The First Time is Always Special

March 19, 2026

THE FIRST TIME

Once upon a time someone said, ‘There’s nothing quite like the first time.’ On Friday California Baptist and Queens will officially be dancing for the first time in school history.

We got to experience that euphoria last season, at the University of Nebraska Omaha. It’s a wonderful experience. The energy and excitement that the tournament generates is intoxicating. Once you punch your ticket, everything changes.

From sound of the final horn to Selection Sunday, it’s non-stop. You celebrate with your team, your friends and family. Then you have the trip back to campus, where students and fans are waiting to start another celebration. That following day is loaded with television, radio, and podcast appearances.

While the media blitz continues, you have staff and team meetings, and you try to figure out potential opponents. It’s one thing after another, but once that bracket is unveiled it’s back to business. Now you know your opponent, and you begin working on a game plan and scouting reports.

It’s business as usual for perennial tournament teams, but for the first-timers it’s overwhelming in a very good way.

Going to the NCAA Tournament for the first time has changed our basketball program and profile of our university. The amount of marketing and national attention is hard to quantify. You couldn’t afford to pay for that type of exposure, and you get it for free, by punching your ticket.

Our players will always remember that experience and I’m quite certain that Rick Croy (California Baptist) and Grant Leonard (Queens) will each have a similar story to tell. 

Queens will face Purdue at 7:35 EST and California Baptist and Kansas will tip-off at 9:45 pm.

GAMES I WILL BE WATCHING

North Dakota State (27-7) vs Michigan State (25-7)
I love this match up, NDSU has size and quickness and shooting in their backcourt. They remind me of our NCAA tournament team from last season. I think they will compete for the first 10 minutes before Michigan State physically wears them down. Lots of respect for both coaches. David Richman has won a lot of games in the Summit League and Tom Izzo has won a lot more games than most coaches.

Troy (22-11) vs. Nebraska (26-6)
Being in the state, how can you not cheer for Big Red to get their first tournament win. Troy has a really solid team, and they are tough. I’ve known Scott Cross for 20 years, he will have his team prepared and they will fight. Nebraska will win because they will put 5 guys on the floor that can shoot the 3-ball. This one will be closer than most people think.

Utah State (28-6) vs Villanova (24-8)
Tough game to pick a winner, but I’m giving the edge to Utah State. The Aggies are so disciplined.  MJ Collins can take over a game, and Mason Falslev is very efficient. This game is all about pace, and Villanova has a terrific freshman point guard in Acaden Lewis. The reward for the winner is a Sunday meeting with No. 1 Arizona.

LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING

AJ Dybantsa is one of the better freshmen I have seen since I coached Trae Young at Oklahoma. AJ has the total package -- size, skill, length -- and he knows how to play. BYU can go as far as he takes them. Not having their shooter Richie Saunders, who is out for the season, will stop them from playing the second weekend. AJ will be the first name called at the NBA draft.

Former Duke assistant Jai Lucas has done an outstanding job in his first year at the University of Miami. His team plays with great physicality, and he makes great second half adjustments for a young head coach. There were many who didn’t think this was a good hire. It wasn’t a good hire. It was a great hire.

How about the job Josh Schertz has done at Saint Louis. His team always plays connected and they don’t beat themselves. Love their high-scoring exciting style. Robbie Avila is an All-American. He’s one of those guys who doesn’t jump off the stat sheet, but he can play. He’s a perfect fit for a Josh Schertz coached team.

Clemson head coach Brad Bronwell always finds a way to win in the blue blood waters of the ACC. That league has always been tough for teams not named Duke or North Carolina. Other teams have had windows of success but haven’t been able to keep it from closing. But Coach Brownell has found a way to keep the window open at Clemson. They have a tough draw with Iowa and likely matchup with Florida if they can get past the Hawkeyes. Enjoy watching his team play.

DARK HORSES

Tom Izzo’s Spartans are a Final Four dark horse, for one simple reason -- because they are one of the toughest teams in the nation. Make no mistake, this team is talented, but it’s their toughness that’s so impressive. They are battle tested coming out of the Big 10 and Coach Izzo knows the way to Indianapolis.

For the same reasons, St. John’s is my other dark horse pick to make a run for Indy. Rick Pitino’s team is tough, and they play with that NYC defensive grit. Zuby Ejiofor is a winner. He gives his team whatever it needs on a given night. He sets the tone. Coach Pitino knows how to get a team to the Final Four.

THE FINAL FOUR

EAST: Duke is the top seed, but Jon Scheyer’s team comes limping into the tournament. Cameron Boozer is a pretty impressive freshman. He plays with the poise of a veteran. UConn and St. John’s could meet again down the road, but I’m going with Michigan State. They are flat out, just the toughest team in the field and have the ability to wear you down.

WEST: Arkansas’ Darius Acuff has already drawn comparisons to UConn great Kema Walker. Acuff certainly has the game to put a team on his back. Purdue is fresh off its Big Ten championship. There is a lot of momentum for Matt Painter and Purdue to get to the Final Four, but I’m rolling with Arizona. They are the most complete team in the field as far as depth and talent in their top 10 players.

MIDWEST: Alabama and Tennessee have the talent to make a run. Ryan Odom will have his Virginia team ready, and Iowa State is fully capable of getting to the third weekend of the tournament, but I like the Michigan Wolverines. They have the best and most unique size in the field. If it’s a half-court game, they will be hard to beat.

SOUTH: The winner of the Saint Mary’s vs Texas A&M game could get to the Sweet 16. Don’t sleep on Illinois or Nebraska. Brad Underwood and Fred Hoiberg can coach. Speaking of guys who can coach, when is Kelvin Sampson going into the Hall of Fame? The Cougars can really defend. If they get consistent offense, they will be a problem, but I’m picking Florida. The defending champs know the route and have a coach in Todd Golen that understands analytics in this format.