Washington ( CNN ) -- President Barack Obama gave a nod to America 's heartland Tuesday , saying in an interview conducted during halftime of an NCAA basketball game in Ohio he wanted to show his British counterpart , David Cameron , a part of America rarely seen by foreign visitors . `` I thought it was going to be wonderful for the prime minister to have a chance not only to see a basketball game for first time , but also to come to the great state of Ohio , because sometimes when we have foreign visitors , they only see the coasts , they go to New York , they go to Washington , they go to Los Angeles , but you know the heartland is what it 's all about , '' Obama said . Obama 's hat tip to Ohio , and his choice of venue , may not be pure coincidence -- Ohio is historically a key swing state in presidential elections . Cameron and Obama flew together on Air Force One to Dayton , Ohio , to take in an opening game of the NCAA basketball tournament . Obama , well-known as a basketball fan , was treating Cameron to a little March Madness , and the pair conducted the joint television interview at halftime of the game between Western Kentucky and Mississippi Valley State . Asked how he thought the teams were playing , Obama replied candidly . `` Both teams are shooting terribly , '' Obama said . `` It may be nerves . These are not teams that normally end up coming to the tournament . '' Cameron , asked how he was enjoying watching his first basketball game , said he was `` enjoying it , '' and that Obama was explaining the ins-and-outs of the American sport . `` He was giving me some tips , '' Cameron said . `` He 's going to help me fill out my bracket . '' Cameron 's trip to the United States is intended to demonstrate that ties between the countries remain as close as ever . The White House labeled Cameron 's visit -- which started Tuesday and will include meetings with President Barack Obama followed by lunch and dinner at the White House on Wednesday -- an official one , not a state one . That 's because the label of state visit is reserved for heads of state , and Cameron is the head of government . Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state . However , the White House statement said Cameron would attend a state dinner Wednesday night , the sixth of the Obama administration so far . `` The fact that we are hosting the prime minister in the manner that we are demonstrates the nature of the relationship between our two countries ; the fact that it is a special relationship , '' White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters Tuesday . On Wednesday , Cameron and Obama will hold talks at the White House and address a joint news conference , followed by lunch and , later , the White House dinner with full diplomatic trappings and toasts . Cameron and his wife , Samantha , will leave Washington on Thursday . `` The visit will highlight the fundamental importance of the U.S.-U.K. special relationship and the depth of the friendship between the American people and the people of the United Kingdom , as well as the strong personal bond that has developed between the two leaders and their families , '' a White House statement said . Topics expected to come up at Wednesday 's meetings include the coming NATO and G-8 summits , as well as Afghanistan , the Middle East , Iran and the global economy , according to the White House . In a joint op-ed published Tuesday in The Washington Post , Obama and Cameron emphasized the global benefits of the strong alliance between their nations . `` The alliance between the United States and Great Britain is a partnership of the heart , bound by the history , traditions and values we share , '' the two leaders wrote . `` But what makes our relationship special -- a unique and essential asset -- is that we join hands across so many endeavors . Put simply , we count on each other and the world counts on our alliance . '' Troops and citizens of the two countries `` have long shown what can be achieved when British and Americans work together , heart and hand , and why this remains an essential relationship -- to our nations and the world , '' the commentary by Obama and Cameron said . CNN 's Stacia Deshishku and Lateef Mungin contributed to this report .
NEW : Prime minister , president take in Obama basketball tourney game in Ohio . NEW : Obama is `` going to help me fill out my bracket , '' Ohio says . NCAA stresses a special relationship with Cameron . Cameron and Obama will hold talks Tuesday .