I’ve never been married, but when I find future Mrs. Maier our wedding will take place inside the Denny Sanford Premier Center, under one condition.

It’ll have to take place over the Summit League Tournament.

If you’ve never stepped foot inside the Denny Sanford Premier Center, well, I’m sorry. It’s gorgeous, like ladies in sundresses on a nice summer day.

I see pinstripes. Can’t tell if its Cruella Deville’s hair or the referees attire. I am at the Summit League Tournament in Sioux Falls, S.D., so yes, you guessed it, it’s most likely a zebra.

Goodness, all I see is the University of South Dakota colors and South Dakota State colors. I feel nauseous. Actually, that’s probably because I’m so close to the court.

I’m sitting on press row at the Denny, it’s so wonderful. My view is tremendous. I could reach over the table and touch the three-point line. I’m so close I can hear the student-athletes talking to each other on the court.

“Watch the spin move” or “Come on man, that’s a terrible call.”

The wood court is shiny. The main court is a lighter wood color and the out of bounds area is a lot darker color. Press row is where all the important people hang out, like myself and ESPN and the other local news stations. Across from press row are the teams benches and the scorers table.

“You suck,” a loud voice comes from behind me.

Hopefully they aren’t talking about me.

They weren’t. Some jerk was yapping at the referees because Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne was getting worked over by South Dakota State in the second women’s game Saturday.

The Jackrabbits went on to win 80-60.

The fans are the best part about March Madness. I’ve been watching men’s and women’s basketball all day since noon Saturday, and I’ve heard some great fan heckling.

“What did you call there?” a USD student yelled at the baseline referee.

“Look at #45, she’s been in the lane all day,” a SDSU band member shouted.

“How’s the floor taste,” another male grunts from the student section.

I’ve been hearing random fan’s voices, buzzers, squeaky shoes, whistles and band music in my dreams the last few days. And I don’t mind it because that’s what March Madness is about.

The band’s are also another reason college sports are much better than professional sports. All the students dressed up in funny clothing. The IPFW band dressed up in cowboy hats and wizard hats with blue and white painted on their faces. The bands even played some hip stuff and it just makes the Summit League Tournament experience that much better.

Its not just the fans and band members that like to yell, scream and cheer on their university. The band directors like to get in on the fun but one in particular. Marcus Farr, director of IPFW’s pep band enjoys chirping at the referees in between the silence of his band.

“Call a travel out there,” Farr kept saying during the IPFW vs. USD men’s game Saturday night.

The smell of popcorn, fans walking around with beer and hot dogs, the cheers and the boos, basketball on display all day long; the Denny Sanford Premier Center puts on quite a show.

“Sioux Falls does an absolutely phenomenal job, packed arena, great facility,” IPFW men’s head coach Jon Coffman said. “I’ve been doing this 19 years and its the best mid-major conference tournament I’ve ever been apart of.”