The US Cellular Center will host a Big South-Southern conference men's basketball showcase in December. UNC Asheville takes on Western Carolina, and High Point plays Wofford in the inaugural Mountain Invitational, Sunday December 17th. Demp Bradford of the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission says to expect a different economic impact than the city sees each March during the SoCon tournament. He says rather than just coming into town for the games, fans can plan to come early, enjoy the sites and then end their weekend with the games.
UNC Asheville Athletics Director Janet Cone, who is also a member of the NCAA men's tournament selection committee, says these games could ultimately help improve seeding for any of these teams come March. She says the committee is now giving more weight to neutral site "road" wins.
Tickets for the Mountain Invitational are on sale now. Prices range from $33 for courtside seats to FREE for kids 8 and under.