And even though I said I probably wouldn't be watching it, I have to start off by giving major props to the Netherlands national team for advancing to the second round in the WBC. The Dutch played like champions against very tough opposition and I hope their victories raise the game's profile in all of the Dutch territories. Props also to the Australians, who look like they are playing well.
Now that I've done my prop-giving, back to March Madness. Three more tickets were punched today: Cleveland State (Horizon), Western Kentucky (Sun Belt), and North Dakota State (Summit). For the NDSU Bison, it's their first trip to the dance. Western Kentucky was a Sweet 16 team last year, so welcome back. Cleveland State's win, however, was the most important, and not merely for their advancing to the tournament for the first time since 1986. In winning the Horizon League, they stole the automatic bid from #17 Butler and relegated them to an at-large bid. This, of course, just knocked some poor bubble team -- perhaps Arizona, Creighton, SDSU, who knows -- out into the NIT to stay. Congratulations to the Vikings in any case; it's nice that they'll get another chance after 23 years, but no doubt there are a number of teams tonight who are kicking themselves.
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