Tournament Action Begins Tomorrow!

Ladies and Gentlemen I am proud to announce that my very favorite time of year is nearly upon us: NCAA basketball post-season play. Some people consider Selection Sunday (that would be this coming Sunday, March 16th) as the official "beginning" of the 3-week-long hoopla known as March Madness, but I'm honestly about as fired up as you can be about the SEC Tournament in Atlanta. I talked earlier this week about Vanderbilt's looming match up with the Auburn Tigers, but neglected to mention that this game holds special significance in the Ryan household as my younger brother will be attending Auburn University next fall. (yeah, I know. Ick.) While Auburn gave Vandy some trouble earlier this season, I think the 'Dores will be focused and ready to play in that game, and should handle the Tigers. (Notice I say should. If we come out flat like we did against Alabama, all bets are off)

I've been watching some Mid-Major tournament action this week in an attempt to scout out possible competition during tournament time, and also because I like watching basketball more than most anything else right now. I was really pulling for The Tribe of William and Mary (America's second oldest college) to upset George Mason in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament final and make their first NCAA tournament appearance. Alas, the Patriots of GM emerged victorious to the tune of 68-59. You might remember George Mason making the Final Four a couple years ago. Yeah, this year's team doesn't look anything like that one, so don't pencil them in for a trip to San Antonio just yet.

I also followed the meteoric rise and fall of the Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Blue Raiders as they swept through the Sun Belt Conference before finally succumbing to the Big Red Baby-Stealing Blobs of Western Kentucky 67-57. This win was particularly significant as Western, who's had a phenomenal season, secured the Sunbelt's automatic bid, freeing up an at large bid for Maryland (who I'm picking to win the ACC Tournament, Fear the Turtle!).

It also pleases me to report that the Nick Calathes Fun-Time Party Bunch featuring Former Orlando Magic Coach Billy Donovan will in all likelihood be competing for an NIT title. Maybe that'll free up some time for Mr. Calathes and Mr. Donovan to compare and contrast the various hair gels, pomades, cremes, and texturizers they utilize in their pregame rituals.



And I'm off like Sweaty Bruce's Orange Jacket at Memorial

Go 'Dores!