Monday was one of those rare nights, not an overwhelming number of games going on, but they were all of massive importance. Tonight will be similar, even with the Big East first round games only being available on the conference's website.
Four teams are in after last night's action.
VCU returns to the dance after a year's absence, handily defeating defending CAA champion George Mason, 71-50. Rams' guard Eric Maynor had everyone oohing and aahing in the first half. He ended up with 25. The star of the night, however, was VCU forward Larry Sanders, thanks to a 18 point, 20 rebound, 7 block line.
Chattanooga won the Southern Conference crown on their home floor, knocking off the College of Charleston, 80-69. Even though the Mocs were the North Division's top seed, they would've finished below fourth place Wofford in the South Division. That doesn't bode well for their seeding come Sunday.
Siena outlasted Niagara, 77-70, to win the Metro Atlantic crown on their home floor. Kenny Hasbrouck had 19 for the Saints, while Ryan Rossiter had 16 points and (unbelivably) 16 boards.
And St. Mary's at-large chances took a major hit in the West Coast final. The Gaels fell to Gonzaga, 83-58. Patty Mills looked rusty again, managing only 5 points on a woeful 2-16 (that's 12.5%) shooting night. It wasn't a great night for the SMC guards period. The Bulldogs ended up with six players in double figures.
Three bids are on the line tonight.
If you remember correctly, the two opponents for tonight's Horizon League final (ESPN, 9 EDT), Butler and Cleveland State were determined in Saturday's semifinals.
Summit League (ESPN2, 8 EDT) - Top-seeded North Dakota State defeated Southern Utah, 79-67 to advance to the final. The Bison, who feature four redshirt seniors, making their one run at the Dance, take on the three seed Oakland, who ended seventh-seeded South Dakota State's run, depriving us of a true Badlands final.
Sun Belt (ESPN2, 10 EDT) - Western Kentucky got a battle from North Texas, but the top-seeded Hilltoppers built a lead at the end and won 77-70. WKU faces sixth-seeded South Alabama for the title tonight. The Jaguars defeated regular-season co-champion Arkansas-Little Rock 54-44. The Trojans only shot 26 percent from the field and 53 percent from the line.
I'll be working on a bracket off-and-on tonight to have it up after the Sun Belt game.