If anyone watched the ESPN NCAA selection Sunday you probably noticed the small segment 2/3 of the way into the broadcast where an ESPN analyst, his name escapes me, (can anyone confirm whether it was Seth Davis?) talked about East Tennessee State University's NCAA tournament history.
He said that in the last 20 years East Tennessee State University (ETSU) has only lost in the first round by less than three points once. That was in 1990 to Georgia Tech 99-83.
If you look at their entire tournament history, which admittedly isn't much, it really is quite impressive. In 1989 as a No. 16 seed, they came very close 72-71 to knocking off No. 1 Oklahoma and as ESPN put it "Only a Mookie Blaylock basket at the end saved them" (from becoming the first No. 1 seed ever to lose to a No. 16).
In sum, their tournament history looks like this beyond their 1968 opening round win under a different format:
1989 as a No. 16 seed lost to Oklahoma 72-71
1990 as a No. 13 seed lost to Ga. Tech 99-83
1991 as a No. 10 seed lost to Iowa 76-73
1992 as a No. 14 defeated Arizona 87-80 but lost to Michigan 102-90 in Round Two
2003: as a No. 15 seed lost to Wake Forest 76-73
2004: as a No. 13 seed lost to Cincinnati 80-77
What can be concluded from all this?
Are the Buccaneers simply a tough-luck loser, or are they primed for a break out?
While a loss is still a loss, they've lost so impressively against a diverse variety of college basketball's traditional powerhouses that you have to think some experience was gained along the way.
In addition these seven appearances in 20 years is also quite impressive for such a small school, one that boasts slightly over 13,000 students, plays in a 6,000 seat arena, yet has been playing collegiate basketball since 1918-1919.
I believe if any team can make tournament history it is them, and that is why I picked them in my bracket to do just that. While it may appear misinformed, having people make bold predictions is what make March truly earn the Madness label.
Consider that the Johnson City, Tennessee school will be losing their two leading scorers in Courtney Pigram and Kevin Tiggs to
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