Regarding the apparent difference between Wisconsin fans and Minnesota's (and others?): A factor that should not be overlooked is alcohol. Badger fans (myself included) are notorious for alcohol consumption. The Minnesota fans' and press' nickname for Wisconsin fans is 'beer-swilling cheeseheads'. A Badger fan sees games in other cities as a chance to check out new bars. When I was in Albany in '92, a bar next to the Knick was filled with Badgers. The owner said she was at first upset that the NC$$ tournament was taking the place of a Grateful Dead concert. But when she heard that Wisconsin made the tournament, she got over it. I met fans that flew in from Denver for the final game, had a few beers and didn't remember much of the game. In Minneapolis, Badger fans take over Stub 'N' Herbs and sometimes the Big Ten Pub. The owners don't seem to mind due to the amount of money being spent. In St. Paul, it's McSomething's (near the Civi c Center). When the Badger basketball team made the NC$$ tournament, people were excited and ready to go to the games. When it was discovered that the games were in Ogden, Utah and that the city is dry, many people decided to stay home. When Un iversity officials decided to crack down on the smuggling of alcohol into the football stadium, attendance dropped greatly. The happened to be very bad, but this was nothing new. Not until the team started winning did the fans return in droves. I remember meeting a SuperFan in an Albany bar. The topic of how to become a member came up. He said you have to really like college hockey and be able to drink. I said we are from Wisconsin. He said that qualifies. I'm not boasting or condemning. Wisconsin fans just have a reputation as people willing to spend money on alcohol. Give a Wisconsin fan a chance, and they'll spend their money on alcohol. It's part of the culture. Lot's of Germans and Irish. This is not a flame. Bob Mayville Madison, WI