NEW ORLEANS — Beyond the last-minute heroics and the untold promise of a national championship lies a reality for Syracuse basketball fans as harsh as a Jeremy McNeil shot-block.

As the Orangemen marched from Boston to Albany and now on to New Orleans, their fans followed. Some packed tight into cars and even tighter into hotel rooms just to see Carmelo and company eliminate all comers. Although they undoubtedly gained memories not soon forgotten, the monetary price paid will probably not elicit the same fond memories.

This fact is especially true for those who plan to migrate to the Big Easy to witness SU tangle with Texas on Saturday in the Louisiana Superdome. The cross-country trip is not a cheap one. Between travel, lodging, food and the tickets themselves, a member of the Orange faithful is looking at a hefty bill with no guarantee that his team will even be in contention after Saturday.

To break down the cost you have to start at the beginning — tickets. Hundreds huddled in front of Carrier Dome Gate E in the snowy weather to garner seats ranging from $120 to $180. But tickets did not sell out until 15 minutes before the box offices were set to close-up shop at 4 p.m, said Carrier Dome General Manager Pat Campbell. Those who did not make it down to the Dome might have to try their luck on Internet auction site eBay, where a trio of tickets and a Carmelo Anthony autographed edition of this very paper has not yet met it’s opening bid of $1,1999.99.

The trip down South will prove far less cost-efficient for residents of the Hill than did the East Regional finals in Albany, a measly two-hour jaunt compared to the 20-hour journey to New Orleans. T.J. Basalla and five of his friends all made the trip to see the Albany games, utilizing an early ‘90s Pontiac. Basalla, a freshman broadcast journalism major, said he dropped about $250 in total for his weekend, a far cry from Cheaptickets.com’s flight listings that do not drop below $1,668 for a weekend round trip or the 1,396 mile drive with gas prices hovering around $1.50 to $1.70 per gallon.

Hotel accommodations might prove to be an equally daunting task. A fan would be hard pressed to find a room for less than $150 per night, with many requiring a minimum of nights that guests must stay. The Hampton Inn, which will receive four bus-loads of Syracuse fans Friday, encouraged using one room to house many guests.

“[Our suite] sleeps a lot of people,” said Fred Pepper, assistant manager. “You can just pile ‘em on in.”

Pepper’s suite will run one lucky group of collegiate basketball enthusiasts $249 a night with a minimum of 4 nights. He added that the current price is upped from what the hotel normally charges when there is not an event of this magnitude in town.

After making it to the bayou and plunking down your guaranteed $996 (plus tax) for a place to stay, room service might be the last thing on your mind. The New Orleans Shopping Centre at the Dome provides a cheaper mall food court alternative for those looking to cut corners. A sample of the fine cuisine includes La Rue’s Gourmet To Go, The Steak Escape, Subway and even Kimmel-throwback Sbarros, where a homesick Orangeman or Orangewoman can munch on a slice of stuffed spinach and pepperoni pizza for $4.

Basalla said he never entertained notions of coming down to Louisiana, largely because of scheduling conflicts but also his own fiscal restraints.

“I am just a college student,” he said. “I don’t have that much money.”

Asst. News Editor John Nuthall contributed to this report.

Published on April 3, 2003 at 12:00 pm