It's MARCH MADNESS!!!! One of my favorite times of the year. These conference tournies are fun to watch. Just love to see some small school, East St. Joseph A&M, the Fightin' Mammoths, or some such silly mascot, with 200 fans in attendance go bonkers earning a trip to the Big Dance. Never mind they'll draw Kansas or Kentucky in their first game and get throttled 95-50. Who cares about that!? They danced!
Unfortunately, for us, it's been way too long. Many of you have never experienced the thrill of earning a spot in the NCAA's. There was a time, a 9-year run, when we went 5 times, as I recall. And the other 4 years we went to the NIT. Each year we had a legit shot, and usually expected, to dance.
Now, it's more like, oh well, don't get your hopes up....
So, if the seeds hold, the Dawgs willl have to go thru UAB (7), ODU (3) and MTSU (1) in 3 consecutive days.
No problem.
A very similar scenario to dawg80's is that a bottom seed in a tournament gets hot for one night (maybe on their home court) and knocks off one of the top seeds (who they haven't beaten in three years) only to be thrashed their second game. But they just eliminated a team that has worked hard to get a good conference record and probably deserves to dance. I know you say that's the way it is. But I say it shouldn't be.
We will cut through this like a hot knife through butter, but that will just be the start. The nation will learn the Legend of the Bulldog, as we will be that small school that goes bonkers in making the Big Dance that dawg80 speaks of. The curse dies!
But here is where stories changes. We do not draw Kentucky or Kansas in the first round, but the equally mighty Duke Blue Devils in an epic 4-13 match-up. You know what this means don’t you? It is going to be a long day for the Blue Devils! Five Bulldogs, led by Erik and Jacobi score double-digits in sending those pompous Devils back to Durham.
Next up as dog chow are the equally blue-blooded, fifth seeded Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. The Irish come in looking forward to an easy path to the Sweet Sixteen and a match-up with defending national champion Villanova. NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND! On this day, the Dawgs are masters of da boards and defense. After a final Hail Mary falls short the Irish limp back to South Bend with their tail between their legs.
Louisiana Tech has indeed SHOCKED THE NATION! A trip to the Sweet Sixteen. Unfortunately, this is as far as Cinderella’s slipper will carry us this year as Nova wins in double overtime. All in all, quite a year for the Dawgs from Ruston. We are puppies no more and this year will be the start of another streak. A streak not unlike the one dawg80 speaks of. Great research skills by the way. Nine years, 5 Big Dances, 4 NIT’s (1984-1992).
The mighty, mighty Bulldogs make the next four Big Dances. Another sweet sixteen, followed by twin elite eight appearances, culminated by our first final four. The USA has become BULLDOG NATION. People all over the country are naming their puppies Champ. Elementary school children across the country ask the question, “Why when my blood is in my veins is it Tech Blue, but when it spills out is it Tech Red?” Sean Isabella is no longer employed for missing out on the greatest college sports success story in this century. He was last seen begging for a for a last sip of a Coke Cola Icee and a bite of Johnny’s.
Alas, Bulldog Nation all things must come to an end. Two-time national coach of the year Erik Konkol is hired to replace the retiring Coach Krzyzewski. Duke AD Kevin White is quoted, “I always planned on hiring a Tech coach to replace Krzyzewski, I just thought it would be another guy named Mike. But after Louisiana Tech knocked us out of three of the last five NCAA tournaments I had to hire the real Coach K!”
Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs. SHOCK THE NATION!!
Tickets being punched for the Dance. Right now Fla Gulf Coast (25-7) is in a battle with North Fla for the Atlantic Sun title. NF is 15-18.
The Campbell Fightin Camels are in. As is Lehigh.
Jacksonville State and Winthrop also in.
Wichita State (ranked 21st) also looking good, leading in their game.
Got the FGCU game on in the background. Dude just dunked so hard the shot clock lost power...