INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis is rolling out the welcome mat for NCAA basketball Final Four visitors later this week.

It's the first time since 1980 that none of the No. 1 seeds made it to the Final Four. Instead, there are unexpected names, such as cinderella team George Mason and LSU. Florida and UCLA also made it to college basketball's last weekend.

The Final Four attracts die-hard hoops fans, regardless of team affiliation. State and city officials said basketball tradition rich Indianapolis is a perfect location for the drama of March Madness, 6News' Derrik Thomas reported.

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Video: Final Four Preps
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The city officially welcomed the tournament's final stop in Indianapolis Monday at the NCAA Hall of Champions. About 80,000 visitors are expected in Indianapolis for the Final Four, providing an economic boost of up to $50 million.

"As a fan of underdogs and breakthroughs, I love all four of these teams being here and can't wait for the games to start," said Gov. Mitch Daniels. "It matched up not only with great economic and social opportunity, but it matched up with the values and passions of Hoosiers. Nobody loves basketball or knows it as well ... as folks in this state. Even our convicts love basketball. They've been out cleaning the highways."

The amount of money the city generates is just one reason Indianapolis officials are so excited to have the Final Four in Indianapolis.

"This is a time when the eyes of the world are going to be on our city," said Deputy Mayor Steve Campbell. "We're going to step up to the plate again, like we have in every other year."

Teams are expected to begin arriving on Wednesday. About 1,500 volunteers have been put into service to make sure things run smoothly.

Practice Sessions Set

People who don't have tickets to the games still have an opportunity to see the teams in action.

The teams will conduct practices at the RCA Dome on Friday that are free and open to the public.

George Mason will be the first to take the floor. They'll conduct practice between 12 p.m. and 12:50 p.m.

LSU takes the court from 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. Florida practices from 2:10 p.m. to 3 p.m. UCLA wraps up the practice sessions from 3:10 p.m. to 4 p.m.

City Preps For Big Final Four Concert

A big concert is planned for Sunday on Monument Circle. The south end of the circle has already been blocked so workers can prepare the stage for the concert that starts at 2 p.m. and lasts until 9 p.m.

The concert features numerous performers, including headliners Carrie Underwood and Indiana's own John Mellencamp.

For more Final Four-related events, the Indiana Sports Corp.'s Web site.