So Day 2 sucked even more than I first thought because almost no games were televised. And unlike Day 1 games, the games last night were pretty close games that came down to the wire.
We are now down to 29 teams left that could end their streak of never making it to the tourney. Bryant and St. Francis (BKN) both lost. That means there's no chance of St. Francis playing St. Francis and me getting to use one of my favorite dad jokes: "Bet the house on St. Francis!" Oh well. Better luck next year, I guess.
And we are now down to 43 teams that have not made it to the tourney this century. San Jose State got knocked off.
Things pick up today on Day 3. We have a couple of day games and the Missouri Valley and West Coast conferences kick off their tourneys. Quarterfinals for the Big South, Horizon, Mountain West, OVC, and Patriot conferences. And the semifinals for the Atlantic Sun.
The Never Made It Teams playing today: 5
Haven't Made It This Century Teams playing today: 8
Day 3 was a massacre for these hopeful teams. Only two advanced and one was because they were playing each other.
We are now down to
24 teams left that could end their streak of never making it to the tourney. Army, Youngstown State, Longwood, and Stetson all lost. Fun fact: Army actually won a bid to the tourney back in the 60's, but turned it down to play in the NIT. Oopsie.
And we are now down to
37 teams that have not made it to the tourney this century. Charleston Southern (1997), Navy (1998), Illinois State (1998), Tennessee State (1994), Evansville (1999), and Portland (1996) all lost, as well.
So Army, Navy, and Air Force all lost today. I couldn't find the results for the Marines or the Space Force, though.
Another light day today with only 14 games on tap. But Ivy League plays tonight, so one or two more teams could be eliminated from the Not This Century Club.
The Never Made It Teams playing today: 1
The Citadel Bulldogs
Haven't Made It This Century Teams playing today: 5
Missouri State Bears
VMI Keydets
Loyola Marymount Lions
San Francisco Dons
Santa Clara Broncos