Tonight we start the push to the largest Division III basketball tournaments ever. Over the next 12 days 122 bids – 59 for the men and 63 for the women – will be dished out with most of the AQs coming next weekend and all the Pool B and C bids announced on Monday, February 27.

(Not sure what Pool B and C are? Wonder why it’s 59 and 63 teams? Check out Sunday’s Dose).

As mentioned on the front page, this is our favorite time of the year. It’s also our busiest with lots of scores to chase (unless, ahem, our SID friends post them) and stories to watch. We’ll continue use the Dose to share some of them when we can. Just don’t be surprised if they are posted in the single digit AM hours.

Tonight the Lake Michigan Conference tips off its men’s tournament with Lakeland (20-5) as the top seed. Led by senior Germayne James (pictured), the Muskies are ranked No. 6 in the recent Midwest regional rankings with a resume that includes a win over WIAC contender UW-Stevens Point and an eight point lose to No. 5 Hope.

But being the favorite hasn’t always been a blessing in the LMC tournament. Twice teams with losing records have captured the automatic bid, most recently when Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE for those who don’t like typing) made the 2003 dance at just 13-15.

The ultimate Cinderella story would be Maranatha Baptist (1-22) which is winless against Division III. But they’ll get their chance to play into the tournament over the next 12 days, just like the majority of other teams.

And who knows what will happen? After all, Division III tournament play technically started Tuesday with Maranatha Baptist beating Alverno 57-50 in the LMC women’s tournament. The Crusaders picked a good time to get their first win against full Division III members.

So let the fun begin!