Here come 32 first-round NCAA Tournament games. Maybe you need 32 reasons to watch.
Louisville vs. Alabama State-Morehead State winner. Last time the Cardinals were No. 1 during the season? Never.
Ohio State vs. Siena. So Siena, how do you like drawing the Buckeyes in Dayton, Ohio?
Utah vs. Arizona. You’re on, Arizona. Prove you deserved the big kiss the selection committee gave you.
Wake Forest vs. Cleveland State. When last seen, Cleveland State was in the 1986 Sweet 16. Four years later, the coach gets arrested driving away from a crack house. Long road back.
West Virginia vs. Dayton. Dayton’s Chris Wright is the best dunker you’ve never seen.
Kansas vs. North Dakota State. When Kansas won the national championship last spring, North Dakota State wasn’t even a Division I school.
Boston College vs. USC. This stat always amazes. USC, within two hours of a gazillion high school prospects, has not been to the Final Four since 1954.
Michigan State vs. Robert Morris. This is the 30th anniversary of the Spartans’ national title, so they can’t lose to a college named after a guy who signed the Declaration of Independence, can they?
Connecticut vs. Chattanooga. Could be worse, Chattanooga. You could be playing the UConn women.
BYU vs. Texas A&M. Right out of the movie “Groundhog Day.” They played the same first round game last year. Texas A&M won 67-62.
Purdue vs. Northern Iowa. One opinion: Purdue will be the last Big Ten team standing.
Washington vs. Mississippi State. Mississippi State shoots 36 percent, misses 21 three-pointers, wins league title game. Welcome to the 2009 SEC.
Marquette vs. Utah State. Utah State star Gary Wilkinson dropped out of high school, wandered into booze and drugs, then righted himself as a Mormon. Redemption takes awhile. He’s 26.
Missouri vs. Cornell. Big 12 Tournament MVP DeMarre Carroll’s early days at Missouri included getting shot in the ankle while trying to break up a bar fight. His uncle told him to keep the faith, and the sun would come out. His uncle is Mike Anderson, who coaches the team.
California vs. Maryland. The NBA didn’t work out so well, but California’s Mike Montgomery is one swell college coach.
Memphis vs. Cal State Northridge. Yeah, the old Tigers went to the national title game last April. But these new guys can shoot free throws.
Pittsburgh vs. East Tennessee State. Pitt hasn’t been past the round of 16 since 1974. Probably been 15 minutes since anyone mentioned that to the Panthers.
Oklahoma State vs. Tennessee. Hardy Vols: Tennessee played eight nonconference games against teams that made the NCAA Tournament.
Florida State vs. Wisconsin. Potential breakout star of the month: Florida State’s Toney Douglas.
Xavier vs. Portland State. Notice how Xavier just never seems to go away?
UCLA vs. VCU. Not likely the puzzling Bruins will have to worry about a Final Four disappointment this year.
Villanova vs. American. Villanova coach Jay Wright is so affable, he could give the Big East a bad name.
Texas vs. Minnesota. Probably noted in Lexington: Minnesota’s Tubby Smith is in the tournament. Kentucky is not.
Duke vs. Binghamton. Binghamton’s first NCAA appearance. Duke’s 33rd.
North Carolina vs. Radford. Tar Heels faithful are so concerned, Ty Lawson’s toe now has its own Facebook page.
LSU vs. Butler. Not a good sign of general opinion of the SEC: LSU had the league’s best record by three games – and was seeded eighth.
Illinois vs. Western Kentucky. Sure to be the upset flavor of the week.
Gonzaga vs. Akron. How can you miss the Zags vs. the Zips?
Arizona State vs. Temple. In the interest of cutting travel costs, the NCAA sent a team from Arizona and a team from Pennsylvania to neighboring Miami.
Syracuse vs. Stephen F. Austin. Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn played 181 minutes in four days at the Big East Tournament. Two NCAA games in three days? That’s cake.
Clemson vs. Michigan. Sounds like a fine Outback Bowl.
Oklahoma vs. Morgan State. Morgan State’s Todd Bozeman, who once coached California past Duke in the second round at the age of 29, has returned from eight-year NCAA exile, after paying a recruit. Three years ago, Morgan State was 4-26 and hired him.
So we know which game that St. Jude, patron saint of lost causes, will be watching.