While basketball is obviously the main attraction of the 56th annual Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament, the festivities surrounding the big games offer plenty of fun even for those not interested in lay-ups and slam dunks. In fact, hotels, restaurants and other downtown attractions will be “ACC-ommodating” basketball fans March 12-15 with dinner specials and other offers. So whether you’re going to support your favorite college team or just looking for a free way to have some fun with other fans, here’s some important information about the tournament and the hoopla surrounding it.
1. This event has taken place in Atlanta on four other occasions. This will be the second time the Georgia Dome has hosted the tournament (it also hosted the 2001 tournament), and the tourney will return to the Dome in 2012.
2. The Georgia Dome will be configured to seat 36,000 fans for this tournament, more than any other venue at which it has taken place. For the 2001 tournament, the Dome held 41,000 fans.
3. Seeding for the tournament is based on each team’s regular season record. Those with better records get more favorable seeds, but an underdog team could conceivably win the tournament and receive the ACC’s bid for the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament. There will be a total of 11 games over six sessions concluding with the ACC Championship Game at 1 p.m. March 15.
4. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have a virtual home court advantage over the rest of the teams. Unfortunately, Tech finished the regular season at the bottom of the conference, meaning the odds are stacked against the Jackets this year.
5. On March 13, between games six and seven, 2,200 fans will participate in the University Day Dinner at the Georgia World Congress Center. Among the offerings on the menu are cucumber salad, Southern fried chicken and banana pudding.
6. The ACC Legends Brunch, held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on March 14, will honor 12 ACC legends (Danya Abrams, Randy Mahaffey, Jim Spanarkel, Ron King, Brian Oliver, Al Bunge, Bill Foster, Charles Scott, Monte Towe, Richard Morgan, John Wetzel and Frank Johnson). The idea for the Legends Brunch first came about when the tournament was in Atlanta in 2001.
7. The ACC FanFest, taking place at the Georgia World Congress Center, is an interactive event that is free for everyone. Among the attractions of this four-day event are three-point contests, free throw contests, autograph sessions, face painting, a full size basketball court, freebies from sponsors and official tournament merchandise.
8. The city and local businesses will benefit from the influx of tourists and fans. The tournament is expected to generate more than $30,000,000 in all for the city's economy.
9. The 12 participating teams will be staying at 11 official downtown hotels, as will many of the fans in town to cheer them on.
10. This year marks the first time ACC Tournament tickets have been sold to the public since 1966.
Info
What: The ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament
When: Noon, 2 p.m., 7p.m. and 9 p.m. March 12-13; Semifinals at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. March 14; ACC Championship Game at 1 p.m. March 15
Where: Georgia Dome, 1 Georgia Dome Dr., Atlanta, GA 30313-1591
Cost: $363 for all 11 games.
Call 404-249-6400 or visit www.theacc.com.
What: ACC FanFest
When: 5 p.m.-7 p.m. March 12; 10 a.m.-noon and 5 p.m.-7 p.m. March 13; 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 14; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. March 15
Where: Georgia World Congress Center, Hall C, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd.
Cost: Free
What: University Day Dinner
When: Following game six on March 13 (approximately 4 p.m.)
Where: Georgia World Congress Center
Cost: $40
What: ACC Legends Brunch
When: 10 a.m. March 14
Where: Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Marquis Ballroom, 265 Peachtree Center Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303
Cost: $40
Call 404-586-8460 for tickets
