I am not a huge sports fan, but having grown up about 20 minutes away from the University of Kansas and the perennially basketball powerhouse Jayhawks – I do appreciate the fun of the NCAA March Madness. Running a little late this year – typically the second round of games are played over St. Patrick’s Day weekend – there are some fun underdog teams in the big dance – including our own Portland State ^[1].

After winning the Big Sky conference last Wednesday night at the Rose Garden, the Portland State Vikings makes their first ever appearance in the tournament. I’m a sucker for the underdog… like my personal little team that could. My alma mater, Drake University ^[2] in Des Moines, IA is also in the tourney. My Bulldogs make an appearance for the first time since a streak in 1971, 1970 and 1969 – where they lost in the final four to UCLA where the MVP was some guy named Lew Alcindor ^[3].

So I’d love to be able to cheer for two great little underdog teams – and because of the brackets, it would be possible for PSU and Drake to meet in the final game… but the Vikings take on Kansas in the first round on Thursday, and as I said – I practically grew up in Lawrence, so I’m sorry Portland State fans, your first game in the big dance will also be your last. At least this time around.