The days are getting longer and the air is getting warmer, which can only mean one thing–March Madness is right around the corner! (And spring, so two things I guess.) This year’s NCAA Tournament is sure to be one of the best, as there’s no standout team which means it’s anybody’s game.

Fans across the country will be ready to purchase tickets the second they see their team’s name show up on Selection Sunday. With secondary market prices expected to be higher than usual, here are five tips on how to save money when shopping for 2017 March Madness tickets. Trust us–we’re the experts.

Tip #1: Geography is Key

Nothing may impact NCAA Tournament ticket prices more than the geographic distance of the teams playing in each location. Fans are always willing to travel to see their team, but a lot more are willing to take a road trip rather than have to get on a plane. A good storyline to keep an eye on this year is if the Kansas Jayhawks will be in the Midwest Regional, which would have them playing their Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games in Kansas City.

Tip #2: Game Location Matters

While the teams playing in each location have an impact on ticket demand, the location of the actual games will also impact how prices move. This year the East Regional in New York will almost certainly be the most in demand of the regionals because it is in such a massive city. On the other hand, cities like Memphis and Kansas City have smaller populations and will require more outside fans to make the trip in.

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Tip #3: Keep An Eye On Northwestern

There is a solid chance that on Selection Sunday the Northwestern Wildcats will hear their name called for the first time in program history. This is quite the accomplishment for a team that for years has struggled. With an extremely excited (and oftentimes wealthy) alumni base, wherever Northwestern is drawn their teams will follow. If the committee places them close to home, say in Indianapolis or Milwaukee, prices will certainly pop in those locations.

Tip #4: Wait It Out… Maybe

With the way the tournament is laid out, every round outside the First Four includes two games every weekend. This can make for some great bargains for that second round of the games, especially if upsets in the earlier round knock out the biggest traveling fan base. Very few fans want to watch the team that just defeated their team play in the next round, and so instead they will flood the market with tickets causing prices to drop. This was the case during the Final Four last year, when Championship Game tickets plunged.

Tip #5: Purchase a Full-Strip Ticket

For the truly dedicated fan, a full-strip ticket for the NCAA Tournament can be a great value, giving them access to every session at that location. Although as mentioned above, ticket prices for later sessions do often drop, so sometimes it makes sense to purchase each session individually. For either option, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled to SeatGeek to stay up-to-date on price fluctuations.

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