NCAA Tournament “Upon Us” Notes

Some interesting teams won Conference Tournaments, to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

Those include Cincinnati University, the 1961 and 1962 champions, winning it all, after their great player Oscar Robertson had graduated, St. Louis University, which won the Atlantic 10 Tournament, evoking memories of their glory days with Ed Macauley and Cal Irvine which had a (30-5) record.

Elsewhere, Michigan State now 40 years removed from the Earvin “Magic” Johnson/Greg Kelser led 1979 title won the Big Ten Tournament defeating in state rival, Michigan, whose only title was 30 years ago.

The defending NCAA Champion, Villanova, also the 2016 title holder, won an unprecedented third straight Big East Tournament, winning a thriller vs Seton Hall.

The Pirates (Seton Hall) were the 1999 NCAA Tournament second place team, losing a heartbreaking game to Michigan. They did qualify for the 2019 NCAA Tournament.