Basketball Fans Likely to Crowd Traffic Near Palace Today

Michigan State and Michigan fans will have a front row seat to the madness today.

The Palace of Auburn Hills and Oakland University are hosting the second and third rounds of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament starting today. Michigan State plays Valparaiso at 12:15 p.m.; Michigan plays South Dakota State at 7:15 p.m.

With 20,000-plus fans expected to attend the games today and Saturday, event organizers issued warnings about traffic in the area. "Plan ahead, arrive early and use alternative routes to the arena," they suggested in a press release.

Here's what you should know before you go:

• Fans traveling from nearby cities are asked to use the Joslyn Road or Lapeer Road exits.
• If you're traveling from Rochester or Rochester Hills to Lapeer Road, know that both the North Drive and South Drive entrances to the Palace will be open. 
• Parking is $10 per car; you'll have to pay twice if you leave the grounds between games. 
• For live updates, follow @ThePalace on Twitter with the hashtag #MarchMadness or at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Facebook.
• Need tickets? Go to www.ncaa.com/mbbtickets, or call 800.745.3000.

Read more about OU's role in hosting the tournament here.