PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — NCAA March Madness will tip-off at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence Thursday at 12:40 p.m. High Point is taking on Purdue to start the NCAA March Madness tournament in Providence Thursday, followed by McNeese State and Clemson at 3:15 p.m. Thursday night Kansas and Arkansas will face off at 7:10 p.m. and the late night tip-off will feature Saint John’s against Omaha at 9:45 p.m. The Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau said 4,600 hotel rooms have been booked in the Providence/Warwick area, with a nearly $4 million economic impact for the city. “To see Providence, RI nationally televised, it really has a sense of community pride,” said Jonathan Walker, Senior Director of Sports Sales of the Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau. “So even if you aren’t here at the AMP experiencing the game, you’re watching it on TV, you’re filling out brackets in the office, it’s a really cool experience to have it here in your community.” Meanwhile fans are taking in all that Providence has to offer ahead of the games. “We’re looking forward to walking around, I have experienced it before, and I know they block off some streets for block parties,” said Brian Miller of New York. “We’re looking for more orange to see if we can find more Clemson fans before the games start, really anxious to watch these games today, excited about it.” Fans are energized for these matchups, and ABC6 Sports Director Nick Coit and Sports Reporter Ian Steele will bring live coverage from Cleveland Thursday as Bryant will face Michigan State Friday night. Categories: College Sports, News, Providence, Rhode Island ...read more read less