March Madness USA

Posted under Basketball Tournaments, NCAA March Madness Tournaments, NCAA March Madness series

The NCAA tournament is played over a period of three weeks, usually beginning on the third Thursday in March. After the sixty-fourth and sixty-fifth teams of the men’s tournament play in an opening round, the real tournament begins.

In the women’s tournament, there is no sixty-fifth team so there is no “opening round.”Over the first two full days of the tournament, the field of 64 teams is pared to 32. In the next two days, the field is trimmed to 16 — the Sweet 16, as it is often called.

These final 16 teams take a four-day break before resuming play on the next Thursday. During the second week of the tournament, the field is trimmed from 16 to four. These teams comprise the tournament’s Final Four.

Posted under Basketball March Madness, Basketball Tournaments, March Madness Game

These 1,006 schools are divided into three categories and must follow rules specific to their division. Here are some of the factors that the NCAA uses to delineate between the three divisions.Division I - These schools must sponsor at least seven sports each for men and women, or six for men and eight for women, with two team sports for each gender. Men’s and women’s basketball teams must play all but two of their games against Division I teams, and men must play a third of their contests in their designated home arena. Schools have a minimum and maximum number of scholarships they can award. Of the three divisions, Division I is the most prominent and receives the most publicity.

Division II - These schools must sponsor at least four sports each for men and women, with two team sports for each gender. Men and women’s basketball teams must play at least half of their games against Division I or Division II schools. There are no minimum home game requirements for this division.

Division III - These schools must sponsor at least five sports each for men and women, with two team sports for each gender. Unlike Divisions I and II, Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships.

One of the NCAA’s duties is to organize the annual basketball tournament for men’s and women’s college basketball of each division. Each tournament is based on a single-elimination format.

Since the Division I tournament is the most prominent, and the format for all of the tournaments is the same, the rest of this article focuses on the Division I tournament. In the next section, you will learn more about the tournament format.

Posted under March Madness History

During the final session each weekend, players on the state championship teams celebrating their 10th, 20th and 30th anniversary years will have a reunion at Redbird Arena.

Players and coaches from the reunion teams will be introduced to fans attending the final session during halftime of the third place game on the Redbird Arena floor.  Each will receive a special remembrance provided by the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission.

Class A reunion teams for 2007 will be:  1997 Carlyle and 1987 Teutopolis.

Class AA reunion teams for 2007 will be:  1997-1987-1977 Lincolnshire (Stevenson) and Peoria (Manual).

Posted under Madness March Reviews

Player of the Year: Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown

Newcomer of the Year: Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse

All-Conference Team:
G- Dominic James, Marquette
G- Scottie Reynolds, Villanova
F- Terrence Williams, Louisville
F- Jeff Adrien, Connecticut
C- Roy Hibbert, Georgetown

Second Team:
G- Jerel McNeal, Marquette
G- Edgar Sosa, Louisville
G- Jonathan Wallace, Georgetown
F- Geoff McDermott, Providence
C- Kentrell Gransberry, South Florida

Third Team:
G- Eric Devendorf, Syracuse
G- Eugene Harvey, Seton Hall
G/F- Brian Laing, Seton Hall
F- Paul Harris, Syracuse
F- Dajuan Summers, Georgetown

1. Georgetown: The Hoyas had an outstanding season a year ago, reaching the Final Four and winning both the Big East regular-season and conference titles. However, they do lose All-America and lottery pick Jeff Green, but John Thompson III should have more than enough firepower to make another deep run in March. It all starts with Roy Hibbert, the best center in the country by a long margin. He could have gone to the NBA, but he decided to return for his senior year and a shot at a title. “The NBA will hopefully still be there next year, so I’m going to have fun this year. I want to win a national championship,” Hibbert told reporters at the Big East Media Day. The All-America is still developing his game at both ends of the floor. Offensively, he uses his size to get points around the basket and is an adept passer out of the post. On the defensive side, he is a very good shot-blocker and rebounder but needs to become more mobile inside if he wants to become the next dominant big man in a long line of Georgetown centers. Returning at forward is DaJuan Summers, a developing combo forward who has a similar skill set to Green. He can do a variety of things, including shooting from long-range and taking players off the dribble. Expect him to take his game to the next level this year. Patrick Ewing Jr. may start, but his energy and athleticism make him the perfect sixth man. He provides good rebounding and can score close to the basket on dunks and pubacks. Vernon Macklin is solid close to the goal and will provide depth down low. The backcourt is also extremely solid. The starters don’t jump out at you with stats, but All-Big East guard Jonathan Wallace and Jessie Sapp do a little of everything and are key cogs in the Hoyas’ attack. Wallace can shoot the ball well and does not turn the ball over, while Sapp produces in every category and can play multiple positions. Like Wallace, he takes great of the ball. Austin Freeman is a highly-touted freshman wing who can shoot the ball very well and should make an immediate impact. Fellow frosh Chris Wright will see plenty of time at the point, but a broken right foot will keep him out for now. Returnees Jeremiah Rivers and Tyler Crawford will also push for minutes. Projected Finish: NCAA

2. Louisville: The Cardinals finished last year on a high note, winning their last six regular-season games and dominating Stanford in the NCAA Tournament before falling in a heart-breaking loss to Texas A&M. With four starters and a wealth of talent back, Rick Pitino could be back in the Final Four in the near-future. Like Georgetown, Louisville’s main strength is its frontcourt. The Cardinals can go with a variety of looks and line-up options with the versatility and depth of this group. Terrence Williams is a versatile wing who is one of the better all-around players in the country—when he’s consistent. He goes through bouts of inconsistency with his shooting, but the rest of his game is terrific. Williams led the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists. All-conference big man David Padgett and Juan Palacios are both injury-prone seniors who are hoping to get through a full season. Padgett is a solid big man who can score efficiently with both hands, while Palacios is another versatile forward who can score and rebound. Derrick Caracter might be the most talented big man on the team, and is tough to stop around the rim. He has also improved his work ethic and maturity in the offseason. Earl Clark is a match-up nightmare and could see time in the backcourt as well. He is arguably the player on the team with the most potential. Freshman George Goode is talented, but the logjam in front of him means he won’t see too much time, while Terrance Farley could see minutes down low. In the backcourt, point guard Edgar Sosa leads the way. He played very well at the end of the year, and could emerge as one of the best lead guards in the country. He can get to the basket with ease, and is a solid distributor due to his playmaking ability. He is a decent outside shooter, but needs to improve his defense. Jerry Smith will start next to him because of his outstanding three-point shooting. The Cardinals don’t have a lot of outside shooters, and Smith is one of the best in the Big East. Junior Andre McGee is very quick at the point, and will back-up Sosa. Clark and Williams can swing to the two if necessary. Projected Finish: NCAA

3. Marquette: The Golden Eagles were inconsistent last season. At times, they looked like a potential Final Four team, in wins at Louisville and at Pittsburgh, while at other times they looked like an NIT, especially in a loss to North Dakota State and in three-point wins against Valparaiso and Idaho State. This year, with everyone back, Tom Crean hopes to have a team with less ups-and-downs. It starts in the backcourt, where Marquette is home to one of the best three-guard lineups in the country. Dominic James struggled last season with his shot, but will look to return to his freshman-season form, in which he became one of the best point guards in the country. He is fearless when driving to the basket, and is also solid at finding his teammates. Jerel McNeal is one of the best two-way players in the country. He can lock down opponents on the defensive end, and is also a good offensive player. However, he turns the ball over too often, and needs to improve that to reach his true potential. Wesley Matthews does everything well, but is not much of a shooter from long-range. He is a solid rebounder and passer. David Cubillan is a terrific outside shooter, while Ball State transfer Maurice Acker is very quick and averaged double-figures in the MAC. The frontcourt will be the key for the Golden Eagles. Ousmane Barro returns at center. He is a long 6-10 center who provides athleticism and the ability to run the floor. Barro had a decent season last year, scoring and rebounding well on the inside. At the power forward position, Dan Fitzgerald and Lazar Hayward will fight for the starting job. Fitzgerald is extremely versatile and can play nearly any position on the court—and has in his four years at Marquette. He is a very good three-point shooter and a solid al-around performer. Hayward is very tough to stop around the basket despite his 6-6 size, but needs to improve his perimeter game. Freshman Trevor Mbakwe will also see plenty of time down low. He is very athletic and is tough to defend around the rim due to his explosiveness and dunking ability. Projected Finish: NCAA

4. Syracuse: The Orange had a rough finish to last season, despite winning six of their last eight games. The disappointment stems from Selection Sunday, when the Orange were left out of the NCAA Tournament in favor of teams like Stanford and Arkansas even though they had 23 wins overall, including ten in the Big East. ‘Cuse loses its entire frontcourt, including All-Big East forward Demetris Nichols. He will be replaced by stud freshman Donte Greene. Greene is a very good outside shooter who can also score going to the basket. Defensively, he is long but not overly strong. He will team with Paul Harris to form a very solid forward tandem. Harris came into school with tons of potential, and despite a sub-par year a season ago, this could be his breakout campaign. He is very tough to stop around the basket due to his strength, and is a tenacious rebounder despite his 6-5 size. Rounding out the starting frontcourt will be redshirt sophomore Arinze Onuaku. He is a good rebounder who is also a solid offensive player if he can stay healthy. Splitting the center duties with him will be freshman Rick Jackson. He is a very good inside scorer and rebounder who could be a very effective player for Jim Boheim this year. JC transfer Kristof Ongenaet and Sean Williams will also push for time. In the backcourt, the Orange could feature one of the better duos in the conference by the end of the season. Eric Devendorf is a talented scorer and shooter who can get to the basket and also knock down threes if given space. He had to play the point last year, though, but will be able to move over to the wing this season. That is because of the arrival of McDonald’s All-American point guard Jonny Flynn, one of the best recruits in the country. He has outstanding quickness and floor vision, and is one of the best passers in the conference. He is also a terrific defender who will help at the front of Syracuse’s zone. Josh Wright has experience playing the point, and will provide depth and insurance in case Flynn falters. Freshman Antonio Jardine is a scorer who will see time on the wing. Projected Finish: NCAA

5. Villanova: Jay Wright seems to find a way to win, no matter what sort of lineup he puts out on the floor. He ran four guards two years ago, and made it within one game of the Final Four. Last year, he had a more standard lineup, but had a freshman point guard—and the Wildcats still won 22 games and made the NCAA Tournament. This season, expect at least two fresh faces in the starting lineup—and possibly no starter taller than 6-8. It all starts with a loaded perimeter group, led by the aforementioned freshman Scottie Reynolds, now a sophomore. He is one of the best guards in the country and should take a step forward this season with more help on the perimeter. He needs to improve his shooting, but is extremely difficult to defend when he is knocking down his shots. Starting next to him will likely be two freshmen, Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes. Fisher is a stud point guard and can both score and distribute extremely well. He is a very good playmaker and can play off the ball as well. Stokes is a flat-out shooter. He has great three-point range and can get hot from behind the arc. He needs to improve his dribble-drive though. Sophomore Reggie Redding has improved in the offseason, according to Wright, and will push for a starting job. He has already demonstrated the ability to play tough defense. Another freshman, Malcolm Grant, is a solid guard who can score and pass the ball well. Up front, ‘Nova will likely go another year without a go-to post player, but it should still be fine. Shane Clark and Dante Cunningham are two combo forwards that can do a variety of things. Cunningham will be the team’s best frontcourt player. He is athletic and is active on the glass, with his main scoring opportunities coming around the basket. Clark is a solid defender and rebounder who should become a better offensive player this year. Redshirt freshman Antonio Pena could be the post scorer Wright is looking for. He can grab rebounds and finish well on the interior. Sophomore Casiem Drummond and redshirt freshman Andrew Ott are decent off the bench, and Dwayne Anderson will provide depth on the wing. Projected Finish: NCAA

6. Pittsburgh: The Panthers go through the same routine every year. They lose two or three key starters, usually including one star, and everybody thinks it’s going to be a down year for Jamie Dixon and co. Then Pitt goes out, wins 25 games or so, and wins a game or two in the NCAA Tournament. It’s like clockwork. This year is no different. The Panthers lose three starters, including Antonio Graves, Levon Kendall, and star center Aaron Gray, one of the best big men in the country last year. But Pitt should still make the NCAA Tournament again. The Panthers are led by their deep and talented perimeter group. Levance Fields is a crafty point guard who takes care of the ball and does not turn it over often. He is also a good long-range shooter who makes plays when driving to the basket. Ronald Ramon is one of the best three-point shooters in the Big East, and always seems to do whatever the team needs him to do in order to win. Mike Cook was a double-figure scorer last year, and could become the team’s go-to-guy this season. He is a very good shooter, both inside and outside the arc, but can also go to the basket. Senior Keith Benjamin provides athleticism off the bench, while freshman Bradley Wanamaker can score and defend well. Up front, Sam Young and Tyrell Biggs are the leading returnees. Young has loads of potential and has yet to have a break-out season. This could be his year. He can finish very efficiently and is very athletic. Biggs had some solid contests last year, and provides good rebounding and defense. A large group of newcomers will help replace Gray down low. “I couldn’t be happier with the way they have developed—the four guys that have been playing at that spot. We’re going to find productivity out of that group,” Dixon said at the Media Day. DeJuan Blair is the most highly-touted of the group, and is a very good rebounder and inside-outside scorer. Cassin Diggs has been a major surprise in practices thus far, said Dixon. Gary McGhee and Austin Wallace will also fight for minutes. Wing Gilbert Brown is very athletic and can score well off the bench. Projected Finish: NCAA

7. Connecticut: The Huskies hope to put last season’s 17-14 (6-10 in the Big East) debacle behind them and quickly move forward to this year. “It was a real difficult year,” guard Jerome Dyson said. “It’s hard for us to go down as one of those teams that didn’t win.” UConn returns all five starters, and Jim Calhoun is one of the better coaches in the country. It starts with a deep and talented frontcourt. Jeff Adrien is a double-double lock every time he steps on the court, and he could be even better this year. He is tough to defend around the basket due to his strength, but has also improved his shooting touch in the offseason. He is also a relentless rebounder and a solid shot-blocker. 7-3 sophomore Hasheem Thabeet returns at center. He is an outstanding shot-blocker who affected opposing post players a great deal. However, his offensive game is nowhere near his defensive game yet, but he improved his post moves in the offseason by working against NBA players and former UConn stars. “If I can score against Emeka Okafor, I can score against anyone,” Thabeet said. Backing them up will be Curtis Kelly, the team’s most improved player in the offseason according to Dyson, and sophomore big men Jonathan Mandeldove and Gavin Edwards. Kelly is a tough scorer around the basket, while Mandeldove and Edwards will provide depth. Stanley Robinson and Marcus Johnson will man the small forward position again. Robinson has terrific potential and just needs to play more consistently to become a star in the Big East. Johnson is very athletic and can finish in transition. In the backcourt, sophomores Jerome Dyson and Doug Wiggins, and junior A.J. Price return. Dyson could be the next star in a long line of Husky wings that have gone on to excel in the NBA. However, he may be playing more point guard this season, according to Calhoun. He is a very good scorer who will be the team’s go-to-guy on the perimeter. Price started at the point last year, and providing good scoring and playmaking. Wiggins is extremely quick and provides good scoring and defense. Senior Craig Austrie is a former starter and will provide leadership and bench support this year. Freshman Donnell Beverly is the team’s only freshman. Projected Finish: NCAA

8. Providence: Talking to various coaches around the league, the team mentioned the most when referring to clubs hoping to move up in the standings was Providence. The Friars return four starters, and the talk of the conference heading into the year is PC. “I think they’re very skilled and experienced, which are two good places to start, and they’re well-coached,” Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon said. “I think they’re going to be an NCAA Tournament team.” The Friars are led by an underrated perimeter group. Sharaud Curry is a scoring point guard who can shoot the three and distribute the ball well. He is a playmaker. However, he will miss several games with an injury. Senior forward Charles Burch isn’t worried though. “I think it’s going to hurt us initially,” he said. “It also can help us, because it will allow us to see what else we have. It’s going to test us.” Stepping in for Curry while he is out will be Dwain Williams and Manhattan transfer Jeff Xavier. Williams stepped in for Curry last season when he was injured and provided solid three-point shooting and scoring. Xavier is an explosive scorer who was one of the top players in the MAAC two years ago. He is also a very solid defender. Shooting guard Weyinmi Efejuku is an extremely underrated guard within the conference. He is a very good shooter and scorer who was inconsistent at times last year. If he stays focused, he will be one of the best players in the league. Brian McKenzie is a good defender who can score. Geoff McDermott is one of the best all-around players in the country. He is a solid scorer from the forward spot, but is a tremendous rebounder and passer. If he stays healthy, look out—he is a star. Jonathan Kale also returns up front. He is a good scorer and rebounder who has improved range. The key in the frontcourt will be center Randal Hanke, who took last season off for personal reasons but averaged 13 points and 5 rebounds two seasons ago. He is an extremely efficient shooter who can block shots. Burch will provide depth, as will sophomore big man Ray Hall. Jamine Peterson will find a way to get minutes. Projected Finish: NCAA

9. Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish finally broke through the Selection Sunday sadness that has faced them the past few years, garnering a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament before promptly losing to Winthrop in the first-round. On top of that, the Irish lose wings Russell Carter and Colin Falls, one of the highest-scoring tandems in the country. Coach Mike Brey thinks ND could be better, though. “I think we have a chance to be better because we have eight veterans back that have won together,” he said. “Our group played together and won together, and feels like there is some unfinished business.” Leading the way is the backcourt duo of Kyle McAlarney and Tory Jackson, two point guards who will start together this year. McAlarney is a prolific scorer who was kicked out of school last year for marijuana possession. However, he is back and brings his penetrating abilities with him. He is a solid playmaker. Jackson is more of a pure point guard, and will likely handle most of the ball-handling duties this season. He is very quick and can get to the basket. “What people forget is that when this team found itself against Maryland and Alabama in December, they played together 25 minutes,” Brey said. “We’ve already done this.” Providing depth in the backcourt will be wing Ryan Ayers, who can shoot the three, and freshman Ty Proffitt. Up front, Notre Dame returns forwards Rob Kurz, Luke Harangody, and Zach Hillesland. Kurz will be the senior leader for the team, and can do a variety of things on the court. He can score both inside and outside, and is also a very good rebounder. Harangody is extremely strong and is a bruiser on the interior. He is efficient from the field and can finish around the basket due to his strength and surprising athleticism. Hillesland is another inside-outside forward who can create match-up problems. Luke Zeller can step out and hit the three-pointer, despite his 6-11 size. Freshman Tyrone Nash will likely see plenty of time off the bench. Projected Finish: NIT

10. West Virginia: The Mountaineers could the most interesting team in the league. They return four starters from an NIT title team, and bring in one of the most successful coaches around in Bob Huggins. So why the low expectations? Simply put, the current WVU players might not fit Huggins’ system very well, compared to how they were used in former coach John Beilein’s system. Despite that, expect this team to contend. It starts on the perimeter with point guard Darris Nichols, one of the more underrated lead guards in the conference. He is a very good distributor who hardly ever turns the ball over, and can also score very well. Nichols, like most WVU players, can shoot the three. Alex Ruoff is one of the best all-around players in the league. Even though he played on the wing, he finished second in the conference in assists, and was also a terrific defender. The 6-6 junior can knock down perimeter shots. At forward, Joe Alexander and Da’Sean Butler, both double-figure scorers, return. Alexander is very athletic and can finish well inside. He also needs to improve his rebounding. Butler was the sixth man last year, but needs to step up this season. He is athletic and is a good scorer and rebounder. Expect him to have a big year. Down low, Jamie Smalligan will start. He can shoot well from the perimeter and the 7-footer is also a solid rebounder. The depth on the perimeter will come from sophomore Joe Mazzulla, a solid combo guard. Wellington Smith made the most of his minutes last year at forward, and John Flowers could see time immediately as a freshman off the bench. Projected Finish: NIT

11. Seton Hall: The Pirates are another team that could be a potential surprise in the Big East. They return four starters from last year, and will move into a new arena this year in an attempt to ignite some fan support for a rising Seton Hall program under Bobby Gonzalez. The perimeter is the key to the team. It will be led by sophomore guard Eugene Harvey and senior wing Brian Laing, the two leading scorers in the Big East last season. Harvey was one of the best freshmen point guards in the country last season, and might be primed to become a household name across America. Laing was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder a year ago, and can do a variety of things on the court. Three more perimeter players also return to the line-up and rotation. 6-2 Jamar Nutter is a good scorer and will look to improve his shooting this year; 5-11 Paul Gause is a terrific defensive player who Gonzalez thinks is extremely underrated on both a Big East and national level; and 6-4 Larry Davis can shoot the three with efficiency. Gonzalez thinks Davis could be a sleeper. Another impact player in the backcourt will be freshman Jeremy Hazell, an outstanding shooter and scorer from the perimeter. The frontcourt will be the key for the Pirates. John Garcia is the lone returnee in the frontcourt, and he has been hampered by injuries throughout his career. However, according to sources near the program, Garcia has made enormous strides in the offseason and could be a go-to post player this year. The rest of the frontcourt will be comprised of newcomers Mike Davis, Michael Glover, Augustine Okosun, and Brandon Walters. Davis is a decent scorer in the post and can also rebound and play defense. Glover could start right away next to Garcia. Okosun and Walters will provide depth. Projected Finish: NIT

12. Cincinnati: The Bearcats finished last in the conference last season, going only 2-14 in league play and 11-19 overall. However, they do return four starters and will be much improved this year. Cincy had a key loss, though, when former Texas transfer Mike Williams was lost for the year with a ruptured Achilles in preseason practice. The Bearcats have a very solid inside-outside in guard Deonta Vaughn and forward John Williamson. Vaughn is a very good scorer and all-around play who needs to improve his perimeter shot in order to take the next step. The 6-6 Williamson is a very good scorer and rebounder who has the ability to outplay players bigger than him because of his tenacity on the glass. Joining Williamson in the frontcourt will be returning starter Marcus Sikes. He is a solid scorer and rebounder but he can also distribute the ball and knock down the perimeter shots. Freshman Alvin Mitchell is going to be a potential star on the wing. He can score very well when going to the basket. Down low, freshman Anthony McClain will make an immediate impact due to his 6-11 size and shot-blocking ability. Adam Hrycaniuk is an inside-outside performer who will push for a starting job. On the perimeter with Vaughn will be Jamual Warren and Marvin Gentry. Warren can get to the basket and create plays for himself and teammates. He is also a solid defender who can rebound. Gentryis a decent perimeter shooter who could take a big step forward this year. Freshmen Rashad Bishop and Darnell Wilks will provide depth on the wing. Projected Finish: No Postseason

13. St. John’s: The Red Storm are still looking to take the major step forward that everyone has been anticipating—or hoping—for the past several years. Instead, Norm Roberts has steadily improved this team, going from 6 wins the year before he arrived to 16 last season. However, the Johnnies lose three starters and could struggle to make the Big East Tournament this year. The returnees are led by Eugene Lawrence and Anthony Mason Jr. Lawrence is one of the best all-around statistical contributors in the league with his ability to score, rebound, and distribute. He lost weight in the offseason and will take on more of an aggressive role this season. Mason could be an All-Big East player by the end of the year. He demonstrated flashes of his potential last season, and can score in a variety of ways. When his shots are falling, look out. Larry Wright is a good shooter who will fight for a starting job next to Lawrence, while Tomas Jasiulionis will provide depth down low. The key to this team will be its deep crop of freshmen. The leader of the group is forward Justin Burrell. He will start right away and could become a dominant inside presence before his time is done in Queens. Also up front are Dele Coker and Sean Evans. Coker is a very good shot-blocker who needs to improve his raw offensive game, while Evans is a combo forward who has great athleticism and can do a variety of things. The main newcomer in the backcourt is Malik Boothe, a 5-9 point guard who will push for a starting job. He is a very good defender and takes care of the ball, and is extremely quick going to the basket. D.J. Kennedy is another good all-around player who will see plenty of minutes, and Paris Horne is a great athlete who can run the floor and score. Mike Cavataio will provide depth. Projected Finish: No Postseason

14. DePaul: The Blue Demons started off strong last season, including a win over Kansas, but stumbled during the middle part of the year, and was relegated to the NIT despite a 9-7 Big East record. Furthermore, they lose stars Sammy Mejia and Wilson Chandler, the latter an early-entry to the NBA. However, DePaul brings in a very good recruiting class to help replace the talent lost, including stud freshmen Dar Tucker and Mac Koshwal. Tucker is a 6-5 wing that is very athletic and provides very good scoring and solid rebounding and defense. Koshwal is another highly-touted recruit who will start immediately. He is a good interior scorer and rebounder. JC transfer Matija Poscic is an experienced big man who will see playing time right away. 7-2 Kene Obi and Mario Stula will also help in the frontcourt. As for the returnees, Karron Clarke leads the way. He can do a variety of things on the court, but is a very solid three-point shooter. He can also rebound fairly well. Senior Wesley Green has a chance to start in the post. He finished last year strong and needs to become more consistent. On the perimeter, the Blue Demons need to find a point guard. Sophomore Will Walker could be the best pure point guard on the team. He is quick and can score and distribute. Junior Jabari Currie is a good shooter who led the team in assists last year and takes care of the ball. Cliff Clinkscales is quick and can pass well. Projected Finish: No Postseason

15. South Florida: The Bulls avoided the cellar last year, finishing 3-13 in the conference and only 12-18 overall. It was an improvement over the year before, when USF won only 7 games. However, this year the Bulls bring in a new coach, former Arkansas head man Stan Heath, who was fairly successful in Fayetteville. Due to the lack of success South Florida has seen, one of the best centers in the country lives in relative anonymity. Kentrell Gransberry has one of the best statistical seasons of any big man in the nation last year, averaging close to 16 points and over 11 rebounds per game, while shooting very efficiently from the field. He is an excellent rebounder who is tough to stop around the basket. Point guard Chris Howard provides a good perimeter balance. He is a very good distributor who can also rebound fairly well and score a couple of baskets per game. Solomon Bozeman is a good scorer and a decent shooter who needs to provide production from the wing after playing the point last year. On the wing will be junior Jesus Verdejo, a very good scorer who is also athletic and can finish around the basket. Adamu Saaka and freshman Dante Curry provide depth. Rounding out the lineup will be either forward Aris Williams, a solid rebounder who wasn’t able to practice until recently due to offseason surgery on his knee, or newcomers Mobolaji Ajayi and Orane Chin. Ajayi is a JC transfer who can run the floor and provides athleticism, while Chin is a tremendous athlete and defender who will score and rebound. IUPUI transfer Mohommed Esseghir will back-up Gransberry. Projected Finish: No Postseason

16. Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights still have not taken the huge step forward that the RU football team did. They had 20 wins four years ago, but dropped to 10 the next year. They had 19 wins two years ago, but only had 10 last season. Without any sort of consistency from year-to-year, it is going to be tough for Rutgers to make waves in the Big East. RU does have some solid players though. JR Inman is an underrated player within the conference, but he has a chance to breakout this year. He is a good scorer and a very good rebounder who needs to become more consistent. Also up front will be 6-9 senior Byron Joynes and 6-11 sophomore Hamady Ndiaye, the only other two legitimate low-post options for Fred Hill. Joynes is a good rebounder and defender who lacks a consistent inside game, while Ndiaye is a good athlete who plays well around the rim. On the wing will likely be Jaron Griffin, a decent scorer and rebounder who was horrendous shooting the ball last year. Providing depth up front will be freshman Earl Pettis. In the backcourt, Anthony Farmer returns, but he will have to fight to regain his starting spot. He was a decent scorer and distributor, but he struggled mightily with his shot and playmaking abilities. Furthermore, freshmen Corey Chandler could make an immediate impact at guard. He is a big-time scorer who can get points in a variety of ways. Two other newcomers that will make an impact are point guard Mike Coburn and shooter Justin Sofman. Coburn can create for himself and his teammates, while Sofman is a long-range specialist. The only other factor in the backcourt will be returnee Courtney Nelson, who, like the rest of the Scarlet Knights, was an abysmal shooter last year.

Posted under Madness March Reviews

Player of the Year: Darren Collison, PG, UCLA

Newcomer of the Year: Kevin Love, UCLA

All-Conference Team:
G- Darren Collison, UCLA
G- O.J. Mayo, USC
F- Chase Budinger, Arizona
C- Kevin Love, UCLA
C- Brook Lopez, Stanford

Second Team:
G- Kyle Weaver, Washington State
G/F- Malik Hairston, Oregon
F- Ryan Anderson, California
F- Jon Brockman, Washington
F- Taj Gibson, USC

Third Team:
G- Derrick Low, Washington State
G- Bryce Taylor, Oregon
F- Lawrence Hill, Stanford
F- Jeff Pendergraph, Arizona State
C- DeVon Hardin, California

1. UCLA: The Bruins are sort of like the wannabe Florida Gators of the past two seasons; they have reached the Final Four twice, but have yet to reach the title game or win a national championship. To be honest, I’m expecting a very similar result this season. UCLA returns four starters from last year’s group, and brings in one of the best freshmen in the country in Kevin Love. He is one of the best big men in the country, and will prove that from day one. He is the best outlet passer to come along in years, which will enable UCLA to run more. Love is also a strong finisher and rebounder who can hit the mid-range jumper. The rest of the frontcourt is also very good. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute did not take the anticipated step forward last year, but is a tough match-up for opponents, and could see time at small forward this season. He needs to improve his ability to create scoring opportunities for himself if he is going to excel on the wing, though. Lorenzo Mata is a banger around the basket who rebounds and does the dirty work. Alfred Aboya is a solid performer off the bench, while James Keefe has talent. Last year, the Bruins had the best backcourt duo in the country in Darren Collison and departed All-American Arron Afflalo. Without Afflalo, though, Josh Shipp will have to step into his shoes and provide terrific production at both ends of the floor. He is capable of it. Hampered by injuries throughout his career, Shipp could have a break-out campaign this season. He is also a solid rebounder who takes care of the ball well. Collison is one of the best point guards in the country. He is a very good passer and shooter who is also a dynamite defender. Collison can knock down the three with consistency and might be the favorite for conference player of the year heading into the season. Russell Westbrook has shown flashes of his potential and could see some starting minutes at some point this season if Shipp has to move to small forward, while Michael Roll is a very good shooter. Projected Finish: NCAA

2. Washington State: The Cougars surprised everyone last season by going 13-5 in the Pac-10 and finishing second to UCLA, as well as garnering a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They were expected to finish in or near the cellar of the league heading into last year, but Tony Bennett, in his first season in Pullman, turned the program around. WSU is led by arguably the best backcourt duo in the country in Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver. They are both essentially interchangeable and will play both guard spots throughout the course of a game. Low has been compared by some to Steve Nash, and he is a high-energy player that always seems to be around the ball. He can create his own shot, and is also adept at finding his teammates. Weaver is one of the best all-around players in the country. He is not much of a shooter, but he does everything else very well. He is a terrific defender and is a tough match-up on the offensive end due to his size, athleticism, and length. Off the bench will be Taylor Rochestie, who started towards the end of the season. He takes good care of the ball, and is a good long-range shooter and defender. Sophomore Nikola Koprivica is a good scorer when going to the basket, while freshman Thomas Abercrombie was very solid on the team’s trip to Australia during the summer. Up front, the Cougars have a variety of options to throw at opponents. Small forward Daven Harmeling is a terrific long-range shooter on the wing, and he only improved as the season went on. He struggles mightily on the defensive end, though. Post players Robbie Cowgill and Aron Baynes are both 6-10 and give the Cougars a nice tandem inside. Cowgill is a decent scorer down low who can rebound, but he is one of the better post defenders on the team and is also a solid passer out of the low block. Baynes has improved in the offseason, and could be ready to become a go-to-guy down low for WSU. Junior Caleb Forrest and freshman Fabian Boeke will fight for minutes off the bench in the frontcourt. Boeke is a shooter, while Forrest is a decent inside player. Projected Finish: NCAA

3. Oregon: The Ducks were another surprise team in the Pac-10 last year. They always had the talent to make noise within the conference, but always fell short of the NCAA Tournament due to a variety of reasons. However, last season it all came together. Oregon garnered a No. 3 seed and reached the Elite Eight, but need to replace Aaron Brooks if it is going to come anywhere near repeating that. The Ducks still do an excellent backcourt duo in Tajuan Porter and Bryce Taylor. Porter is a 5-6 guard who can shoot extremely efficiently from behind the arc. However, he will have to become more of a point guard this season in the absence of Brooks. He is going to become more of a playmaker. Taylor became a better scorer and all-around player as the year went on, and should improve this season. He can shoot the ball from long-range and has developed a solid mid-range game. Taylor is also arguably the team’s best defender and is not afraid of taking it to the basket. Malik Hairston will likely move back to his natural position on the wing, and could be primed for a big year. He is one of the best all-around players in the conference, and has the ability to score both inside and outside. Hairston is also a solid rebounder who can defend. Providing depth on the perimeter will be freshman Kamyron Brown, who will play the point if Porter needs to move back to the wing, and redshirt freshman Lekendric Longmire. Up front, the Ducks are led by versatile big man Maarty Leunen. Leunen can score inside and is very consistent from beyond the arc. He can also bang down low and grab rebounds, and can also run the floor well. Leunen is also a decent defender who can find the open man if necessary. Joevan Catron will likely start next to him. He is a very solid defender down low, and can score around the basket. He also has a decent touch on his mid-range shot. Two other newcomers, forwards Drew Viney, a very good scorer who can shoot, and Frantz Dorsainvil, a decent bench performer, will provide depth. Projected Finish: NCAA

4. Stanford: The last time we saw the Cardinal in action, they were getting absolutely annihilated by Louisville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. This season, expect a much different last impression of Stanford. The main reason for the optimism, along with the return of five starters and every key member of last year’s rotation, is the outstanding frontcourt. Brook Lopez is a potential lottery pick who really came into his own down the stretch, and is very difficult to stop once he gets the ball in the paint. Defensively, he has long arms and good leaping ability to block shots. However, he is not eligible to play yet due to academics. If he misses a long period of time, this team will suffer. His brother, Robin, is a terrific shot-blocker and all-around defender who can also get baskets and rebounds in the paint. He does need to become more consistent offensively and with his ability to stay out of foul trouble. Lawrence Hill is one of the best small forwards in the country, and is ready to become a national name. He can score in several ways, and is a good rebounder. He can get points around the basket and in the mid-range, and is also capable of knocking down three-pointers consistently. He can also play down low if necessary. Fred Washington is a terrific passer and a solid rebounder who provides help on the wing. He is very versatile due to his all-around ability and size and strength. Taj Finger comes off the bench down low, and provides decent scoring and rebounding, while freshman Josh Owens will see some minutes. The backcourt, mostly the point guard position, will be the key. Anthony Goods is a natural shooting guard who is a solid scorer and three-point shooter, but he will have to handle the ball this year. He is a solid distributor but needs to improve his shooting inside the arc and has to take care of the ball. Mitch Johnson is a more natural point guard and can run the team well. He is also a solid ball-handler who doesn’t turn the ball over very often. Two scoring guards will also see time off the bench in Landry Fields and Kenny Brown. Fields is a good scorer and a decent rebounder who will help the Cardinal with his perimeter ability, while Brown is a good shooter who made the most of his time last season. San Francisco transfer Drew Shiller will also get minutes. Projected Finish: NCAA

5. USC: The Trojans will be one of the biggest stories to follow this season in college basketball. For one, they are finally a quality basketball program who will fight with UCLA for headlines in Los Angeles. More importantly, though, they welcome O.J. Mayo, the super-freshman who has been making waves in the recruiting world for years. He is a tremendous talent who can do everything on the court—and, unfortunately off the court too. During the past year, Mayo has been ejected for throwing a basketball into the stands after a dunk; suspended for “bumping” an official to the ground (go watch video of this, and tell me the ref didn’t flop); and cited for marijuana possession. On the court, though, he will make an immediate impact. He can score from anywhere on the court, and is a much better distributor than some give him credit for. He is extremely athletic and will dominate opposing guards early and often. Providing post balance will be sophomore Taj Gibson, one of the best young power forwards in the country. He is an outstanding rebounder and shot-blocker whose offensive game improved as the season went on. He has a variety of post moves around the basket and also can hit the mid-range jumper. The third potential first-round pick in the starting lineup is freshman Davon Jefferson, an athletic combo forward who can score both inside and outside. He is also a very good rebounder who needs to improve his defense. Daniel Hackett and Dwight Lewis will round out the starting five. Hackett started on the perimeter last season, and will do so again. He demonstrated his ability to be an outstanding defensive player, guarding players at a variety of positions. In the postseason, Hackett also showed he could score if necessary, as well as rebound and distribute. He might struggle to open the season, though, as Mayo elbowed him in a preseason practice, breaking his nose. Lewis is another 6-5 wing who will start. He is a good long-range shooter who will have to become more aggressive shooting the ball this season. Lewis is also one of the top defensive players on the team. The aforementioned perimeter group of Hackett, Lewis, and Mayo need to help make up for the losses of early-entry draft-picks Gabe Pruitt and Nick Young. Off the bench will be big men Rousean Cromwell, Keith Wilkinson, and Mamadou Diarra. Cromwell has provided very good defense and solid rebounding in his career so far; Wilkinson is a decent inside-outside scorer; and Diarra will miss six weeks due to hernia surgery. Freshmen Marcus Simmons and Angelo Johnson will see minutes on the perimeter. Simmons is a tremendous defender and athlete, while Johnson might be the purest point guard on the roster. Projected Finish: NCAA

6. Arizona: The Wildcats could easily be included in this season’s preseason Top 25, but with how loaded the Pac-10 is this year, they aren’t even in the top half of the league. That says a lot about the conference, and how good it is this season. Arizona loses three starters, but brings in quality newcomers and still has Lute Olson as the head coach. As long as he is around, the Wildcats will contend. However, three of the past four seasons, they have won only 20 games and have not seemed like the Final Four contender they were in the past. This year’s team starts with forward Chase Budinger, a budding All-America. He is an unbelievable athlete who was also one of the top young volleyball players in the country before arriving at Arizona (stop me if you’ve heard that before), and could be primed for a huge season. He can knock down the three consistently, and is also solid at driving to the basket and finishing. He does need to become more aggressive with taking the ball to the rim, and needs to improve his man-to-man defense. Joining him up front is sophomore forward Jordan Hill, who saw his minutes rise towards the end of the season. He is one of the top shot-blockers in the conference, and is improving his offense and rebounding. He needs to get better with creating his own shot with post moves down low. Kirk Walters missed nearly all of last season with mononucleosis, but will return this year to provide solid defense and scoring, as well as decent rebounding. Freshman Jamelle Horne could start in a smaller frontcourt if Walters struggles. He is a very good athlete who can score and rebound, and is also a tremendous defender. Senior Bret Brielmaier will provide depth down low, while freshmen Alex Jacobson, a 7-1 center, and Zane Johnson, a 6-6 athletic forward, will push for time. In the backcourt, the Wildcats need to replace four-year starter Mustafa Shakur, but freshman Jerryd Bayless should be up to the task. Bayless is an outstanding athlete who is an explosive scorer and would be a much more recognizable name if it weren’t for the other freshmen in the Pac-10 like O.J. Mayo and Kevin Love. He is capable of lighting up the scoreboard, but is also a solid defender and can distribute the ball. He will have to do a lot of the latter this season at the point. Senior Jawann McClellan has been a solid scorer throughout his career at Arizona—a career hampered by injuries. He is a good long-range shooter who hit a slump late in the year, but he should bounce back and be a solid contributor on the wing again. If Bayless can’t run the point as a freshman, sophomore Nic Wise will likely step in. He is very quick and can play defense and run the team. Senior Daniel Dillon is a lockdown defender, and freshman Laval Lucas-Perry will see time. Projected Finish: NCAA

7. Washington: The Huskies have some of the best talent in the conference, but they could be one of the odd teams out of the NCAA Tournament if the newcomers don’t produce immediately. Like Arizona at No. 6 above them, that is because of the depth and talent in the Pac-10 this season. UW is coming off of a disappointing season last year, going only 8-10 in conference play and missing the postseason completely after being projected as a Top 25 team going into the year. This year’s group will be led by its talented frontcourt duo of power forward Jon Brockman and small forward Quincy Pondexter. Brockman was one of the most underrated big men in the country last season after averaging almost a double-double but being overshadowed by lottery pick Spencer Hawes. He is a terrific rebounder who is relentless at both ends of the floor and is efficient shooting the ball. Pondexter had a terrific start to last season, but struggled in Pac-10 play. He is very athletic and can run the floor well, but is not a great shooter from the perimeter. Replacing Hawes in the starting lineup will likely be a freshman. Matthew Bryan-Amaning is a highly-regarded post player who can rebound and play defense very well, while Darnell Gant is another good scorer and rebounder. Justin Holiday is more of a small forward who can do a variety of things on the court. Upperclassmen Artem Wallace, who played well late, and Joe Wolfinger, who is returning from injury, will push for time. In the backcourt, Justin Dentmon and Ryan Appleby both return. Dentmon is a decent point guard who struggled mightily in Pac-10 play last season after playing very well as a freshman. He did not take care of the ball at all, with more turnovers than assists, and was not accurate shooting the ball. However, he still has ample talent and is a good defensive player. Appleby is a very good three-point shooter who can get hot from beyond the arc and provide the Huskies with yet another offensive option. He is also a ridiculously accurate free-throw shooter. Coach Lorenzo Romar has talked about using a three-guard attack this season, and if that is the case, senior Tim Morris and sophomore Adrian Oliver will fight for the job. Morris had a very good summer, while Oliver takes care of the ball and can rebound as well as distribute. Joel Smith is athletic and can shoot. Projected Finish: NCAA

8. California: If the Golden Bears were in, say, the Big Ten, they would definitely be in the upper half of the conference and possibly an NCAA Tournament team. However, since they’re in the Pac-10, the Bears are in the bottom third of the league and will struggle to reach the Big Dance. The Pac-10, no matter how good it is, will not 80% of its teams into the NCAA Tournament. Cal does have the inside duo to make a move up in the standings this season in Ryan Anderson and DeVon Hardin. Anderson was one of the best freshmen in the country last season after not being highly regarded heading into the season. He is a very good scorer who can get points inside and outside, and is a very good rebounder. He can play both forward positions, and might be more natural on the wing. However, he tends to turn the ball over often. Hardin played in only eleven games last season, but should be healthy this year. If so, he immediately becomes one of the best rebounders and shot-blockers in the conference. He is a very athletic big man but needs to improve his offensive game. Starting next to them will be Theo Robertson, a good three-point shooter who will play more of a perimeter role than he did last year due to Hardin’s injury. He is also a very solid defender. Also fighting for time at the three will be Eric Vierneisel, a solid shooter on the wing. Providing depth in the frontcourt will be Duke transfer Jamal Boykin, a decent combo forward, sophomore Jordan Wilkes, a talented big man, and a slew of freshmen. In the backcourt will be point guard Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher. Randle is small but extremely quick, and takes care of the ball very well. He can get into the lane on defenders and score as well. Christopher is a good scorer from the wing who will see more minutes this season. Nikola Knezevic will provide depth. Projected Finish: NIT

9. Arizona State: The Sun Devils are coming off of a horrible 2-16 Pac-10 year, with an 8-22 record overall. However, fans in Tempe are excited for the upcoming season. Why? Even in the loaded Pac-10, the Sun Devils have a chance to make a move in the standings. The newcomers are a major reason for that optimism. There is a chance that three fresh faces will start immediately, including 6-10 Duke transfer Eric Boateng, five-star wing James Harden, and highly-touted point guard Jamelle McMillan. Boateng is a very good shot-blocker and rebounder who can provide decent finishing around the basket. Harden is arguably the team’s highest profile recruit—ever. He can do a variety of things on the court and will be ASU’s go-to-guy on the wing right away. He can score very well, and is also a decent rebounder and defender. McMillan is the son of Nate McMillan, the former Seattle Sonics’ guard and current Portland Trail Blazers head coach. He could be ready to run the team from opening day. Furthermore, ASU returns All-Pac-10 big man Jeff Pendergraph, as well as three other starters from a season ago. Pendergraph is one of the best centers in the country, and he will only improve with the added help this season. He is a good scorer and a terrific rebounder. He is also an efficient shooter from the field. On the perimeter, Christian Polk was second on the team in scoring last year. Polk is a very good three-point shooter, though he did hit bouts of inconsistency with his jumpshot last year. He won’t have to do as much on the wing this season with the addition of Harden. Derek Glasser and Jerren Shipp both started last season, but need to work to regain those starting positions. Glasser is a good distributor and doesn’t turn the ball over often, while Shipp is a solid player at both ends of the court. Antwi Atuahene was also decent on the perimeter. He can do a variety of things, including scoring and distributing. Depth in the frontcourt needs to develop, but the Sun Devils don’t have a lot of height on the roster besides Boateng and Pendergraph. Projected Finish: No Postseason

10. Oregon State: The Beavers are clearly the worst team in the conference. While the other nine teams all have postseason aspirations, OSU is coming off of an 11-21 (3-15 in the Pac-10) campaign and lost three starters, but unlike Arizona State, did not improve very much. However, the Beaves do bring in a big-time transfer at center in former Kansas big man C.J. Giles. He could transform OSU into a team that the top clubs can’t overlook every night out. He is a potential first-round—and possibly lottery—pick who was kicked off the Jayhawks for off-court problems. The 6-11 center is not eligible until December, but can be a force at both ends of the floor, especially in terms of blocked shots. Offensively, he can score inside and also step out and hit the mid-range jumper. The other go-to-guy in the frontcourt is Marcel Jones, a very good scorer who can get points both inside and outside. He can rebound well and is a solid defensive player, and will get help up front with the addition of Giles. Rounding out the frontcourt will be sophomore Roeland Schaftenaar, who will likely start until Giles becomes eligible. He is a solid inside scorer. Calvin Hampton and freshmen Sean Carter and Omari Johnson will also push for time. The backcourt is led by sophomore Josh Tarver, one of the more underrated guards in the conference. He is a decent scorer but does not have any range on his shot, but is also a solid distributor and defender. Junior Jack McGillis played well last season, providing a good three-point shooter and scorer. He could garner a starting spot on the wing, along with freshman Lathen Wallace. Seth Tarver, Josh’s younger brother, also returns. Projected Finish: No Postseason

Posted under March Madness History

Teams participating in the 2007 IHSA State Final tournament will be honored with a banquet at the Double Tree Hotel and Conference Center on each Thursday evening prior to the games.  Both banquets are sponsored by State Farm Insurance, which has its headquarters in Bloomington.  The banquets will begin at 6:30 p.m. 

The Class A March Madness Celebration Team Banquet is Thursday, February 22.  The Class AA March Madness Celebration Team Banquet is Thursday, March 1. 

The State Farm March Madness Celebration Team Banquets will feature a video highlight of the teams participating in the IHSA State Final.  The video highlight is being produced by Jim Mattson of WHOI TV.  The program for each banquet also includes recognition of the coaches and players from each of the competing teams.

Banquet Time Schedule
6:30 - Welcome
6:45 – Meal
7:15 – Introduction of Teams
7:30 – Video Highlight
8:00 - Conclusion

Posted under March Madness History

Several special souvenirs of the 2007 March Madness Experience™ will be created for fans throughout the state.

The IHSA Store will be open in the Exhibit Hall both weekends. It also is open 24 hours a day on the IHSA Web Site. Among the unique items offered this year will be:

• the 2007 official commemorative Experience March Madness™ Playing in Peoria t-shirt (adult white, price varies for youth sizes and ash color);
• special mini and regulation size Wilson March Madness and/or March Madness Experience basketballs;
• five great pieces in the IHSA’s Bean A. Tude Collection of Add A. Tudes This year these are available: “Cager” (basketball), “Stripe” (official), “Que Bee” (football), “Digger” (volleyball) and the Orange and Blue version of the original “Add A. Tude”.

Posted under March Madness History

The March Madness Experience™ is an interactive basketball playground for children of all ages housed in the 68,000 square foot Exhibit Hall of the Peoria Civic Center. It includes a variety of basketball skill events, historical displays and educational venues. There is a media area where radio and television stations covering March Madness® originate their shows. Fans without tickets to the games can watch them in the Exhibit Hall on big screen televisions. Fans in need of hotel/motel rooms in the greater Peoria area can make reservations at the Information Booth just outside the entrance to the Exhibit Hall. Throughout the time it is open to the public, numerous special activities are conducted on the three full-sized Center Courts at the March Madness Experience™, including the hugely popular Peoria Journal Star Jump Ball Jamboree. More than 2,000 volunteers, not only from the Greater Peoria Area but from throughout Illinois, are needed to keep the March Madness Experience™ operating during both weekends of 2007. It will be open Thursday through Saturday each weekend on the following time schedule:

Class A (March 8-10)
Thursday: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Class AA (March 15-17)
Thursday: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Any person interested in becoming a volunteer should contact the Volunteer Hotline at 309-676-0303.The state tournament games will be played in the Carver Arena. On the Class AA weekend, the Scholastic Bowl State Final Tournament will be conducted Saturday (March 17) in the meeting rooms of the Civic Center. The March Madness Experience™ is in the Exhibit Hall. All of these venues are under one Peoria Civic Center roof.

Posted under March Madness History

The annual COUNTRY Insurance & Financial Services Three-Point Showdown competition will be held in Class A and Class AA on the same weekend as the respective state final tournament, except for the Queen of The Hill, which remains on Saturday night of the Class AA state final.

A total of 64 shooters will compete in the preliminaries on the Redbird Arena floor each Thursday night, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Fans can watch the shooters for free each Thursday evening. The class finals will be held between semifinal games on Saturday each weekend. Queen of the Hill will be crowned Saturday night of the Class AA weekend between the third place and championship game.

Posted under March Madness History

Several special souvenirs of the 2007 March Madness Experience™ will be created for fans throughout the state.

The IHSA Store will be open in the Exhibit Hall both weekends. It also is open 24 hours a day on the IHSA Web Site. Among the unique items offered this year will be:

• the 2007 official commemorative Experience March Madness™ Playing in Peoria t-shirt (adult white, price varies for youth sizes and ash color);
• special mini and regulation size Wilson March Madness and/or March Madness Experience basketballs;
• five great pieces in the IHSA’s Bean A. Tude Collection of Add A. Tudes This year these are available: “Cager” (basketball), “Stripe” (official), “Que Bee” (football), “Digger” (volleyball) and the Orange and Blue version of the original “Add A. Tude”.