The NCAA tournament starts, really starts, today at 12:15. It's the best 4 days of the season. We've taken a small look at Creighton, but let's expand our view to the whole Midwest region. 

Before we look at the teams, here are the times and TV for the region. 

Thursday

12:15 CBS 3) Michigan St vs 14) Valparaiso 

2:10 TNT 4) St Louis vs 13) New Mexico State

2:40 CBS 6) Memphis vs 11) St Mary's

4:40 TNT 5) Oklahoma St vs 12) Oregon

6:50 TBS 1) Louisville vs 16) North Carolina A&T

9:20 TBS 8) Colorado St vs 9) Missouri

Friday

12:15 CBS 2) Duke vs 15) Albany

2:45 CBS 7) Creighton vs 10) Cincinnati 

Cincinnati plays Creighton on Friday afternoon. Creighton has the second leading scorer in the name in Doug McDermott. He averaged 23 points a game this season. He ended the season tearing through the Missouri Valley conference. That included top 30 Ken Pom defense Wichita State twice. Since he's such a prolific scorer, how does he get his buckets? What a great question. 

We don't have footage of the Valley title game where Doug was 5-13 against Wichita State, but we do have footage of the 2 Valley tournament games previous to that and the final game of the regular season. Doug made 31 baskets in those games. He averaged 29.7 points in those 3 games. Let's get started. 

Game footage is from watchESPN. Photo up top is by CollegeBasketballTalk. 

Sometimes I get emails from people about running contests or ads on the site. I don't typically do them because, let's face it, most of them are lame. This is my site and I take a great deal of pride in it. I don't want to be the guy supporting every lame thing on the planet. When I think something is cool, I think you guys will think it is cool. And I think that this contest is very cool. 

Enterprise Rent-A-Car (shill plug for their site) is running a subtle March Madness contest. The rules are quite simple. Since a lot of people have work or class on Thursday and Friday, they are going to have to follow the games on the down low. The contest is you showing off how you are subtly rooting on Cincinnati at work. Or school. I'm adding in school. All you have to do is send me a picture on twitter. Mention @BearcatsBlog with your subtle Cincinnati swag, let it be team colored ties, pictures in the cubicle, bobble heads, cuff links, whatever you can think of. It's basically show your Cincinnati spirit at work or school. Use the hash tag #EnterpriseNCAA #MarchMadness. 

For doing that, the best two entries will win a bad ass prize pack. Yes, two people. I have pull. This prize pack is pretty awesome. I didn't write this part. You are going to be able to tell. Each of the prizes constitutes a tip. 

1.       SAFETY DANCE: (Ear Plugs)

a.       Like your singing, which probably belongs in the shower, victory dances (or any other custom cheering display) ought to be confined to the privacy of your own home. Or amongst certified, fellow, rabid fans of your team. Not your cubicle mates.

2.       LUNCH: ($50 Brinker Gift Card – Chili’s, Maggiano’s, Macaroni Grill)

a.       It’s Not Just for Eating Any More: Be strategic with your “lunch hour” so it coincides with the ending of must-see games. During March, lunchtime is the middle-of-the-day excuse to tune in to CBS and Turner Sports to check scores, brag to your friends about picking the big upset, or, wipe the tears from your eyes.

3.       ON THE ROAD AGAIN: ($50 Shell Gas Station Gift Card)

a.       Remember that thing, at that place, with those people that you had to meet? Get out of the office for an overdue meeting. After all, your car has a radio with nothing but updates and scores, mile after mile.

4.       FOUL OUT:  (Door-Hanging Basketball Set & Ace Bandage)

a.       We know you want to reenact that buzzer beating, game-winning shot using office trash cans, but leave that for the March Madness Live highlight reels. You don’t want to pull a “hammy” or twist an ankle and become the laughingstock of the office.

5.       ONE SHINY MEMENTO: (Crystal Basketball Paperweight)

a.       When it comes to decorating your workspace, a little goes a long way.  As much as you may want to turn your personal office space into a shrine, you don’t want your cubicle to scream super fan.

6.       FACE TIME: ($50 J. CREW Gift Card)

a.       It’s okay to wear your team colors, but don’t overdo it.  Face and body painting might freak out your co-workers and your boss might not appreciate your artistic expression.

7.       FLEX TIME: (Basketball Projection Clock)

a.       Going in an hour or two earlier so you can leave an hour or two earlier to catch the latest Cinderella story? What a concept. Afternoon couch time, here we come!

8.       MOBILE MANIA: (PowerTraveler Portable Solar Power Charger)

a.       Put that smartphone to good use and download the official NCAA March Madness Live app to get the ultimate access to all the basketball your heart desires while you bang away on another TPS report. Just don’t forget you have your earbuds in and make a scene when your team wins.

That is pretty bad ass. The contest starts now. All you have to do is take a picture of your Bearcats gear at work or school, send it to @BearcatsBlog on twitter. I just signed up on instagram @BearcatsBlog. Be sure to use the hash tag #EnterpriseNCAA #MarchMadness on both. If only two people do it, that means you automatically win. 

Disclaimer: I was provided prizing for this post. All opinons are my own. 

Straight off Go Bearcats: 

The University of Cincinnati men's basketball team will conduct an open practice on Tuesday, March 19 at Fifth Third Arena. It marks the Bearcats' final practice on campus before they leave Wednesday for Philadelphia to compete in second-round play in the 2013 NCAA Championship.

 

Fans can enter on the east concourse of the arena beginning at 12:30 p.m. Practice is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Cash parking is available in Corry Garage. 

"We want to reward our fans and thank them for their support this season," UC head coach Mick Cronin said. "Our mid-day Wednesday departure time for Philadelphia has dictated that we hold the open practice on Tuesday. We hope to see you there."

Be sure to show up before the Cats make the trip to Philadelphia. Could be the last time that you get to watch the Bearcats at home. Mick Cronin has condoned pulling your kids out of school for this, so you would be a terrible person and human being if you didn't do that. 

#BeatCreighton

Since filling out a bracket is so much fun, Bearcats Blog is going to host a bracket challenge. Yahoo is actually hosting it, but I started the group. That's half the battle. If you want to see how much better you are than me at filling out a bracket, this is your time to make me look like a jerk. 

The group ID is: 136976

Password: bearcats

I hope that you enter. I'll try to find a prize or two to give away to the winner. You can write a guest post if you are apt for that kind of fun. I want your entries. Please join in the fun.