I run my own NCAA March Madness and every year we pick the teams out of a hat for my friends and family. After we pick all the teams I will let everyone know who was not present at the luck of the draw, who they got. I think some people, even my own blood, think I make up some of these Universities. A few years back a friend of mine told me, “Why you giving me hockey teams for my March Madness pool?” We all love the Cinderella stories that occur early in the tournament. Back in 2018, the Baltimore DMV who came in as a 16th seed took out number one Virginia. I call it Baltimore DMV which it sounds like, but the college was UNBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County), who are nicknamed the Retrievers. This season I have never heard of Furman University or Kennesaw State.

Is Furman University located in a far galaxy where Wookies roam? Furman University’s nickname is the Paladins which are knights. You can probably classify Chewbacca, Han Solo’s sidekick, as some kind of knight with more hair than armor. Furman is located in Greenville, South Carolina and has been around since 1826. Last time Furman played in the Big Dance, you’d have to go back to 1980 as they were the number 10 seed. In 1974, Furman University won their only March Madness game beating South Carolina in the first round. In the 1970’s, Furman was kind of a big deal as they made the tournament in 1971, 73, 74, 75, 78, and last time in 1980.

The Furman logo looks too fierce for a Liberal Arts school. The 2023 Furman team had a record of 27-7 this season and will be a 13th seed ready to play #4 seed Virginia. The Paladins won the Southern Conference tournament as they beat Chattanooga in the championship to seal the deal and get in this year’s tournament. Which is automatic berth winning your conference tournament. Plus, the Paladins got revenge on Chattanooga who beat them in the 2022 conference champions on a walk off 3 point shot at the buzzer. Head coach Bob Richey is in his 4th season on the sidelines.

I’m sure Bob Richey does not wear a fur coat like David Puddy on Seinfeld. Furman is a team that averages 17.1 assists a game which is good for 8th in the country. They have three guys on the team that have dished out over 100 assists alone this season. Furman is a very disciplined team where they make the passes to find the open shot.

The legend of Frank Selvy at Furman University is still talked about in present times. Selvy scored 100 points against NewBerry February 13, 1954. Selvy has a place in the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame as he led the country in scoring two seasons in a row.

FEELING LIKE THE FIRST TIME

This will be the first time ever that Kennesaw State University has made the tournament. Kennesaw State is located in Georgia, which I had to look up. The University has only been around since 1963. Kennesaw started off as a Junior College. Talk about starting from the bottom and moving up the ladder. In 1988, Kennnesaw became of College status. Then in 2015, the school merged with Southern Polytechnic state and became a university. It’s a public research university.

Perhaps the University did some research on famous owls giving a hoot, so don’t pollute. Kennesaw University went 26-8 this season as they won the Atlantic Sun Conference by beating Liberty in the Championship. The Owls are coming in as a 14th seed and play number 3, Xavier, in the opening round.

The Owls head coach, Amir Abdur-Rahmin’s, secret to success word is not Boner from the show Growing Pains. It’s one word BONE and the players follow the Bone slogan. BE-ONE-NO-EGO. The Owls squad is 10-3 in games decided by 5 points or less this season.

So Furman University and Kennesaw State will be my two schools I’m hoping will get that magical Cinderella story. I did mention the Baltimore County team that beat number one, Virginia. Could Furman University do the same thing against the same school, Virginia?

Who would not LOVE to see the Fur-Man get on a pair of those Cavaliers from Virginia? Then Kennesaw State winning their first ever tournament victory for the first time.

Like having your first beer. Both the Owls and Paladins I will be rooting on to make history and not be some stupid hockey team name. If either team wins, they will make history and people will remember them just like that Baltimore Maryland Street department squad. If either one of these teams loses in the first round, we will forget about them . Then 40 years into the future, the next time they get back to the tournament when Robots are doing all the writing, someone will say the same things about these schools. These are my two hopeful upsets as just a fan.