BUTLER BULLDOGS

1. If your erection lasts for more than four hours, Brad Stevens may know how to help. Prior to becoming a college basketball coach, Butler coach Brad Stevens worked for Indianapolis-based drug company Eli Lilly, makers of Cialis. That Stevens worked for Eli Lilly was no surprise, given that he played high school basketball in lily-white Zionsville and then played in college at (mostly) lilly-white DePauw. The Kevin Bacon department reports that Zionsville is also the hometown of Colorado Avalanche defenseman John-Michael Liles and Cleveland Indians pitcher Tom Mastny. And while we're at it, other DePauw graduates include the chick who started Angie's List, Brad Brownell (coach of the evil Wright State Raiders, one of Butler's 3 losses this year), and Steve Hollar (who played the guy who was benched for violating Norman Dale's four-passes-until-you-shoot rule in Hoosiers). Coach Stevens is only the second drug-selling coach to take his team to the NCAA tournament, however. And the first coach to do it, Kevin Mackey with Cleveland State in 1986, also lives in Indianapolis as a scout for the Pacers. Doses! One for 2, three for 5!

2. Mayor of Swish City. Butler guard A. J. Graves was the subject of a feature in the 2007 NCAA Final Four program entitled "Mayor of Swish City." A takeoff on the name of his hometown of Switz City, Indiana (population 311), the full-page color photo suggested that the town might what to consider a name change. As we told you in this spot last year, A.J. is the third Graves brother to play for Butler. Oldest bro, Matthew, helped Butler to its first NCAA Tournament in 35 years in 1996-97, and current assistant coach Andrew played on three Butler NCAA tourney teams, including the one that lost to Florida in OT in 2000. The Graves' high school, White River Valley, is actually a consolidation of several smaller schools. One of the schools that became White River Valley was L&M High School, which also has had some players worthy of being from "Swish City." The 1984 L&M team went undefeated in the regular season and included IU's Jeff Oliphant and Tony Patterson, who played for Purdue and SMU. The sixth man on that L&M team was none other than Ollie, who is famous for the underhand swish.

3. Butler hates playing mid-majors and hates Bruce Pearl. Butler's only three losses this year came at the hands of fellow mid-major programs Wright State, Cleveland State and Drake. Contrast that with Butler's 5-0 record against teams from the "power conferences." The Bulldogs beat Michigan, beat Florida State, won at Virginia Tech, beat Texas Tech in Lubbock, and made Thad's back hurt worse than normal by beating Ohio State by 20. Although playing another mid-major, South Alabama, doesn't provide the underdog role, getting a 7-seed despite being ranked in the top 10 and having to play USA in Birmingham, is sure to make the Dawgs mad. Looking to the potential second-round matchup, another thing that makes Butler mad is Bruce Pearl. Prior to landing at Tennessee, Pearl was the coach of Butler's Horizon League foe, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Butler and UWM played some fierce battles and in one title game, Butler guard Avery Sheets hit a three to win, causing Pearl to cry. Look for the Bulldogs to make Bruce Pearl cry again. — Bulldog Lounge

SOUTH ALABAMA JAGUARS

1. It's the Jags baby... The University of South Alabama will be coming to a television near you this March. I'm guessing most of you are surprised that such a school exists. USA is a small school located in the Mobile area. That's pretty much as far south as you go in Alabama. Last year, they enrolled a little over 14,000 students (undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral), so it is indeed small. USA calls the Sun Belt Conference home, along with other teams like Florida International and Troy. However... this is a team that you shouldn't simply dismiss and it won't be their first time in the Tourney. In 1989, the Jaguars took out Alabama in the first round, and lost to Michigan in the second. Who won the whole shebang in 1989? That's right, Michigan. They also made a first round exit in 1991. The coach and the program have been there before, and they may turn some heads this year. More on that in a bit...

2. Coach Ron Arrow... This is Coach Arrow's second stint at the USA helm. He lead the Jags from 1987 through 1995, bringing home two conference titles and two NCAA berths; he also took Texas A&M - Corpus Christi last year. Arrow returns this year to add another Sun Belt title, and NCAA birth at USA. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to Coach Arrow, as his team is gearing up for the tournament. (Really... I did.) He describes the Jags as "an up tempo team" that's "fun to watch." He also noted the work ethic of his kids and thinks it's a team that "the public will like," especially those who haven't seen them play. Arrow is a good coach that stresses fundamentals and hard work with his kids. There was once another solid NCAA (football) coach by the name of Arrow. Coach Ed "Straight Arrow" Genero. This guy left his analyst job to take over a program guilty of NCAA violations that would make Kelvin Sampson blush. He may have only won 1 game, but come on, he suited up a team made of 20 kids (all walk-ons). The kicker from that team did go on to have a somewhat fruitful career.

3. Who to watch for... Guard Demetric Bennett is the best player on the team, and in the conference. This year, he's averaging 19.5 point, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game. At 6"4'205, Bennett is big enough to take it hard to the basket, but he's also a high percentage shooter (48% from the floor, 83% from the line, and 40% from beyond the arc.) Arrow described him as "a go to guy" and a complete package that has the talent to play at the next level. I agree. Paired with their other guard, Daon Merritt (11.3/2.8/5.5), the have possibly one of the most explosive back courts in the country. Third guard, Domonic Tilford (13.3/2.5/2.1), adds speed and flexibility to the mix.

Why will they go far? We've already covered the backcourt, and they will be dangerous. Let's talk about size. This team may be the biggest team that makes the tournament. They've got two kids at 6"9', two at 6'7" and Bennett at 6'4". They most definitely have the size to go up against any other team in the country. However, they are very fast and well conditioned. USA runs very well, won't get run out of the gym, and won't be doggin' in it the fourth quarter. They're size and speed gives them a huge rebounding advantage (they average almost 40 rebounds a game.) Yeah, they may not have UNC, Duke, or Memphis on their schedule, but they did have Vandy. Anyone been watching Vandy lately? I'm pretty sure they can play some ball. So, how did USA stack up against Vandy you ask? Although they went down 91 - 88, they did so in two overtimes, IN Nashville. No one else has done that this year. They can play with the big boys. Arrow noted that they let Vandy "get away," and they know they can play with anyone. He added that the Vandy game "got us ready for the rest of this year."

The coach has experience in the tournament, the team is big and fast, and they have shown they can play with teams from the bigger conferences. Look, they're going to come in probably ranked as an 8 or 9 seed. I guarantee they win their opening game, hands down. Depending who they draw from there on, who knows what can happen. When you see USA in your office poll, give them a look, even though you may have never heard of them. The Jags may end up being this year's George Washington, and if they do, remember where you heard it.... — Michael Cunius

2. Coach Ron Arrow... This is Coach Arrow's second stint at the USA helm. He lead the Jags from 1987 through 1995, bringing home two conference titles and two NCAA berths; he also took Texas A&M - Corpus Christi last year. Arrow returns this year to add another Sun Belt title, and NCAA birth at USA. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to Coach Arrow, as his team is gearing up for the tournament. (Really... I did.) He describes the Jags as "an up tempo team" that's "fun to watch." He also noted the work ethic of his kids and thinks it's a team that "the public will like," especially those who haven't seen them play. Arrow is a good coach that stresses fundamentals and hard work with his kids. There was once another solid NCAA (football) coach by the name of Arrow. Coach Ed "Straight Arrow" Genero. This guy left his analyst job to take over a program guilty of NCAA violations that would make Kelvin Sampson blush. He may have only won 1 game, but come on, he suited up a team made of 20 kids (all walk-ons). The kicker from that team did go on to have a somewhat fruitful career.

3. Who to watch for... Guard Demetric Bennett is the best player on the team, and in the conference. This year, he's averaging 19.5 point, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game. At 6"4'205, Bennett is big enough to take it hard to the basket, but he's also a high percentage shooter (48% from the floor, 83% from the line, and 40% from beyond the arc.) Arrow described him as "a go to guy" and a complete package that has the talent to play at the next level. I agree. Paired with their other guard, Daon Merritt (11.3/2.8/5.5), the have possibly one of the most explosive back courts in the country. Third guard, Domonic Tilford (13.3/2.5/2.1), adds speed and flexibility to the mix.

Why will they go far? We've already covered the backcourt, and they will be dangerous. Let's talk about size. This team may be the biggest team that makes the tournament. They've got two kids at 6"9', two at 6'7" and Bennett at 6'4". They most definitely have the size to go up against any other team in the country. However, they are very fast and well conditioned. USA runs very well, won't get run out of the gym, and won't be doggin' in it the fourth quarter. They're size and speed gives them a huge rebounding advantage (they average almost 40 rebounds a game.) Yeah, they may not have UNC, Duke, or Memphis on their schedule, but they did have Vandy. Anyone been watching Vandy lately? I'm pretty sure they can play some ball. So, how did USA stack up against Vandy you ask? Although they went down 91 - 88, they did so in two overtimes, IN Nashville. No one else has done that this year. They can play with the big boys. Arrow noted that they let Vandy "get away," and they know they can play with anyone. He added that the Vandy game "got us ready for the rest of this year."

The coach has experience in the tournament, the team is big and fast, and they have shown they can play with teams from the bigger conferences. Look, they're going to come in probably ranked as an 8 or 9 seed. I guarantee they win their opening game, hands down. Depending who they draw from there on, who knows what can happen. When you see USA in your office poll, give them a look, even though you may have never heard of them. The Jags may end up being this year's George Washington, and if they do, remember where you heard it.... — Michael Cunius

FLORIDA

1. Joakim Noah Is A Fancy Man. Everyone knows Joakim Noah is the son of French tennis great Yannick Noah. Joakim not only inherited his father's athletic ability, but apparently he picked up some European style from Yannick as well. Joakim was once photographed on campus wearing some sort of fancy, full-length man-dress. Not exactly intimidating civilian clothes for an elite center.

2. Lance Armstrong Could Teach The Team A Thing Or Two. Lee Humphrey missed two games this season with a separated shoulder, suffered after he fell off his bicycle. Humphrey was riding alone when he lost control of his bike and took a nasty spill. "Maybe it was defective spokes, maybe he needs training wheels," Billy Donovan surmised after the accident.

3. Billy Donovan Is A God. The Gator basketball program began play in 1915. Before Billy Donovan arrived in 1996, the Gators appeared in the AP poll a grand total of 42 weeks and made just five NCAA Tournament appearances. This year marks Donovan's eighth straight Tournament appearance, and the Gators have found themselves ranked in the AP poll 120 weeks during Billy the Kid's 10 seasons in Gainesville. Donovan also helped the O'Connell Center morph from a cavernous canvas-domed warehouse to one of the most intimidating atmospheres in basketball, thanks to a new roof and Donovan's creation of the "Rowdy Reptile" student section. — Roy Hutchins

SOUTH ALABAMA

1. "USA! USA!" Years ago, when I first heard the University of Arizona fans chanting "U of A! U of A!," I was wondering why they were so damn patriotic, as it sounded a hell of a lot like "USA! USA!" As if the American fans in Torino didn't already wear it out, you're going to get a lot more chants of "USA! USA!" as long as the Jaguars are in the tournament. The University of South Alabama proudly calls itself USA, and the fans will surely want to beat whoever tunes into the game over the head with it.

2. It Always Comes Back To Duke. USA head coach John Pelphrey can't get his last game as a Kentucky Wildcat out of his head. In 1992, the senior co-captain watched as Christian Laettner took Grant Hill's 75-foot overtime pass at the top of the key and put it in the bucket. Pelphrey couldn't blame himself for the loss, though; he went 5-for-7 from the field and 3-for-4 from downtown.

3. Once A Jaguar, Only A Jaguar. In USA's 43-year history, only four basketball players have been picked in the NBA draft, but no one has been picked since 1985, when two players were selected. Dexter Shouse has the honor of being the most recent draftee from USA, picked in the fourth round by the Lakers that year. Shouse never saw playing time until the 1989-90 season, when he saw 18 minutes in three games with the Philadelphia 76ers. He never played again after that. The other Jaguar drafted that year was Terry Catledge, who had the most successful post-USA NBA career. "Cat Man" was the 17th pick in 1985, selected by Philadelphia and played for the Bullets and Magic. USA sports fans do have one shining star to hitch their trailer to: Arizona Diamondback Luis Gonzalez, who batted in the World Series-winning run against the Yankees in 2001. Last month, Gonzo turned down an offer to play for the other USA baseball team in the World Baseball Classic. — Cyd Zeigler

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2. It Always Comes Back To Duke. USA head coach John Pelphrey can't get his last game as a Kentucky Wildcat out of his head. In 1992, the senior co-captain watched as Christian Laettner took Grant Hill's 75-foot overtime pass at the top of the key and put it in the bucket. Pelphrey couldn't blame himself for the loss, though; he went 5-for-7 from the field and 3-for-4 from downtown.

3. Once A Jaguar, Only A Jaguar. In USA's 43-year history, only four basketball players have been picked in the NBA draft, but no one has been picked since 1985, when two players were selected. Dexter Shouse has the honor of being the most recent draftee from USA, picked in the fourth round by the Lakers that year. Shouse never saw playing time until the 1989-90 season, when he saw 18 minutes in three games with the Philadelphia 76ers. He never played again after that. The other Jaguar drafted that year was Terry Catledge, who had the most successful post-USA NBA career. "Cat Man" was the 17th pick in 1985, selected by Philadelphia and played for the Bullets and Magic. USA sports fans do have one shining star to hitch their trailer to: Arizona Diamondback Luis Gonzalez, who batted in the World Series-winning run against the Yankees in 2001. Last month, Gonzo turned down an offer to play for the other USA baseball team in the World Baseball Classic. — Cyd Zeigler