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Wildcats headed North

Looks like Davidson will be heading to Richmond to take on the Rams of Virginia Commonwealth on Wednesday evening.

I think a first-round home game would have been tough for Davidson to accomplish administratively. I also am pretty sure that the NIT wants a good guaranteed gate from each school or at least good attendance. Based on what Davidson usually does mid week I think it would have been tough to do well. I was definitely surprised that we didn't get clemson/south carolina/virginia tech in the first round, but maybe we'll have them down the road.

VCU is a tough squad. They almost knocked off Wake Forest last year and played tough down the strech in the CAA. The Rams play in a great on-campus facility that will be a definite home court advantage. The have played against 3 tournament teams and are 1-3 on the season with losses to Wake Forest and UAB and a season split with Old Dominion in league action.

Don't know if it will make TV or not. My guess is no since the play-in game will be that night, but I do know that most of VCU's home games have been broadcast over the internet and I think it's free.

Just waiting on the rest of the NIT announcements.

update: the nit brackets are posted here.

the winner of the Davidson/VCU tilt would face the winner of Rice & SW Missouri State and could eventually play Maryland in the following round.

NCAA Pairings

Well, a good run by Western Carolina and not surprisingly they get a No. 16 seed in the tournament. Obviously you can't expect much out of it, but it will be interesting to see how well they play against the Lady Vols. Always interesting how the NCAA makes interesting pairings with Kelly Harper heading back to play her alma mater.

Hopefully the women from UTC will make the WNIT field along with the Davidson men.

Chattanoog gets a tough matchup with Wake Forest. They won't have the home court advantage of the Roundhouse to bolster them and Wake should have been seeded higher and would have been had it not been for the punch from Chris Paul that knocked them out of the ACC quarters.

Should be a fun few days. I'll be at the Charlotte games this week and soak up more of the madness.

NCAA Tourney

Well, I guess congrats are in order for both the Western Carolina women and the Chattanooga men.

Jennifer Gardner's 45 points in the double overtime championship game just blew me away. I knew she and her teammates weren't playing a lot of minutes, but their ability to play so long and well in game four was impressive. I suspect they will end up in either Knoxville or Chapel Hill for the first round brackets probably as a 14 or 15 seed.

I didn't see the men's game since I was covering the Bobcats, but I'll bet that we'll see the Mocs end up in Nashville for their first round appearance as probably a 14 seed against Kentucky.

I'll provide some more coverage during the NCAA tournament as well as any info we gather about Davidson and the UTC women concerning their runs in the NIT.

Until then, enjoy your Tuesday madness.

final thoughts

definitely disappointment at the moment. i really thought that although it would be tough to win the tournament that when they took a 48-40 lead that things would go well for them. i just hope they realize how special a season they had. hopefully there will be a post-season for these guys becuase they deserve it.

i think chattanooga will end up winning both tonight and tomorrow as well mostly on the strength of playing on their homecourt. if they do win, they would be the first socon team to win on their home court since at least 1954 -- as that was the last time the tourney was played on the home court of a member institution -- when West Virginia hosted. the last time a "local" team won the tournament was in 1977 when VMI captured the crown in Roanoke, VA.

well, i'm out of here. there will be an update both later tonight and in the morning before i head back to the Queen City.

tough day at the roundhouse

both wildcats suffer a loss tonight. first the women with their 59-58 loss and now the men with a 73-68 loss.

the wildcats were perfect in league play going 16-0, but fall to their rivals up the road.

davidson established the paint early in the second half, but were unable to continue that in the last 10 minutes and saw their lead and the game slip away.

definitely a tough loss as this was a senior laden squad that mckillop had expected big things from. 21-8 is the record at the moment for davidson and i don't expect them to get a dance card to the senior prom. looks like the team will be heading to the NIT, hopefully.

ironically, it's the same score that davidson lost to uncg four years ago in the socon semis.

next up here at the roundhouse, appalachian vs. chattanooga.

next up for the blogger: Buffalo Wild Wingsm, again. then back home to Charlotte in the AM to cover the Bobcats game vs. Washington tomorrow night.

second half part v

three-point play by uncg and a basket from ian johnson makes it a two-point game with just under two to play. a huge basket from winters ties it at 66. an even bigger three from uncg puts them back in the driver's seat, 69-66.

mckillop misses back-to-back threes, but kosmalski is fouled on a putback and goes to the line for two with 54.4 to play.

first one is good. 69-67. second is also good, 69-68. need a big stop from the wildcats on defense.

greensboro makes a driving layup to go up by three.

airball three for davidson. not looking good for the wildcats at the moment.

second half part iv

davidson down by two as we hit the seven-minute mark, but takes the lead on a winters three. he's got 17 for the game.

davidson crowd starts chanting defense, but spartans regain the lead. jason morton fouled on a drive to the baseline. both teams now in the double bonus the rest of the way. 'cats retake the lead on morton's free thows, but poor post defense leads to an easy spartan layin.

back and forth action with logan giving dc the lead, 60-59. davidson needs a stop and they get one with a heave ho three by UNCG. bad three from conor grace give the spartans to once again take the lead. kosmalski whistled for the foul in the paint. wildcats low post presence is quickly fading away.

uncg ties and now takes the lead on the free throws., 61-60. that gets the wildcat faithful to their feet. 'cats now down three after a turnover and quick uncg basket. ian johnosn fouled on the play and will go to the line. he makes both

uncg 63
davidson 62
3:29 to play.

second half part iii

two more ian johnson. turnover by spartans, winters to the free throw line. shot was blocked by UNCG and the davidson fans want a goaltending call, but no luck on that one from mike wood. winters sinks one of two to put the davidson lead to eight, 48-40. after empty possesions for both uncg cuts it to five with a three pointer.

BANK THREE POINTER BY IAN JOHNSON. he's got nine this half and davidson leads by five

uncg is in the midst of an 8-2 run to pull them within three, 51-48

johnson just collided with official mike wood and wood is injured on the play. we've now had a cheerlead, a referee and a davidson player (conor grace) injured. who will the uncg player be?

two more spartan free throws has cut the lead to one, 51-50. the wildcats haven't had a good possesion or even look at the basket in about five trips down the floor. winters drive the lane and is fouled. first one is good, and so is the second.

uncg takes the lead, 54-53 on a driving basket and they get fouled as well.

wildcats really need to pick it up on both ends of the floor and get back in a rhythm.

second half part ii

wildcats still hitting the boards hard and taking advantage of their size. ian johnson adding to the lead with a nice move in the paint pushes the lead to five, 43-38. two more for johnson on a drop step and the 'cats have their biggest lead, 45-38. tough inbounds defense forces a UNCG timeout.

davidson opens the half on a 19-7 run that has seen them dominate the boards and control the paint on both ends.

timeout disaster

being a former cheerleader i normally watch the routines. saw something new. a big fall by the UNCG team. the girl who fell was dragged off the floor by her squadmates and is still lying on the floor face down in the side area of the arena as the UTC staff attends to her.

second half part I

wildcats strike first. good ball movement gets an open look for grace. THREE POINT BASKET WINTERS. Tie ball game, 31 all,.

Davidson fans erupt with the winters three. uncg comes up empty, but so do the 'cats.

wildcats are controlling the boards to open the half and looking to establish an inside presence as well. winters missed a layin, but is fouled, good on the first free throw and the second, davidson leads 33-31. WINTERS WITH ANOTHER THREE as the crowd starts chanting MVP for WINTERS the SoCon POY.

Technical foul on Fran McCaffrey of UNCG for mouthing off to the officials. 'Cats up 2 after the technical free throws and they get the ball. more great davidson passing gets an open look for logan. 'cats up 4, 39-35.

20 minutes to play

wildcats are in a zone and give up an easy basket in the paint to uncg. they'll have to pick up the defensive pressure in the second period if they hope to get back in the game.

great give and go with kenny grant and jason morton cuts the lead to eight. wildcats look more energized after that play and get a great rebound, but no points on the offensive end.

spartans miss 2 from the FT line, but once again the wildcats can't convert the opportunity with just over 2 to play in the 1h

uncg has gone cold, but davidson hasn't yet responded to the opportunity. another DC miss.

the spartans have a big SoCon logo on their ass which looks really funny.

HUGE 3 BY JASON MORTON AT THE BUZZER

31-26 UNCG at the break

hot & cold

davidson, like the women earlier, havae come out and not shot the ball well. in addition to their cold shooting, uncg is on fire from the 3, going 4-7 through the first 12 minutes of play.

as usual the wildcat faithful are out in full force on both sides of the arena. while UNCG's fans are Spartan to say the least. davidson is dominating the boards as they have a great size advanage unfortunately numerous turnovers are hampering their offensive efforts as well.

another three for UNCG and thier lead is back at 10, 29-19, and then another turnover on davidson as they step out of bounds.

Men's Fashtion Tidbit

Breaking Davidson news from Starr Jones on the red carpet:

"Will Roberson has a new olive green suti with pin stripes. According to my sources he even picked out tie which matches his suit. Nice work Will. Go 'Cats."

Tough Wildcat Loss

Davidson just suffered a heart-breaking 59-58 loss to Western Carolina in the SoCon semis. Janell Crayton and Danielle Hemerka were the lone players in double figures for Davidson with 14 and 10 respecitvely. Davidson struggled in the first half with Western's inside game and rebounding. They gave up 13 offensive rebounds which led to 13 second-chance points. The Wildcats addressed that problem in the second period and really played well after that. The limtied the Catamounts to just 2 second change points and just 4 offensive rebounds. The Wildcats went on a three-minute scoring drought very late in the game which saw their 58-53 lead disappear and reappear as a five-point Catamount lead. Western made their free throws down the stretch and emerged victorious.

Game Positives: Katie Delk had a great game for the 'Cats in the second half scoring 7 points and adding 6 rebounds. Her game has matured over the second half of the season and I predict will have a great senior campaign next year. Hemerka and Crayton also stepped up huge, not only with scoring, but more importantly on the defensive end for the Wildcats. I also liked the resolve of the Wildcats in the second half as they showed a lot in coming back and playing the strong defense they did.

Hats off to Davidson senior Emily Callahan. She finishes her career with 1,078 points which is the sixth best total in school history.

While it certainly is a disappointing loss for the team and staff, they have to be proud of what they accomplished this season and what the future holds for them. They lose Callahan, but will gain a whole new group of players next year and will also regain Honna Housley and Amanda Horne who both missed much of the year with injuries. They also have Bibiana Arayomi coming back for her sophomore year. Although limited in playing time, she has gained great experience and skills over the past year and her atleticism will prove to be beneficial in years to come.

Great season for the Wildcats for sure, but a tough end for sure. The men tip off in 15 minutes, so it's off to get a quick bite before blogging for the men's game.

Davidson Women Preview

The Wildcats tip off in about 90 minutes and will face Western Carolina, the #6 seed in the women's bracket.

The two teams split their conference contests this year with Davidson winning the most recent on a pair of Jessica Mitchell free throws. Davidson has won three straight contests and six of their last eight dating back to a 59-51 win at Appalachian State.

Western is also on a hot streak having won seven of its last eight and nine of 12 down the home stretch. The Catamounts are led by Jennifer Gardner who ranks in the top 10 in both rebounds and points on the Western career lists. Most impressive in my opinion is that the power forward/center is also second all-time in free throw % for them. They are coached by Kelly (Jolly) Harper who played for the legendary Pat Summit at Tennessee where she helped lead the Lady Vols to three national championships.

Davidson advanced yesterday on the strengh of Katie Hamtilton's career-best 27 points and a solid effort from Tia Washington who added 14 points and a team-best 8 rebounds. In the game Hamilton moved one more spot up on the career scoring list to 17th with 783. She is also now 2nd in single season scoring with 450 points this year.

The matchup should be a tough one for the Wildcats as they haven't faired well against tough inside teams. Davidson will really have to step up their interioir defense and come out ready to play if they want to advance to the championship game. The Wildcats will also have to hit their outside shots well and make a good transition to the new venue. For Western, their key will be to contain Katie Hamilton and control the boards. That actually will be key for both teams.

Well, it's off to interview Coach Watts for the pre-game show.

Stop two in the madness is about to begin.

Semi Matchup

Final score from the fourth women's game. Western Carolina 66, Furman 56. Wildcats are the lone higher seed to advance. so it's 2, 6, 7, and 8. Davidson has played Western Carolina in the last two tournaments and will again do so Friday.

it should be a tough mathup for davidson as the catamounts have a strong interior presence with all-league player jennifer gardner. davidson is 1-1 vs. western this season having lost in cullowhee and won in davidson on a pair of free throws by Jessica Mitchell.

davidson will be looking to avenge its quarterfinal loss last year at the hands of western carolina who was also the sixth seed then. western then advanced on to the finals where they lost to UTC.

we're off to Buffalo Wild Wings for anyone who wants to join us.

the madness reigns still reigns.

Semis here we come

The Davidson men and women both advance to the semis tomorrow. It's the first time both teams have advanced to the semis since the 1998 season and only the third time overall (1996). The Wildcat women are 1-3 all-time in semis with its lone victory coming in 1999 over UNC Greensboro on a Jessica Heath game-winner.

if western were to win the women's semi today, it would be the third straight season the two teams have met in the socon tourney.

the davidson men advance to the semis for the fourth time in five years and will face UNC Greensboro.

before we had out to dinner, a few shout outs to those who have contacted me: Dunham, The Garfield, Mike Anderson, Lindsay Shade, Bethany Schott and The Lady.

It's a Final

Sorry for the delay in getting the score up, but Davidson wins 68-48. They earn thieir school-record tying 18th win and advance to the SoCon semis against either Furman or Western Carolina.

Katie Hamilton socres a career-high 27 points and grabs six rebounds and dishes three assists. Tia Washington adds 14 as the only other Wildcat in double figures. Davidson struggled in the first half, but shot 48.3% in the second and pulled away for the win.

With 8:00 to play in the 1H, Western leads Furman 15-13. A similary ugly first half to what Davidson and Charleston played earlier.

Major Upset

Just got to Maclellan Gym where the first major upset of the tournament has occurred with Chattanooga failling to ETSU, 55-50.

This blows the whole tournament wide open. It's the first time that an 8 seed has beaten a 1 seed. This is only the sixth time a #1 hasn't advanced to the SoCon final. The last time being the 2000 season. Neither team scored a field goal in the final 5:40 of action. ETSU's Tiffany Mayes, the league's Player of the Year, was limited to just 2 points and fouled out and yet the Lady Bucs still win.

Chances now look good for the Wildcats as they are the top remaining seed left. they have a tough assignment in Charleston tonight.

I'm signing off now and getting ready to do some pregame preps.

More info tonight hopefully.

Update: This is not the first time an 8 has beaten a 1, but the last time it occurred was with ETSU beating UTC.

Also, Mandi Copeland is the greatest SID known in all parts or at least in Maclellan Gym.

Updates

According to Jaime Jiminez and other sources, we are expecting about 100 fans and maybe a few more for the women's game tonight.

Update from the men's game. Georgia Southern is leading UNC Greensboro, 62-59.

Fargo Connection

Just ran into Josh Morton who works for the ACB affiliate in Charleston, SC. We were first introduced when we worked WDAY in Fargo, ND while I was a Graduate Assistant at North Dakota State University.

SoCon.tv

Got this note in from one of my readers:

Just stepped out of crim law, and got logged in to the streaming video. I’m on wireless internet connection, but still it’s pretty good. It starts and stops occasionally to re-buffer, but when it’s rolling, the picture is beautiful. I may have to ditch my 1:00 class to stay nearer to the wireless transmitter.

Thanks for the update.

Davidson/Elon 2nd Half

Still nothing, soi I'm blogging to no one.

Davidson strikes first with an easy putback. Elon is still hanging in there though which is troubling. And there's a three for Elon to trim the lead again.

Wildcats getting back in the offensive flow of things. Three ball by McKillop puts the lead back in double figures.

Lots of confusion at the moment as well as some jackass Elon fans. McKillop is annoyed by the referees call and out on the court, but no explanation over here on press row.

McKillops' tyrant appears to have paid off as the Wildcats have picked it up offensively and are up 13, 42-29.

With 14 min. to play, Elon looks to be tired.

Coach Nestor gets a "T" for arguing a no-call from Teddy V after an Elon player hits the deck and there was no foul.

Nice offensive set for the Wildcats. Their strength tonight has been their passing. A great look from Logan in the low post finds a cutting Ian Johnson.

Davidson slowly beginning to pull away. They're up 46-31 with just over 12 minutes left to play.

No internet connection sucks.

The arena is slowly starting to fill up. I don't know if people thought this was a game on central time or what, but starting to get some atmosphere.

'Cats by 18 as Winters hits a three with the time expiring on the shot clock. It will be tough for Elon to recover form this, but it's been a physical game so you never know.

Wildcats' lead is still in the teens at the eight minute mark. Winters with 19 points which is the 'Cats lead.

Once again the 'Cats motion offense and passing continues to get them easy looks.

Elon fans are up in arms again for no apparent reason. Six minute mark and 'Cats are up 18 and in the bonus. Kenny Grant going to the free throw line trying to push the lead to 20. And they're up 20.

Wildcats still scrapping on the defensive end and force a turnover and a chance for Jason Morton to get the three-point play. No good. oh well, 22 point edge, 66-44.

Great negativity from the fans. Can't imagine what it will be like one the home team gets in here especially if they play Davidson.

Wildcats up 19 now with just under four to play in the first game of the quaterfinals.

Davdidson has emptied the bench and now has just a total of three points on the court.

Final.

Davidson 67
Elon 53

Phoenix close out the game on a 9-1 run, but can't catchup. Wildcats advance to the semis tomorrow to play either UNC Greensboro or Georgia Southern at 6:00.

Davidson/Elon 1st Half

Welcome to McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tenn. I'm blogging the first session from just right of half court in the second row of the media section. There is no internet connection in the seating bowl so my updates will have to be during media timeouts.

Davidson out to an early 3-0 lead in what is turning out to be a slopy game early. The Wildcats were awarded their All-Conference, Player of the Year and Coach of the Year Awards by Danny Morrison, the SoCon Commissioner. This is a rematch of last year's quaterfinal in which Davidson scored a 68-61 win.

Still some technical difficulties in the arena as the stat monitors aren't working courtside for the media.

So far attendance isn't great, but it is a noon game with no local ties. Davidson fans are out inforce with at least 200 fans in their section. As I mentioned earlier the Wildcats look to be struggling getting their sea legs and have committed quite a few turnovers in the first five minutes of play.

We've got an experienced officiating crew with us for the first game. The infamous Tedd V as well as Tony Green and John Corio.

Big River Grille provided the pregame meal for today as we enjoyed Country Fried Chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes and some rolls. Washed down with coca-cola and a Chattanooga born trea, the Moon Pie.

There is definitely a lid on the baskets of both end as we're on pace for a 40-16 Davidson with with just under 10 minutes to play.

9:48 to play. Davidson 10-4.

Back at the half.

Well, maybe not. The internet connection is still not working. Wildcats are back up by eight, 16-8. They've connected on four three's already which bodes well.

Still ugly on the offensive end both ways.

Blogging isn't as fun when your computer won't update.

We've got a scoring frenzy going on now. Teams have both doubled their scoring prodcution over the last five minutes.

If the Wildcats are able to make a layup they should win the game. 8-0 Elon run cuts the lead to 1, 22-21. I can't see shooting %, but Davidson's has to be anemic. Elon ties is 24 all, but Winters responds with a three.

The small Elon crowd is making some noise now, but I'm sure that's how it will be for Davidson all tourney long. At 16-0 you're going to have that target on your back.

7 3s for Davidson so far with two from Logan.

Davidson leads by six, 30-24 at the half.

First Impressions & Predictions

I apologize in advance for the length of the post. The rest of today's posts won't be as long, but I will be looking to update twice each half and then during halftime and inbetween games.

Downtown & Nightlife:
After arriving at the hotel, I unpacked, called my wife and parents, posted quickly and then headed off to downtown to see what the fair city had to offer. First impression wasn't a good one. The downtown area where we went -- Broad & Market Streets near the Aquarium -- seemed to have great potential, but where were the people? I'll give them a pass if the crowd is out tonight. I mean it was a Wednesday night and admittedly we were at Chili's and not some booming bar, but a good time was had. There was a Friday's around the corner from us as well as a place called TacoMac. Not sure what that place is, but I'll check it out in the name of fair and balanced journalism. You're welcome. Also probably going to head over to the Big River Grille to meet up with some of the message board folks tonight as well. I think there are already plans in the work to hit the Buffalo Wild Wings Cafe which has three of my favorites -- NTN Trivia, Wings and Beer. Went out with a few insider types from four SoCon institutions, but not much insider scoops were to be had. Hopefully I'll be able to come in with some report later.

Live Stats???
I had a few questions about the live stats on SoConSports.com and from what I understand there were some technical issues that prevented them from working. I didn't get the impression that it was a high priority and therefore don't hold your breath today at 12 when the men's games tipoff. Your best bet will be either Yahoo or ESPN unless you're willing to fork over the $4.99 it costs to watch the game on SoCon.tv. I'm hoping to get a review of that service from what of our intrepid home-bound field reporters.

Reflections on Day 1
Long day for sure and I wasn't even at the tournament except for the drinking. I was surprised at how easy of a drive it was to Chattanooga, but also am some what concerned about attendance. Even the close schools aren't that close. It's 3 hours from ETSU, 5 from Georgia Southern and at least six from most other places. I was pleased to see my predictions hold true for the most part. The only game I missed was on the women's bracket and it went to overtime. The Chattanoogan is a nice hotel.

Predictions
Without a doubt the toughest draw of the day is for the ETSU Bucs. They've got both their teams playing the host Chattanooga Mocs and are underdogs in the seeding as well. The men have been so close this year that i think there are bound to be some upsets. The host team has never won a tournament since I've been following the league which has been about six years. It'll be interesting to see how long that trend continues.

The Men
Game 1: I know I'm biased in this one, but I really do believe that the depth of Davidson will prove to be the determining factor. It's always tough to get that first game under your belt which is an advantage for Elon, but Davidson has veteran leadership on this team that should overcome their first-game jitters. It'll be a close game for the first 30 minutes or so, but I think the 'Cats get hot from behind the arc and close it out with a double-digit win.

Game 2: The Eagles vs. The Spartans. My edge once again goes to Georgia Southern on this one. Sure UNCG is a higher seed, but with a game under their belt and the up tempo style of GSU I think it's onto the semis for the folks from Statesboro.

Game 3: In what I think is one of the more interesting matchups, ETSU and Chattanooga will battle for state bragging rights. In looking at trends, I can make some silly analysis about how ETSU lost by 35 in the first game and then 14 in the second and extrapalate that to a 7-point win for ETSU. However, with that kind of expert analysis we'd have VMI trying to get in the ACC next season. See what I mean VMI > Virginia Tech > Duke > UNC. So does that make VMI better than UNC? Exactly. But with that said, I'm still going with the upset. I've just got a feeling about Tim Smith and ETSU at least to this point I do.

Game 4: In the nightcap the surging Mountaineers will take on College of Charleston. Appalchian has won 9 0f 11 down the stretch which is great if you're on the bubble, but this is tourney time. You're one and done from here on out. While the Cougars might not have been playing as well down the stretch they have won three in a row including a strong win over VCU in the ESPN Bracket Buster event. This is my close game of the day and I've got CofC winning in the final minute.

Now on to the ladies:
Game 1: Georgia Southern vs. UNC Greensboro. These are two of the teams that were within a game of each other with one game left in league and could have ended up in a five-way tie for fourth place. This game should be dominated by UNC Greensboro as they easily won both of their contests in league play and are facing a slumping Georgia Southern team. However, fans need to remember that the lone loss for the top seed came at the hands of GSU. In the end though the balanced attack of the Spartans will win out and advance UNCG to the semis.

Game 2: Chattanooga vs. ETSU. Thanks for coming Lady Bucs. Hope you enjoyed your visit and bought some nice souveniers for your friends and family.

Game 3: The Wildcats earned a favorable draw with College of Charleston in its bracket rather than a more interior dominated Western Carolina. The Wildcats have faired well in tourney place against Charleston and I expect that to continue tonight. Davidson will need a focused effort from Katie Hamilton and Emily Callahan to help our their less experience teammates, but Coach of the Year Annette Watts and her troops will push through to the semis.

Game 4: This will be the most interesting matchup of the day for the ladies. Furman is a pressing team that likes to try and force you to make mental mistakes and turnovers while Western is a better interior team. I like the fresh legs of Furman in this one. Western didn't look impressive in downing lowly Wofford yesterday and I think fatigue will be a factor.

Article Links:
Here are some non-game story links about the SoCon:

First up an article from The State in Columbia, SC that talks about the majesty of this tournament and the rich rivalries that abound in the league. Interesting read with great quotes and history thrown in.

Second up is another article on Coach McKillop and Davidson, this time from the Winston-Salem Journal. This one focuses on the team and is more like a tourney preview from the Wildcats perspective.

Thanks for reading and if you made it this far. Give yourself a Gold Star!

Hello Again

Greetings from the Chattanoogan Hotel in lovely downtown chattanooga. Arrived about 10:00, but didn't make of the games. I was a perfect 4-0 for the men and 2-1 in the women's bracket just missing the Appalachian /ETSU tilt. Glad to see that I hit the nail on the head on the ETSU men's game. I'm heading out for a quick bite and first day gossip from some well placed sources, but will have some more info up on today's games after reading about them, tomorrow's action and other random thoughts.

Good night and keep reveling in the madness.

It's go time

The four o'clock hour is quickly approaching and it's time to begin the trek towards Chattanooga after a trip by Best Buy to pick up the new Hoosiers DVD. I've seen more productive days at work as I've continued to check the scores of the games and see how my predictions are progressing. I'll be listening for updates on my XM Radio on the way down.

Everyone travel safe and have a good time with the Madness.

6 hours to Chattanooga.

It's a Final

Elon 68, Wofford 54.

Elon advances to face the #1 seeded team from the Southern Division, Davidson at 12:00 Thursday.

Davidson defeated Elon earlier in the season and will be heavily favored in the game.

Prediction Time

Welcome to the longest running conference basketball tourney in the country. Well, welcome at least from my cube in Charlotte, NC.

First for the men. I think this should provide for an interesting tournament. Everyone could argue that Davidson should run away with it, but we've seen so many times over the years how seedings don't run true to form. Even this year already that's the case as the #2 and #3 seeds lost last night in the Big South tournament and they were playing at campus sites. That should clear the way for the first bid for a Charlotte-area team in the Eagles of Winthrop. But back to the SoCon and my picks.

The Gentlemen's Bracket:

Game 1: Elon has struggled most of the season under one of my basketball mentors Ernie Nestor and the Terriers have played well of late including playing tough against Davidson in the regular season finale. I'm going to go with my heart on this pick and go with a quasi first-round upset for the Fighting Christian Phoenixes of Elon. I'm just hoping that with an Elon win I'll get to see Coach Nestor on the bench in Chattanooga.

Game 2: Obvious pick here with one of the better teams in the league, Georgia Southern, easily holding serve against a struggling Western Carolina. The speed and pace of the Eagles will end up being too much for the overmatched Catamounts and I predict the seeds will hold at least for the first session of the men's action.

Game 3: I'm not sure the last time a two-time defending tournament winner has struggled so mightily. It further confuses the matter when you've got Tim Smith on the court for them as well. To see them fall is puzzling, but I guess it's the strength of those players who left the program. I've got the Paladins heading home early in this one. I think they key to this game will be a home state advantage for the Bucs and a possible late season surge for the defending champs. ETSU in a game that goes down to the wire.

Game 4: Appalachian State has come on like gang busters over the last half of the season. Sure they dropped the season finale to Elon, but I think that will only strenghen their resolve. I'm currently reading My Losing Season by Pat Dennis where he chronicles his senior season at The Citadel. I'm about half way through the book and believe I'll be enjoying it a lot longer than the Bulldogs will be enjoying Chattanooga. I've got App advancing in a very physical battle.

The Ladies Bracket:

Game 1: If Appalachian can put on a performance like they did against Western to close the season then they could be poised to make a run in this well balanced group of teams. ETSU comes into the game having won three of five, but has no quality wins in league play. They played tough against Georgia Southern in the season ending contest, but I'm not sure that will be enough. Look for an upset an early exit for ETSU and the league's player of the year Tiffani Mayes. She should be able to do some damage, but I think a hot shooting Lindsay Smith will lead her Appalachian team to the victory and a matchup with conference favorite Chattanooga.

Game 2: Davidson gets the winner of this game between Elon and College of Charleston. The Wildcats have fared well against both teams this year earning the season sweep against both. I've got the College with a vicotry here. They're playing relatively well having won seven of nine down the stretch and benefitting from balanced scoring as well. Elon is just too young and untested to fare well in this matcup.

Game 3: Western vs. Wofford. The inside presence of the Lady Catamounts will overwhelm the Terriers in probably what will be the most lopsided victory of any tournament game. Western could have very easily been the fourth seed in the tournament, but were upset in the final game of the season by Appalachian and fell to sixth. Jennifer Gardner can be a beast in the paint and could provide matchup problems for most teams in the tourney. This is a team that could go deep and challenge for a spot in the championship game. Consider them my darkhorse.

So there we have it. My first day predictions. I've got an upset in each bracket on Day 1 with the other five games going according to seed. Should provide for a long, but fun day of basketball.

The Day Has Arrived

Well, it's here. March 2nd. The 2nd day of that thing we call March Madness.

It's already been a long day with me having to pack, load the car, run by the dry cleaners and whatnot this morning. Got up around 5:30 to start the process and arrived at the Wachovia around 8:00 only 30 minutes late for the day.

T-Minus 3:30 for the start of the festivities in Chattanooga. I should be setting sail around 4:30 and hope to be there by 10:00 tonight.

There is an article today in the Charlotte Observer about Coach McKillop. A great read by Ron Green Jr. talking about McKillop's consistency. It's a real testament to Bob and Davidson. I hope that man stays a Wildcat forever. That type of person comes along once in a lifetime.

Well, I should do some work so I can get out of here and hit the road in a timely manner.

I hope to post again right around tipoff with some predictions and maybe some comments after the Elon-Wofford game concludes around 2:00.