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So over here in Big 12 Country, and specifically in #EMAW Nation, we're just kickin' back with an adult beverage and enjoying the show today. There's a ton of action on tap, including some fun outside of Division I if you have the wherewithal to partake.
First, the Undercard
NCAA Division II steams toward the Elite Eight today as seven of the eight pairs of men's regional semifinals (all but the West, who held their semifinals yesterday) take place, along with one pair of women's regional semifinals (the Midwest Region, where Drury was the host for both the men and women by virtue of holding the top seed on both sides).
NCAA Division III is off today, having finalized their Final Four pairings last night. Next Thursday in Salem, Virginia, Wisconsin-Whitewater will meet Illinois Wesleyan, and NESCAC conference foes Amherst and Williams will renew their ancient and bitter rivalry in the other men's semifinal. In Stevens Point, Wisconsin, the women take the court Thursday with Montclair State meeting Tufts and Wisconsin-Whitewater facing Whitman. Both finals are on Friday.
NAIA Division I is also quiet today; the men's tournament begins on Wednesday at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City while the women get together on Wednesday in Frankfort, Kentucky. Both tournaments are 32-team fields playing over the course of a week on one court. One of the greatest events in sports, and sadly underappreciated.
Finally, NAIA Division II is off today, the standard off day between the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. Tomorrow in Point Lookout, Missouri, the Indiana Wesleyan men take on Southeastern (FL) while Midland (NE) meets Robert Morris (IL). The women's semifinals, in Sioux City, Iowa, feature Saint Francis (IN) against Cardinal Stritch (WI) and Davenport (MI) taking on a surprise opponent, the seventh-seeded College of the Ozarks.
Now, the Main Events
There are six women's championship games today, most of them minor league bid-deciders. At 11am CT, Delaware takes on James Madison for the Colonial title, while at noon on ESPNU Wright State faces Wisconsin-Green Bay in the Horizon League final. Also at noon, Stephen F. Austin's women try to join their male colleagues in the NCAA Tournament, taking on their eternal rivals Northwestern State. In the Northeast Conference, Robert Morris (PA) meets Saint Francis (PA) at 2pm on ESPNU, and Florida Gulf Coast clashes with Stetson in the Atlantic Sun on ESPN3. At 3:07, the ladies' version of Arch Madness tips off on ESPN3 with Indiana State squaring off against Wichita State.
Which leaves us, finally, with the five games you really care about.
At noon on ESPN, Duke and Virginia clash for the ACC title. Also at noon, the Atlantic 10 final tips off on CBS, with Virginia Commonwealth meeting Saint Joseph's, and Georgia State takes on Louisiana-Lafayette for the Sun Belt championship on ESPN2. At 2pm on ESPN, Florida and Kentucky go after the SEC championship; finally, at 2:30, Michigan and Michigan State do battle for the Big 10 crown on CBS.
There you have it. All sorts of basketball, and here's your open thread to hang out and party on.
Note: We will NOT have a separate open thread for Selection Sunday. We'll have a post up shortly after K-State's draw is revealed, at which time you can all migrate to discuss the bracket.