Hmm, a CCIW team out of the tournament already. Tough draw for North Central, playing a strong team on the road in a physical first-round game and the result is not all that surprising. After tonight, one has to think St. Thomas could win Saturday at Lawrence as well, though the Tommies fed off their crowd quite a bit and won’t have more than 350 in the house on Saturday.

For Occidental to score 22 points in the first half without Sam Betty in the game (three fouls early) is not too surprising. To allow 12 points is pretty good by any stretch. That has become a game, however.

Gotta feel for the Plattsburgh player who missed both free throws. The Hamilton student section was primarily under the opposite basket in the second half, but walked to the other end during the time out. That’s why higher seeds get home-court advantage … scratch that, why they used to get home-court advantage. We’ll see our first neutral-site games of this tournament tomorrow.

Second year in a row Ursinus goes one-and-out at home to an Atlantic Region team. It could signify the beginning of the end for the Centennial as a serious March competitor. This is three years out of four that the Bears have lost an NCAA Tournament opener. It’s the Skyline’s first playoff win since 2003.

Elms was held at arm’s length pretty much the whole night. And now the baby is awake so I have to wrap up. Comments appreciated.