For two HBCU schools, the dream is alive. The dream to win an NCAA college basketball tournament in this year's field of 68. Although the path has not been easy, both teams are looking toward facing their counterparts in the opening round of the tournament.
For Hampton University, they took down Morgan State University, the regular season champions, in the finals of the MEAC tournament to win an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament field. Their reward - a daunting date with Duke in Charlotte on Friday. Hampton is one of four previous #15 seeds to defeat a #2 seed in the tournament. Hopefully, as a #16 seed, they can recapture the same magic this go around when they bump heads against a Top 5 team in Duke. Their game can be seen on TruTV this Friday at 3:30pm.
For Alabama State University, they do not get the luxury of resting until Friday before they play their first tournament game. Due to the new format, there will be 4 games played on Tuesday and Wednesday before the next round starts (previously the first round). To me it is like 3 additional "play-in" games to go along with the traditional single "play-in" game. Those games are held in Dayton and that is where we will find Alabama State as they take on the university of Texas-San Antonio for the right to play the top ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round (previously the first round) on Friday. Alabama State struggled at times during the season especially early on when at one point their overall record was a mere 6-16 at the end of January. Since then, they have compiled a record of 11-1, including a undefeated run through the SWAC conference tournament to win the automatic berth. You can also catch this game on TruTV this Wednesday at 7:00pm.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Wednesday, March 16th 2011 at 7:36PM
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