March 3
Two mid-major programs will be sitting and waiting by the phone on Selection Sunday, each with different expectations and hopes.

There are many pros and cons when looking at Butler. The Bulldogs lost in the quarterfinals of the Horizon League tournament to Wisconsin-Green Bay, a team that entered the contest with just eight wins. I know there will be some screaming and yelling that Butler doesn't belong in the Big Dance. Some will say the Horizon League doesn't deserve two bids.

Butler deserves to be invited to the NCAA Tournament. Check out the Bulldogs' recent track record, including last season's win over Wake Forest in the tourney.

Let me tell you something: Butler deserves to be invited. Check out the Bulldogs' recent track record, including last season's win over Wake Forest in the NCAA Tournament.

This season, coach Todd Lickliter's team went 25-5, including a 12-4 record in winning the Horizon regular-season title. There are lots of tough places to play in the Horizon League, including Detroit.

Butler posted a 25-5 record and beat Indiana, which finished in a four-way tie for the Big Ten regular-season championship. The Bulldogs also beat Ball State when the Cardinals were hot; remember, the MAC team upset Kansas and UCLA early in the season.

Butler closed well, winning nine of its final 11 games (including the tourney loss). The five losses overall came by single figures.

Let's hope Butler isn't penalized, passed over for somebody that had a mediocre year and a sub-par conference record. I don't want to hear the cry about schedule strength, because as we all know the Bulldogs would play almost anybody, but the bigger names usually dodge them.

Meanwhile, at Tennessee Tech, you have to feel for coach Jeff Lebo and his players. You have to feel his team's pain. After winning the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title, the Golden Eagles fell just short in the league tournament title game against coach Tevester Anderson's Murray State squad.

Tennessee Tech last made it to the Big Dance in 1963, and this program was oh-so-close. Lebo, the former North Carolina guard, has done a fantastic job, leading the school to the OVC regular-season title two straight seasons. The OVC tournament title game was a Maalox Masher, and the Racers found a way to get it done again, making it to the NCAAs for the fourth time in six seasons.

Tennessee Tech enjoyed a great, great season. While the Golden Eagles won't be going to the Big Dance, it will be interesting to see if the NIT comes calling. The NIT expanded to 40 teams, claiming it was going to take care of the mid-majors who had a great season but got bumped from he NCAAs. Lebo's team should be invited to the NIT.

Come Selection Sunday, Butler and Tennessee Tech will be anxiously awaiting some good news.

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