Final Four Party Guide

The Final Four has been decided, with semifinal games set for Saturday night. If you're a serious college basketball fan who likes to take in the Final Four at home with a few friends, we'll assume you've got the basics covered, including the big-screen TV, the beer, and the potato chips. But if you want to take your party to the next level, we've collected a few items that will make this year's Final Four party one for the record books.

Portable Basketball Grill

 

 

To get the game-day experience right, you're going to want to start out with the home version of the tailgate party, and nothing preps the fan for a game like barbecue. Nothing could be more appropriate than this 21" Portable Basketball Grill, which is small enough to bring out during basketball season and hide for the rest of the year.

 

 

 

Basketball Slow Cooker

 

 

You're going to want something to complement whatever you're cooking on the grill, and this Basketball Slow Cooker has you covered. This 1.5-quart cooker has multiple settings for both cooking and warming, it's easy to clean when you're finished, and it comes with a lid the completes the facade of slightly deflated basketball.

 

 

 

Kitchen & Bathroom LCD TVs

 

 

Throwing the Final Four party is all about the game and the TV on which you watch it. Clever as this 15" LCD Basketball TV is, a 15" set is probably not going to cut it in the screening room. But considering that, as a good host, you'll be spending some time in the kitchen, this set is ideal as a second game-tuned TV. And just so no one taking a bathroom break misses a second of the action, Hannspree also makes a 10" version.

 

 

 

Basketball Pilsner Glass

 

 

Not everyone enjoys the simple pleasure of drinking cheap bear out of can. If you want to entertain during the Final Four like a first-round draft choice, go with this Classic Pilsner Glass. It's a good looking, standard pilsner glass--except for the tastefully engraved basketball just above the base. Basketball has never been so classy.

 

Basketball Cooler

 

 

While, as noted above, some of us don't enjoy drinking beer out of a can--even while watching a game--the rest of us love it. Which is exactly what this Basketball Cooler was made for. The 30" inflatable basketball features a hollowed-out center big enough for ice and a couple of six packs. When the season ends, it deflates and stores compactly.

 

 

 

Basketball Serving Bowl

 

 

Here's the ultimate basketball-themed serving bowl. As unpretentious as sitting in front of a TV and watching the game, this clever design is the perfect accompaniment to whatever snacks you serve.

 

 

 

Basketball Lamp

 

 

There may only be a couple times a year that call for bringing out this Ceramic Basketball Lamp, but the NCAA Final Four is definitely one of them. Simple and effective, this lamp does what it does.

 

 

 

Basketball Cufflinks

 

 

These Basketball Cufflinks will take your party to places that most dudes don't really want to go to. But if you're throwing the type of party that relies heavily on those Pilsner Glasses mentioned above, these tasteful cufflinks may just complete the mood you're trying to set.

[Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated]

By: cory o'malley