Army, The Citadel, Northwestern, St. Francis (NY) & William & Mary.

[Condem]

The only schools who have been playing major college hoop since 1947-48 that have not made the Dance. Northwestern??? Keep an eye on The Citadel out of the Southern Conference. 20-11, but have to get by Davidson. Coached by Ed Conroy, who is the cousin of renowned author Pat Conroy (Lords of Dicipline)
Interesting read in yesterdays Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/sports/ncaabasketball/03citadel.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=Pat%20Conroy&st=cse

[happyiowan]

1. Army 's the big surprise. With Knight and Coach K.

Had the chance to meet Pat Conroy at the bookstore I was managing in Savannah in 1994. One eccentric individual. Wearing a Red Sox hat. Very disheveled, otherwise. Never forget him.

[Captain Hilts]

3. NCAA tournament was half the size it is now back then. The NIT really meant something...

for all the good schools that didn't get in.

[happyiowan]

4. In essence it's every school now, Captain

The conferencs tournaments open the door for anybody. Imagine going through your league undefeated then getting beat in the first round of your tourney. One and done. Except for the Ivy League, is there any conference that doen't have one? A great time of year.

[Captain Hilts]

5. I love the tournament. It's kind of like World Cup soccer, it is actually possible..

for a small school, poor country to beat some of the big boys.

[Condem]

2. The Citadel, hell. Watch out for Northwestern.

Beat Purdue at West Lafayette, tonight. Run the table at the Big Ten Tourney and they are in. BABY.