Northern Colorado advances to NCAA tournament

That was quite a coup for the Bears, especially with their raucous fans cramming into tiny Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion, which holds around 3,000 spectators.

The team finished 15-0 at Butler-Hancock this season, the third time it has gone undefeated at home in its 107-year history.

Northern Colorado alum and Colorado Rockies team owner Dick Monfort was in attendance, sitting courtside directly across from the Bears' bench.

A longtime supporter, Monfort was quite animated, jumping out of his seat several times to protest calls.

"I wouldn't have missed this game for anything," Monfort said.

With only 480 seats in the student section, and available only on a first-come basis, eager fans camped out in front of the arena, setting up tents to take shelter from the windy weather.

Four hours before tip, the line was so long it snaked around the side of the building.