Dad, a hat for Mom, oh and I can't forget my dog."

Gary Vance, owner of Big Red Sales, "By the time it's Thursday and Friday, this is gonna be a bandwagon deluxe." From hats to a variety of Final Four fashions. Folks say they'll pay anything to support the Sooners. Hood, â€œI don't notice the prices, it doesnâ€™t matter what it costs."

Well, it'll cost you to see game up close. Gary Michels with the travel agency, Carlson Wagonlit, says their offering several packages to fans wanting to see the men's game Saturday night. Theyâ€™re offering a 4-day package leaving Tulsa on Friday for $875 per person for double occupancy. Michels says it's a great deal since airfare alone will run you close to $1,200. "Our package includes logging, airfare, includes transfer to and from the game." But it doesn't include game tickets. "One thing we're recommending to people is possibly waiting until you get there to buy tickets."

So will folks take that midnight train or flight to Georgia. Hood, "No, I'm not going to Atlanta, Nah, I'll just watch it here." If you're interested in the Atlanta package you can call Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

The number is 1-800-688-8033.