Temple and Texas-San Antonio have been here before – as recently as last year.
Binghamton, on the other hand, made the NCAA tournament for the first time since it moved up to Division I, taking the America East tournament title with a 61-51 win over Maryland-Baltimore County on Saturday.
“We just persevered and fought all year long,” said Kevin Broadus, conference coach of the year in just his second year at Binghamton. “This year was an unbelievable ride for me personally. These guys coached me. These guys showed me what a true champion is all about.”
The school from upstate New York will have to wait a day to see which college hoops goliath it draws in the first round. As will the Owls and Roadrunners.
They don’t plan on a giddy one-and-done.
“Last year, I think we were in a little shock,” Roadrunners coach Rae Rippetoe-Blair said. “Now, we’re not just happy to be in the tournament. We want to advance.”
won three games in three days before succumbing to the Tigers 73-60.
Southern California took an autobid, though, by upsetting No. 23 Arizona 66-63 in the Pac-10 championship.
Also, Utah earned the Mountain West bid, beating San Diego State 52-50.
Seven more bids were up for grabs Saturday, including the Big East championship between No. 5 Louisville and Syracuse, which played six overtimes Friday night and another Saturday to reach the title game.
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