College basketball fans were up in arms on Saturday night after The Chainsmokers performed between games at the men’s Final Four of March Madness.
Dave Portnoy and ESPN star Scott Van Pelt were among those to slam the decision to allow the electronic duo perform at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The Chainsmokers took to the stage in the gap between UConn’s victory over Illinois and Michigan’s clash with Arizona.
It meant the second game of the night did not start until nearly 9.30pm ET and the show did not go down with fans, including some in the arena.
‘This Chainsmokers concert in between games is playing off like somebody lost a bet,’ said Barstool Sports boss Portnoy, who was in Indianapolis to see his beloved Michigan. ‘I like the Chainsmokers but nothing has ever made less sense than this.’
SportsCenter anchor Van Pelt echoed those sentiments by writing on social media: ‘Who asked for this?’
The Chainsmokers performed between games at the Final Four in Indianapolis on Saturday
In the first game of the night, UConn beat Illinois to reach the national championship game
Arizona took on Michigan in a clash of No 1 seeds in the second game on Saturday night
‘Whoever thought having a Chainsmokers concert in between Final Four games was a good idea needs to be fired,’ another fan added.
‘Big miss on the NCAA’s part,’ one said. ‘If you wanna do a concert, do it pregame or perhaps between games outside, but don’t interrupt the natural flow from one game to the next.’
In the first game of the night, Dan Hurley’s Huskies muscled their way back to the national title game with a 71-62 win over Illinois. UConn is looking for a third championship in four seasons.
Tarris Reed Jr. had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while freshman Braylon Mullins scored 15 for the Huskies (34-5). It was UConn’s’ 19th straight victory in the Sweet 16 or later rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
‘I’ve got the best staff in the country. I’ve got an incredible group of players. And there’s nothing like the bus ride to the stadium on Monday night when you’re one of the last two teams standing,’ Hurley said.
‘We’re so ready for the national championship game,’ Mullins added. ‘This is what I came here for. Let’s get it on Monday.’
