13-18? Play On

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies are living it up...for a short while. After starting the season 7-18, the Grizz have rattled off six consecutive wins. They came from nowhere to win their conference tourney and continued the roll by winning the first NCAA tournament game of the Madness. Oakland defeated Alabama A&M in the play-in game Tuesday night by a final score of 79-69.

Of course, no one knows this. The poor team qualifies for the tourney by fighting tooth-and-nail to earn an automatic bid, then they're told they don't even get in the real tourney. They're in the play-in game. That game isn't even on anyone's office pool, and that means you aren't really in the tournament. Of course, the team we should feel bad for is Alabama A&M. They were one-and-done before the real tourney even started.

Starting tomorrow, the Madness truly begins. Unfortunately, it also ends for the Grizzlies as they face top-seeded North Carolina. Adding insult to injury, the game will be played in Charlotte.

So let's hope the Grizzlies are enjoying themselves now. Or...maybe they'll continue their hot streak. After all, that's why they play the games, right? Maybe UNC will come in a little overconfident and the Grizz will pull off another upset. Then another. And another. This squad that played Division 2 until a few years ago could become the biggest Cinderella Story ever.

Maybe the Oakland Golden Grizzlies will make the Final Four. Maybe they'll win the national championship. Ever heard of a national champion with a final record just one game over .500? That would be the Grizzlies.

Then again, maybe not. But hopefully they won't be too embarrassed.