NCAA Tourney games tip Friday as March Madness hits Queen City

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — March Madness excitement is in the Queen City.

Teams and fans started flooding into uptown Charlotte ahead of the first and second round games that will kick off Friday at noon at the Spectrum Center.

On Thursday, teams took to the court for their first practices.

The UNC Tar Heels received the number two seed in the west region, which essentially gave the team a home-field advantage in Charlotte. There was a good crowd at the Spectrum Center as the Tar Heels watched the team practice.

Kevin Marsh and his family made a four-hour drive from Tennessee Friday morning.

Marsh has been a lifelong Carolina fan who loves an opportunity to see the Tar Heels play in the Queen City.

"We love it, just for the simple fact, because you have so many fans from different (areas) that support different programs, but everybody just gets along. You know, it's just a great day," Marsh said.

Hough High School product and Tar Heel standout Luke May told Channel 9 it feels great to be back in Charlotte. He said he went home Wednesday night and got some of his mom's home cooking.

The Tar Heels will take on the Lipscomb Bisons at 2:45 p.m. Friday.

The UNC game is an exciting family affair for Daniel Allen.

"Yeah it is," he said. “I mean, it's just a good day with the family. Something to bring us all together. We try to watch them whenever they're close."

Allen's daughter, a young Tar Heel fan, is five months old. She’s not old enough to cheer but mom was showing her how it's done

"Go Heels!" the mother said.

Jeff Fuller, a Carolina alum, has lived in Charlotte for 13 years but this is the first time he's had a chance to catch Carolina locally in the Big Dance.

"I'm so excited I forgot to wear my UNC shirt because I wanted to get down here so quick," Fuller said.

Former North Mecklenburg High School star Davion Mintz and his mother Sandy Mintz are hoping his stay in the tournament is longer than his first one a year ago when Creighton University was upset by the University of Rhode Island.

The Blue Jays are slight favorites against Kansas State Friday.

“To be able to come home and play in front of his family and friends, I never thought they'd get the opportunity to play on the college live,” Sandy Mintz said.

NCAA games bring in big money for Charlotte

Fans from out-of-state have already started making their way into the Queen City, which will have a big impact on the economy.

"We're going to eat, of course, shopping, lot of shopping and looking around," said Dave Holbrook, of Columbus, Ohio.

He and his wife Barb got into Charlotte Thursday and plan to spend the weekend. They are just two of thousands who will pump money into the local economy.

"I think Charlotte has really turned the corner and become a full-fledged sports town," said Will Webb, with the Charlotte Sports Foundation.

Webb said that sports is helping the city grow and sustains the economy, which is good for everyone.

"It improves the quality of life because the more sports we have, the more bars, the more restaurants, the more things we have going on," Webb said.

One of the newest restaurants in town is right next to the Spectrum Center, where the games are being played.

"We're really excited for the tournament coming right across the street, we're expecting some big crowds," said Daniel Ruark, who runs World Of Beer.

The restaurant and bar opened on Monday, so this will be the first weekend they are open for business. They want to make sure they are ready.

"We have plenty of food, we're expecting people before and after the game, just want to be ready," Ruark said.

Tournament games will wrap up in Charlotte on Sunday.

Cox Media Group