odds & ends.

Best quote of the tournament (so far):
There is a simple philosophy two balls fit through one hole was a little tough tonight. Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in awhile, but quite frankly we didn't do that either.
Southern Utah women's head coach Steve Hodson, after losing to IUPUI 62-34.

Biggest disappointment:
Geoff Payne, Southern Utah. The league's Newcomer of the Year went 0-for-the night from the free throw line in losing to IPFW by four points.

Biggest surprise:
UMKC. Both the men's and women's team ignored their #7 seedings and played their hearts out. While the men's team ultimately lost a heart-breaker, they gave IUPUI all it could handle. We'll see if the women's team continues its Cinderella story.

Best pep band (so far):
UMKC Kangaroos Pep Band (I know, I'm going to get hammered by my beloved JagBand. I love you guys, but the UMKC band impressed me the other night).

Best women's players (so far):
Janae Voelker, ORU
Jernisha Cann, IUPUI
Julia Whitted, IUPUI
Johnna Lewis-Carlisle, IPFW
(I haven't seen too many other games just yet...I'll get back to this)

Best men's players (so far):
Moses Ehambe, ORU
Eric Kangas, Oakland
Austin Montgomery, IUPUI
Dan Brumagin, UMKC
Tim Blackwell, UMKC
Reggie Hamilton, UMKC
Tate Sorenson, SUU (for the simple fact that he took one of the worst spills I've ever seen last night and walked off the court...bloodied and woozy, but still, he walked off)

Best fight song:
Valparaiso's....I know, they're not even here. But any fight song that incorporates "Beer Barrel Polka" into it gets my nod every time!

The hot seat (after the first round):
Derek Thomas, Western Illinois: The 'Necks had chances, but couldn't throw it in the ocean. Five years after getting the job, you have to wonder if Thomas is on his way out.

Leslie Crane, Western Illinois: An early exit this year, which followed under-achieving performances in recent years at the tourney, makes you wonder if there might be double trouble in McComb.