ASun Tourn. Boosts Local Economy

Excitement surrounds the beginning of the ASun Tournament. The four day event brings great economic value to Macon. With sold out crowds at the UniversityCenter and filled hotels, the winning doesn’t stop on the court it goes all the way to the bank.

Basketball fans from around the southeast will file through Macon this weekend to see if their team can win the A-Sun tournament and earn a bid to the NCAA tournament. No matter the seed every team has a chance.

“Certainly now everybody comes in 0 and 0 and they’re looking for a three game win streak to go on the NCAA’s,” said ASun Commissioner, Ted Gumhart.

The opportunity for a Cinderella comeback brings a distinct excitement that makes college basketball special. The men’s and women’s ASun tournament hosts a total of 16 teams and that translates to a lot of people traveling through Macon and spending money.

“We’ve been sold out tonight, tomorrow, the next day which has been great for us along with the teams but there are fans that come from all the different teams that are coming to the city,” said Matt Barlett, the general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn near Mercer.