INDIANAPOLIS -- Butler University's basketball team is a mid-major powerhouse, boasting four straight NCAA Tournament bids and seven within a decade, but Bulldog faithful have a long journey ahead should they decide to watch the opening round game(s) in person.

Not many students plan on going and plenty of tickets are available for Butler's NCAA foray to the West Regional in San Jose, Calif., where they will face UTEP, 6News' Derrik Thomas reported.

Special Section: NCAA Tournament

Senior Lauren Ebersole said that like most other students, she can't afford to fly to California for the game.

"I would definitely like to go if they were playing somewhere closer," she said.

Junior David Aikin expects the team will have the strength and determination to win, but laments that he can't be there.

"I'd love to go out to California and watch them play, but ideally, I think I need to be at school and study," he said. "I'll be watching them on TV, that's for sure."

As the ticket window opened on campus Monday morning, there was no line and no waiting. Carolyn Mears, 74, walked up to five minutes after it opened.

"I can't believe this. Where are all the people?" she said.

Mears said she is ready and willing, despite the cost.

"The plane fare was $745. The tickets were $83, is what they said," Mears said. "I don't know what the hotel is."

A few others were in line later in the morning to score some of the school's allocation of 350 tickets.

"We can get more if we need them," said Matt Harris, Butler's manager of fan development and tickets. "If we get close to that allotment, we've already been in contact with the folks in San Jose who handle tickets."

As Mary Jane Braun scored her tickets, she sent a message to the team.

"Go dogs! We can do it," she said. "They've got to bring their 'A' game.'"

The team will leave for California at about noon on Tuesday.