Anything is possible in March, even a Gophers run in Indy

Indianapolis - One evening of chicken quesadillas, nachos and conference tournament action reminded me of the possibilities in March.

South Florida had nothing on Cincinnati in the Big East tournament Wednesday night. By the end of that matchup, the Bearcats walked away with a gazillion to not enough victory.

But in the second half, there was an opening for South Florida. A baby run cut the Bearcats' lead to 13. They couldn't hold off their opponents, but they had an opportunity. And that's the only prerequisite for an upset in postseason action.

Robert Morris was done. Down by five in the final minute of their loss to Long Island in the Northeastern Conference title game. And then, a three from the corner sent the game into overtime. The Colonials found space in the corner in the last second of the extra period. The shot didn't fall. And now Long Island is on its way to its first NCAA tournament since 1997. But the Colonials had a chance.

West Virginia and Marquette fought Wednesday night, too. Down by single digits late, West Virginia stole a Marquette in-bounds pass. Then, the Mountaineers forgot the Reggie Miller rule. "After intercepting an opponent's in-bounds down the stretch, find your shooter and feed him. If you are the shooter, then find yourself and hit the shot." West Virginia blew its shot but it had one. It unraveled after securing a second-half lead. Big East equals 11 bids.

There's always a chance in March. And there aren't any guarantees.

An 82 percent free throw shooter missed four consecutive foul shots during Northern Colorado's victory over Montana in the Big Sky championship Wednesday. And then, the Bears made the ones that mattered in the last 30 seconds. First-ever NCAA tournament berth for a program that was Division II a few years ago.

Baylor earned a trip to the Elite Eight last season. They stumbled all year. And then, the morning of their Big 12 tourney matchup against Oklahoma, the school announced that projected No. 1 draft pick Perry Jones had been suspended for accepting impermissible benefits. Baylor lost by double digits. Welcome to the NIT.

The uncertainty of college basketball in March is what makes this year's Big Ten tournament intriguing for the Gophers and the rest of teams that shouldn't shock in Indianapolis.

When the Gophers showed up last year with "Respect" t-shirts, I didn't know what to expect. I definitely didn't anticipate a run to the title game. Proof? I packed two game-worthy shirts. But they pulled off a pair of upsets and ended up with another trip to the NCAA tournament.

That team experienced drama. Al Nolen, Trevor Mbakwe and Royce White missed all or part of the 2009-10 season. That team finished the year with a 6-8 record in its last 14 games. They didn't have a chance in a second-round matchup against Purdue.

And then, they crushed them. They didn't beat the Boilermakers. They embarrassed them. From underdog to top dog. That's what can happen in March.

But they can make a run in Indianapolis.

I don't think they will. I don't think they'll win Thursday against Northwestern.

But what if Blake Hoffarber gets hot in his final Big Ten tourney? What if Trevor Mbakwe accepts Tubby Smith's challenge and becomes the post playmaker this team needs in order to advance this weekend? What if Ralph Sampson III goes Ralph Sampson Jr. on the field? What if Rodney Williams plays the way he did against Penn State Sunday? What if Chip Armelin plays like he's in Puerto Rico?

I'm not saying it will happen. But this time of year, you just never know. And that's why you have to watch and wait.