Seriously though, this year has to suck for those businesses nearby. ISU and KSU (and too a lesser extent OSU) rounding out the bottom of the league means there will be little to no traffic. Plenty of KU fans but theyre a lot more likely to come in, watch the game, and leave, without spending money in the area at restaurants, hotels, etc..
Decent chance the semifinals are WVU-Baylor and KU-Tech. There might be dozens of fans there from the non-KU teams.
It is a huge blow. Iowa State is really the only fan base that brings numbers and fills hotel rooms. Sure, K-State and Kansas have a lot of fans that attend but they aren't spending time in the establishments and hotels. Downtown bar and restaurant owners hate it when Iowa State makes an early exit.