Duke, I thought you were all fired up?? You didn't let the fact that I couldn't agree with the "U-Rah-Rah Duke" sentiment bother you, did you? Duke won't be at home during the tourney. They have played 10 road games this season in which they had a record of 5-5. Not intimidating. They also played UCONN, Gonzaga and Iowa State on neutral courts (UCONN and Gonz in Mad Sq Garden and ISU in Chicago's United Center) and won all three. So no matter how you look at it, away from their 'friendly confines' they are 8-5. In the state of Wisconsin they are 0-1, so I would think they are praying for Providence right now.

Good heavens, would our resident Duke fan explain what happened to UNC this year? I dislike Roy Williams with a 'Badger Passion' and am thrilled to see him have a season like this. This season was accomplished with a squad full of the highest rated HS recruits imaginable. The last coach at UNC that had a season like this got fired. 16-16 will get them into the NIT. Roy Boy has already stated that the team voted to go to whichever tourney they get an invite to.

Chris Allen has been suspended at Mich St. Why? I haven't heard. They simply said he let the team down and broke team rules. Who knows how long this will last.

Marquette, a Milwaukee school, is surprising the hell out of everyone around here. They Beat St Johns yesterday, Villanova today. Now, Villanova, with that loss has gone 4-6 in their last 10 games. Hardly deserving of the seeding most prognosticators are predicting. As for Marquette, I hate 'em. However, with all due respect, no one thought they would make the NCAA tourney or the Semi's of the Big (L)East. Georgetown beat Syracuse, thus possibly destroying their #1 seed. If they still get a #1 they may not get the home seeding in Buffalo.

Notre Dame wins. Cincy beats Louisville.

Texas is impossible to understand. They were 17-0 and ranked #1. Then the 'ol proverbial 'roof caved in'. They lost their first game after being ranked #1. The went 7-9 after the #1 ranking and fell out of the rankings completely despite winning 24 games. Those 24 wins will get them into the NCAA but will probably make them an 8th or 9th seed.

How about the Pac10. California gets the highest national ranking at about 31. Only three teams won 20+games and neither UCLA nor Arizona were amongst the three. Arizona is 16-15, which should get them into the NIT with Roy Williams! UCLA was worse at 8-10 in the conference and 14-17 overall. Will that even get them into the NIT? I believe Arizona was high on the list of schools with consecutive trips to the NCAA. I think you may officially consider it at an end.

Some great basketball. I absolutely love this time of the year. The next two weekends are just as great. I just wish I weren't at work while all this is going on!

Also, allow me to offer up a SALUTE!!!. Not meant to be a back-handed compliment, but the Northwestern University Mildcats won tonight over Indiana in the Big 10 Tourney. That unusual fete gives the Mildcats their first 20 win season in school history. Congrats. For that distinction they will see the NIT this year. But let me warn you about next year. That will be a team that WILL get their first ever NCAA bid next year. I just know it.

Duke? Lets see if your boys meet either the Badgers or Marquette in the NCAAs. There really are no true powers in the nation this year. Kansas and Kentucky are as close as you get, IMO.

Enjoy the next three weeks. It's some of the greatest sports in America.