PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — In the shadow of CONSOL Energy Center sits a pizza place called Milano and they love college basketball.

“I think it’s such a blessing,” Deborah Becker said. “We need the money in our city, and I think it generates good business for our community and I just love it. I’m very excited about it myself.”

Millions of people will watch these games on television. Thousands will be inside the building to watch. Pittsburgh is getting a chance to show this is not just a hotbed for hockey. This is a hometown that loves hoops.

“We are getting a lot of request for private parties in the restaurant, places where the whole fan base can come together and walk right across the street to see the games,” Tom Murtha, with the Marriott City Center, said.

And it won’t be hard to get an opinion on where you have to go in town.

“I’m definitely thinking if they want a good sandwich go to Fatheads in the South Side,” Nicole Carfang, of Murrysville, said. “There’s so much to do around here though – there’s all kinds of museums and stuff, locally. The South Side is closest though. I go to Duquesne myself and it’s right there.”

“I had never been here before. I didn’t really know what to think before I came, but coming in, everything was great,” Damien Glitch, of Seattle, Wash., said. “People here at the hotel – they’re fabulous. Everyone’s been very friendly.”

While the fans look for a t-shirt or souvenir, the working media from around the country won’t have much free time.

“I’m the photographer for the university so obviously we go to the games, shoot the practices, but then we are immediately back to the hotel transmitting images and stuff back to the university,” Steve Parker with Syracuse University, said.

But for everyone else, Pittsburgh stands ready.

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