Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - "I think the entire state of Michigan is going to be coming to Buffalo this week."
No. 1 seed Michigan, as well as Michigan State are the headliners for the NCAA regional tournament that gets underway at KeyBank Center on Thursday. Second round games will be played on Saturday.
"People will probably start arriving on Wednesday. Eight teams will play on Thursday, four teams will end up going home, but four others will stay for the
Saturday games. And there will be another influx of fans for the weekend," said Pat Kaler, president and CEO of Visit Buffalo with WBEN Monday.
Kaler says he heard Sunday night that there were a little over 3,000 tickets left for the weekend's action.
"But with Michigan and Michigan State coming, I'm sure all of those tickets are going to be swept up pretty quickly," he added.
Over 60 volunteers are getting ready to hit the streets this week and help fans with restaurant options in-between games, and anything else they need while they're here.
"We are in NCAA mode right now," added Kaler.
They are also preparing for the open day on Friday when there are no games being played.
"There are going to be 19,000 fans out in our community going to restaurants, bars and our attractions," Kaler said.
The weather this week might be disappointing, but Kaler says Michigan fans, and those from North Dakota State and St Louis are dealing with the same weather back home.