As the college basketball fans prepare for the beginning of March Madness, here are four things to know about the First Four:
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-ONLY 1 HOST: The University of Dayton Arena has hosted the games since the First Four started in 2011. Prior to that, UD hosted a "play-in" game. UD has the contract through 2022.
-ECONOMIC IMPACT: Local officials put the event's economic impact at a little more than $4 million each year. Since 2001, it is estimated to have an economic benefit of nearly $80 million for the region.
-FREE ADMISSION TO PRACTICE: Fans get in free to practices. The schedule is as follows: today, LIU Brooklyn (5:05-5:45 p.m.); Radford (5:50-6:30 p.m.); St. Bonaventure (6:35-7:15 p.m.); and UCLA (7:20-8 p.m.). On Tuesday, Texas Southern (12:05-12:45 p.m.); North Carolina Central (12:50-1:30 p.m.); Syracuse (1:35-2:15 p.m.); and Arizona State (2:20-3 p.m.).
RELATED: March Madness begins at UD Arena in Dayton
-CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE: Two teams in this year's First Four have won national men's basketball titles. UCLA has 11, winning in 1964-65, 1967-73 and 1975. Syracuse won in 2003.
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