Boston Expects Big Bounce From NCAA Games

March Madness hits Boston tonight as TD Banknorth Garden hosts two Sweet Sixteen games in the men’s college basketball national championship.

The two tournament games are giving the Boston economy an estimated $7 million bounce. This year, the NCAA tried to seed tournament teams closer to home, in order to make it more affordable for traveling fans. Pat Moscaritolo of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau was thrilled with the Boston bracket.

PAT MOSCARITOLO: My wife kept saying to me, don’t you want Wisconsin to win, don’t you want UCLA to win, and I said no! At least three of the schools — Xavier, Pitt, and Villanova — it’s an easy drive!

The other is Duke, which isn’t that far away. The winners of each of tonight’s games will stay in Boston to tip off on Saturday.