MEN’S BASKETBALL
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Big Ten CommunicationsPublished: 1/29/2024, Last updated: 1/30/2024
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2024 TIAA Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Ancillary Events

BIG TEN MAKERS MARKET

Featuring local creators and Big Ten Conference alumni, the Big Ten Makers Market will be your one-stop shop for fan gear, gifts, and more! Enjoy live music and entertainment, food and drinks from Tom’s Watch Bar pop-up, and more.

  • Date: Wednesday–Saturday, March 13–16

  • Time: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (CT)

  • Location: Minneapolis City Center

  • Admission: Free, Open to All

MINNESOTA CHAMPIONS TOUR

Between sessions make sure to pass through City Center and check out the Minnesota Champions Tour. Try your hand at Minnesota classic sports like curling, gymnastics, hockey, and of course, basketball. The Minnesota Champions Tour features several Big Ten alumni and memorabilia exhibit where fans can check out items such as Lou Nanne’s Team USA sweater jersey, Gable Steveson’s shoes and a replica of his gold medal, and much more.

  • Date: Wednesday–Saturday, March 13–16

  • Time: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (CT)

  • Location: Minneapolis City Center

  • Admission: Free, Open to All

CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS

Powered by Minnesota Sports and Events partners Bell Bank and Star Tribune, this speaker series showcases conversations with a diverse collection of local and national community leaders, influencers, and changemakers representing a wide variety of industries and communities with topics including social justice and community engagement, current affairs, leadership, and more.

  • Date: Wednesday, March 13

  • Time: 3:30–5 p.m. (CT)

  • Location: Tom's Watch Bar

  • Admission: Free, Open to All with Registration

  • Registration Link: Coming Soon!

BIG TEN GIVES BACK

March is Minnesota Food Share Month and during the 2024 TIAA Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments Minnesota Sports and Events is partnering with Hands On Twin Cities to support Twin Cities youth facing food insecurity. Grab a friend or your team and join us to bundle snack-packs for local food shelves and youth recreation centers across Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

  • Date: Thursday, March 14

  • Volunteer Check-In: 3:30 p.m. (CT)

  • Project Begins: 4 p.m. (CT)

  • Project Wraps: 5 p.m. (CT)

  • Location: Downtown Minneapolis

  • Admission: Free, Open to All with Registration

  • Registration Link: Coming Soon!

PRACTICE WITH A PURPOSE YOUTH CLINICS 

A series of FREE youth skills clinics open to Minnesota youth in grades 3 - 6. Each clinic is a 90-minute-long session that includes skills training and basketball drills, a “chalk talk” about the value of a team both on and off the court, and free play to work on new basketball skills. Each child will receive a Practice with a Purpose t-shirt and water and snacks during the clinic.

  • Date: Friday, March 15

  • Time: 3–5 p.m. (CT)

  • Location: Life Time Fitness at Target Center

  • Admission: Free, Open to All with Registration

  • Registration Link: Coming Soon!

BLUE CARPET ARRIVALS & PEP RALLIES PRESENTED BY DIRECTV

Ahead of the championship game fans are invited to rally in the Target Center lobby to welcome the finalist teams as they walk the blue carpet when they arrive at the arena. The competing school’s spirit squads and pep bands will be on site pumping up the crowd with their rousers and cheers.

  • Date: Sunday, March 17 

  • Time: 12 p.m. (CT)

  • Location: Target Center Lobby

  • Admission: Free, Open to All

JUNIOR JOURNALISM

Paired with a local member of the local media as their mentor, our Junior Journalists will have the opportunity to experience the Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments as a credentialed member of the media. Attending press conferences, conducting interviews, and documenting their experience provides local youth the opportunity to develop key skills as they explore the potential for a future in journalism. Following the tournament participants will produce a final project that will be shared by all partners and published on the Minnesota Sports and Events website. This program is presented in partnership with the Minnesota Broadcasters Association.