I have fond memories of the tourneys from 1999-2003 or whenever the last year was, then moved to Dallas for a couple of years I think. Speaking of the northern fanbases, my only experience with the ISU/KSU/KU fans were at the FEC and football games. So never ran into large groups other than KU fans when they were in town. I remember the 2000? tourney specifically. I was shocked how many ISU fans showed up for it, just PACKED with them. Their tourney games seemed like home games for them. Even ran into and partied with some hot ISU coeds that were huge bball fans. (that may have affected my drunken view but still fun). Was a little surprised, was expecting all large, corn fed womenz from those fanbases. It was also the first time I'd seen hardcore tailgating for 1) basketball and 2) in balls cold ice/snow. I think it was the year you had fucking Fizer and Tinsely. Fuck those guys too.
Not too worried about areas that would have a lot of north fans, never really had any trouble with those group of schools. KU fans will always be mostly pricks but wouldn't blink hanging at an ISU or other school bar/area. Granted, all those schools hate UT a lot more than they did 20 years ago so who knows.