March Madness 2013: Long Island-Brooklyn Blackbirds are in the NCAA Tournament
By Jason Lisk
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Famous Alums/Attendees: Jacqueline Harry, you know, Jackée from 227. Nicholas Pileggi (Goodfellas, Casino).
Social Media: @LIUBasketball is the official basketball team account.
Random Fun Fact: Welcome Back Kotter, set in Brooklyn, was my favorite show as a kindergartener. If you thank that’s weird, up your nose with a rubber hose.
Tournament History/Most Recent: LIU has lost all five appearances, including each of the last two years (against North Carolina and Michigan State).
Good Wins/Bad Losses: Lost to Maryland, Kentucky, and Seton Hall. Best win is Lafayette? They only played Robert Morris once, and did not have to face them in the conference tournament.
Notable Player(s): Jamal Olasewere led the team in scoring this year, getting to the line a whopping 260 times this year.
All-Important Rankings: 61(RPI), 59 (Pomeroy), 57 (Seven Overtimes)
Outlook/Seed: LIU-Brooklyn faces Jason McIntyre’s alma mater, James Madison, in tonight’s First Four game. LIU-Brooklyn plays an up tempo style. They have really struggled defensively as teams are making over 50% of their twos against the Blackbirds. Expect a frenetic game that could include some runs. The winner gets Indiana.
Other Tournament Profiles:
James Madison
Florida Gulf Coast
Harvard
Liberty
Creighton
Belmont
Bucknell
Gonzaga
Saint Louis
Albany
Pacific
Iona
Valparaiso