CoronaVinyl Day 396 (S): Can't Shake This Feelin' by The Spinners

For an explanation of CoronaVinyl, click here.

Today's CoronaVinyl category is "S," and I have a couple late-career records by The Spinners that were among the stack I most recently got from my neighbor.  I went with their 14th studio album, 1981's Can't Shake This Feelin'.

The Spinners were founded in the Detroit suburbs in the mid '50s, and they released a few singles in the '60s.  They signed to Motown in the mid '60s, but then moved to Atlantic in 1972.  With Atlantic, they released 14 studio albums between 1973 and 1984 and had their biggest success in the mid to late '70s.  All in all, they had 14 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including 7 Top 10s and one #1 (1974's "Then Came You" with Dionne Warwick).  Their other Top 10 hits were 1972's "I'll Be Around" (#4) and "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" (#3), 1975's "Game People Play" (#5), 1976's "The Rubberband Man" (#2), 1979's "Working My Way Back to You" / "Forgive Me, Girl" (#2), and 1980's "Cupid" / "I've Loved You For a Long Time" (#4).

By the time they put out Can't Shake This Feelin' in 1981, they were on their downturn.  The album barely cracked the Billboard album chart, reaching #196, and of the three singles released from the album, only one reached the Billboard Hot 100, again barely ("Never Through I'd Fall In Love," #95).  The album is a little schizophrenic, with the group both trying to hold on to what made them successful and also trying to tap into the early '80s.  There's soul, a little funk, and a little post-disco R&B.  It's not bad, but it's not up to the standard they set in the mid '70s.

After Can't Shake This Feelin', they released two more albums on Atlantic, then switched labels twice and released albums in 1985 and 1989 before taking a 10-year hiatus until their next album and then a 22-year hiatus until their next album, which was released last year.  Importantly, they also performed the theme song to Spaceballs in 1987. 

Favorite Song on Side 1:  "Love Connection (Raise The Window Down)"
The last track on the first side is the funkiest song on the album.  It has kind of a Cameo and Kool & The Gang feel to it, so I enjoyed it.

Favorite Song on Side 2:  "Send a Little Love"
This one reminds me the most of their "old" sound, with a nice little horn riff intro, though updated a little with disco guitars.

Championship Week is Nigh!

We have reached the greatest sports month of the year, as Championship Week begins today.  Selection Sunday is a mere 13 days away.

But before we get to the Big Dance, we'll have 333 teams in 32 conferences playing in 301 conference tournament games.  I've said it before and I'll say it again:  this is my favorite time of the sporting year.  Championship Week and the NCAA Tournament are, in the words of Tina Turner, simply the best.  They are more dramatic than the playoffs in any of the four major pro sports and any other major college sport.  The urgency and immediacy of one-and-done college basketball is unrivaled.  Seniors play their last games, and for all but a handful, not only will they finish their college careers with a loss, but likely their basketball careers.  On the other end of the spectrum, watching a low-major or mid-major team win its conference tournament to clinch an NCAA Tournament berth is one of the purest forms of elation you will ever see.  And the buzzer beaters.  Sweet Jesus, the buzzer beaters!

Last Year's Championship Week

Teams who have no business competing put together storybook runs.  Teams who should dominate fall apart.  You and your team have hope until that hope is lost.  The regular season means nothing.  Last year, two schools punched their first-ever tickets to the dance -- Hartford in the America East and Grand Canyon in the WAC.  Also, of the 31 conference tournaments, the top seed won only 11 of them, and we had an amazing 12 schools seeded 4 or lower won their conference tournaments:

• 4-seeds:  Georgia Tech (ACC), Hartford (America East), Mt. St. Mary's (NEC), Norfolk State (MEAC -- was the North 2-seed, so I'm counting that as a 4-seed), Oral Roberts (Summit)
• 5-seeds:  Ohio (MAC), Oregon State (Pac-12)
• 6-seeds:  Drexel (Colonial), North Texas (Conference USA -- was the West 3-seed, so I'm counting that as a 6-seed)
• 8-seeds:  Appalachian State (Sun Belt -- was the East 4-seed, so I'm counting that as an 8-seed), Georgetown (Big East)
• 9-seeds:  Iona (MAAC)

The crazier thing is that five of those schools won at least one game in the NCAA Tournament:

• Norfolk State was a 16-seed and won an Opening Round game before losing to Gonzaga in the First Round
• Oral Roberts became the second 15-seed to ever make it to the Sweet 16, beating 2-seed Ohio State and 7-seed Florida before coming within 2 points of making the Elite 8, losing to 3-seed Arkansas 72-70
• 13-seed North Texas upset 4-seed Purdue in the First Round
• 13-seed Ohio upset 4-seed Virginia in the First Round
• 12-seed Oregon State reached the Elite 8, beating 5-seed Tennessee, 4-seed Oklahoma State, and 8-seed Loyola (IL) before losing to 2-seed Houston

Schools Looking For Their First NCAA Tournament Bid

Army, The Citadel, St. Francis (Brooklyn), and William & Mary remain the only four original Division 1 schools that have never made the NCAA Tournament (though Army was invited in 1968 and chose to play in the NIT instead).  Overall, there are 37 Division 1 schools that are eligible to make the NCAA Tournament (i.e., that are not still in the transition period to D-1 from a lower division) that have never made the tournament.  Here they are with their conference and, to the extent it has already been set, their seed in their conference tournament.

• Army - 5-seed Patriot League 
• Bethune–Cookman - SWAC
• Bryant - 1-seed Northeast Conference 
• California Riverside - Big West
• Central Arkansas - W3-seed Atlantic Sun 
• Chicago State - WAC
• The Citadel - 9-seed Southern Conference
• Denver - 7-seed Summit League
• Elon - 7-seed Colonial
• Grambling - SWAC
• High Point - 7-seed Big South
• Incarnate Word - Southland
• Kansas City - 4-seed Summit League
• Kennesaw State - E4-seed Atlantic Sun
• Longwood - 1-seed Big South
• Maine - America East
• Maryland Eastern Shore - MEAC
• UMass Lowell - America East
• New Hampshire - America East
• NJIT - America East
• Omaha - 8-seed Summit League
• Presbyterian - 11-seed Big South
• Purdue Fort Wayne - 2-seed Horizon
• Quinnipiac - MAAC
• Sacramento State - Big Sky
• Sacred Heart - 6-seed Northeast Conference
• St. Francis Brooklyn - 5-seed Northeast Conference
• SIU Edwardsville - 8-seed Ohio Valley
• South Carolina Upstate - 4-seed Big South
• South Dakota - 5-seed Summit League
• Stetson - E6-seed in Atlantic Sun
• Tennessee Martin - Ohio Valley (did not qualify for OVC Tournament)
• Texas Rio Grande Valley - WAC
• Utah Valley - WAC
• Western Illinois - 6-seed Summit Leage
• William & Mary - 8-seed Colonial
• Youngstown State - 7-seed Horizon

The following schools are still in their transition period to Division 1 and are, therefore, not eligible for this year's NCAA Tournament (with their conference and first year of eligibility for the NCAA Tournament listed):

• Bellarmine - Atlantic Sun (2025)
• Cal Baptist - WAC (2023)
• California San Diego - Big West (2025)
• Dixie State - WAC (2025)
• Merrimack - Northeast Conference (2024)
• North Alabama - Atlantic Sun (2023)
• St. Thomas - Summit League (2026)
• Tarleton State - WAC (2025)

Mid- and Low-Major NCAA Tournament Success

And, of course, as the last ten NCAA Tournaments have shown us -- with the likes of Butler (2011, 2017), BYU (2011), Creighton (2021), Dayton (2014), Florida Gulf Coast (2013), Gonzaga (2015-2019, 2021), LaSalle (2013), Loyola (IL) (2018, 2021), Nevada (2018), Ohio (2012), Oral Roberts (2021), Richmond (2011), San Diego State (2011, 2014), VCU (2011), Wichita State (2013, 2015), Xavier (2012, 2015, 2017) all making it to the Sweet Sixteen or beyond, and 16-seed UMBC upsetting 1-seed Virginia in 2018 -- mid-majors and low-majors should not be overlooked in the Big Dance.  Consider Championship Week your opportunity to beef up your knowledge of this year's college basketball teams before you fill out your brackets in two short weeks.

Championship Week 2022

Over the next two weeks, I will be making Championship Week predictions as conference tournaments begin and/or are seeded.  The NEC starts its tournament today with a tantalizing 8-9 matchup between Central Connecticut State and Fairleigh Dickinson.  Ten other conferences have ended their regular seasons and set their conference tournament brackets (the A-Sun, Big South, Horizon, MVC, OVC, Patriot, SoCon, Summit, Sun Belt, and WCC).  I'll try to update this daily.

As a frame of reference, of my initial Championship Week predictions in 2021, I was 13 of 32 in correctly predicting the eventual conference tournament champion, which I don't think is too terrible given what I told you above about how many upsets there were.  We are back to a full slate of conference tournaments this year -- after several were either canceled or truncated last year because of COVID -- and since last year, there have been a couple additions and subtractions in some conferences, some conferences have had to slightly adjust due to ineligible teams (or teams still in the transition period to D-1), and some conference tournaments moved up in the schedule, while several moved back.

The first bids to be clinched will be this weekend:

-Ohio Valley:  March 5

-Big South:  March 6

-Missouri Valley:  March 6

With that, here are the tournaments starting today, the tournaments with games today, bids up for grab today, who has already clinched an automatic berth, and my predictions for the remaining conference tournaments.

Tournaments starting today

-NEC

Tournaments with games today

-NEC

Bids up for grabs today

-None

Already clinched automatic berths (I will add in parentheses the NCAA tournament appearances for each school, including the bid just clinched and last NCAA Tournament appearance where applicable, and for conferences whose tournaments have not yet ended, I'll list the date of the championship game)

-AAC (March 13)

-ACC (March 12)

-America East (March 12)

-Atlantic 10 (March 13)

-Atlantic Sun (March 8)

-Big 12 (March 12)

-Big East (March 12)

-Big Sky (March 12)

-Big South (March 6)

-Big Ten (March 13)

-Big West (March 12)

-Colonial (March 8)

-Conference USA (March 12)

-Horizon (March 8)

-Ivy League (March 13)

-MAAC (March 12)

-MAC (March 12)

-MEAC (March 12)

-Missouri Valley (March 6)

-Mountain West (March 12)

-Northeast Conference (March 8)

-Ohio Valley (March 5)

-Pac-12 (March 12)

-Patriot League (March 9)

-SEC (March 13)

-Southern Conference (March 7)

-Southland (March 12)

-Summit (March 8)

-Sun Belt (March 7)

-SWAC (March 12)

-WAC (March 12)

-West Coast (March 8)

Because I am unhealthily obsessed with college basketball in March -- to the detriment of my marriage, children, friendships, work, sleep schedule, sanity, wallet, axe-throwing practice, and loyalty to Odin -- I have not only listed out every game and my predictions, but the date, time, and TV station(s) on which the game will appear, even if it's just local, regional, or online, to the extent that information is available.  Some conference tournament websites are better than others.  I want this to be as comprehensive as possible, so that you can always come here to figure out when any given team is playing.  I love you so much, you guys.  Don't you ever forget it.

Remaining Tournaments (all times are Eastern; to the extent there are teams that have clinched seeds in tournament fields that are not completely set, I will put those in)

AAC (March 10-13; Fort Worth)

3/10 – First Round

1 p.m. (ESPNU) (8) vs. (9)

3 p.m. (ESPNU) (7) vs. (10)

7 p.m. (ESPNU) (6) vs. (11)

3/11 – Quarterfinals

1 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) vs. (8)/(9)

3 p.m. (ESPN2) (4) vs. (5)

7 p.m. (ESPNU) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

9 p.m. (ESPNU) (3) vs. (6)/(11)

3/12 – Semifinals

3 p.m. (ESPN2)

5 p.m. (ESPN2)

3/13 – Finals

3:15 p.m. (ESPN)

Predicted winner:  Houston

ACC (March 8-12; Brooklyn)

3/8 – First Round

2 p.m. p.m. (ACCN) (12) vs. (13)

4:30 p.m. (ACCN) (10) vs. (15) Georgia Tech

7 p.m. (ACCN) (11) vs. (14)

3/9 – Second Round

12 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (8) vs. (9)

2:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (5) vs. (12)/(13)

7 p.m. (ESPNU/ESPN2) (7) vs. (10)/(15)

9:30 p.m. (ESPNU/ESPN2) (6) vs. (11)/(14)

3/10 – Quarterfinals

12 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (1) vs. (8)/(9)

2:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13)

7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

9:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (3) vs. (6)/(11)/(14)

3/11 – Semifinals

7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)

9:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)

3/12 – Finals

8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Predicted winner:  Duke

America East (March 6, 9, 12; campus of higher seed for semis and final)

3/6 - Quarterfinals

TBD (TBD) (8) at (1) Vermont

TBD (TBD) (7) at (2)

TBD (TBD) (6) at (3)

TBD (TBD) (5) at (4)

3/9 – Semifinals

TBD (TBD) (lowest seed at highest seed)

TBD (TBD) (second-lowest seed at second-highest seed)

3/12 – Finals

TBD (TBD) (lower seed at higher seed)  

Predicted winner:  Vermont

Atlantic 10 (March 9-13; Washington, DC)

3/9 – First Round

1 p.m. (ESPN+) (12) vs. (13)

3:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (11) vs. (14)

3/10 – Second Round

Noon (USA, Peacock) (8) vs. (9)

2:30 p.m. (USA, Peacock) (5) vs. (12)/(13)

6 p.m. (USA, Peacock) (7) vs. (10)

8:30 p.m. (USA, Peacock) (6) vs. (11)/(14)

3/11 – Quarterfinals

Noon (USA, Peacock) (1) vs. (8)/(9)

2:30 p.m. (USA, Peacock) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13)

6 p.m. (USA, Peacock) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

8:30 p.m. (USA, Peacock) (3) vs. (6)/(11)/(14)

3/12 – Semifinals

1 p.m. (CBSSN)

3:30 p.m. (CBSSN)

3/13 – Finals

1 p.m. (CBS)

Predicted winner:  Davidson

Atlantic Sun (March 1, 3, 5, 8; campus sites of higher seeds)

3/1 - First Round

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (E6) Stetson at (W3) Central Arkansas.  Predicted winner:  Central Arkansas

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (W5) Eastern Kentucky at (E4) Kennesaw State.  Predicted winner:  Kennesaw State

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (W6) North Alabama* at (E3) Florida Gulf Coast.  Predicted winner:  Florida Gulf Coast

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (E5) North Florida at (W4) Lipscomb.  Predicted winner:  North Florida

3/3 – Quarterfinals

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (W3) Central Arkansas at (E2) Jacksonville.  Predicted winner:  Jacksonville

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (E4) Kennesaw State at (W1) Jacksonville State.  Predicted winner:  Jacksonville State

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (E3) Florida Gulf Coast at (W2) Bellarmine*.  Predicted winner:  Florida Gulf Coast

TBD (ESPN+) (E5) North Florida at (E1) Liberty.  Predicted winner:  Liberty

3/5 – Semifinals

TBD (ESPN+) (E2) Jacksonville at (W1) Jacksonville State.  Predicted winner:  Jacksonville State

TBD (ESPN+) (E3) Florida Gulf Coast at (E1) Liberty.  Predicted winner:  Liberty

3/8 – Finals

5 p.m. (ESPN) (W1) Jacksonville State at (E1) Liberty.  Predicted winner:  Liberty

*Ineligible for the NCAA Tournament because still in transition period from D-II

Big 12 (March 9-12; Kansas City)

3/9 – First Round

7 p.m. (ESPNU) (8) vs. (9)

3/10 – Quarterfinals

12:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (4) vs. (5)

2:30 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (1)  vs. (8)/(9)

7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (2) vs. (7)

9 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2) (3) vs. (6)

3/11 – Semifinals

7 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)

9 p.m. (ESPN/ESPN2)

3/12 – Finals

6 p.m. (ESPN)

Predicted winner:  Texas Tech

Big East (March 9-12; New York)

3/9 – First Round

4:30 p.m. (FS1) (8) vs. (9)

7 p.m. (FS1) (7) vs. (10) 

9:30 p.m. (FS1) (6) vs. (11) Georgetown

3/10 – Quarterfinals

Noon (FS1) (1) Providence vs. (8)/(9)

2:30 p.m. (FS1) (4) vs. (5)

7 p.m. (FS1) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

9:30 p.m. (FS1) (3) vs. (6)/(11)

3/11 – Semifinals

6:30 p.m. (FS1)

9 p.m. (FS1)

3/12 – Finals

6:30 p.m. (Fox)

Predicted winner:  Providence

Big Sky (March 9-12; Boise)

3/9 – First Round

11:30 a.m. (ESPN+) (8) vs. (9)

2 p.m. (ESPN+) (7) vs. (10) 

4:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (6) vs. (11) 

3/10 – Quarterfinals

2 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) vs. (8)/(9)

4:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) vs. (5)

7:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

10 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) vs. (6)/(11)

3/11 – Semifinals

7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

10 p.m. (ESPN+)

3/12 – Finals

8 p.m. (ESPNU)

Predicted winner:  Montana State

Big South (March 2, 4-6; Charlotte)

3/2 - First Round

11:30 a.m. (ESPN+) (8) Radford vs. (9) North Carolina A&T.  Predicted winner:  Radford

2 p.m. (ESPN+) (5) UNC Asheville vs. (12) Charleston Southern.  Predicted winner:  UNC Asheville

6 p.m. (ESPN+) (7) High Point vs. (10) Hampton.  Predicted winner:  High Point

8 p.m. (ESPN+) (6) Campbell vs. (11) Presbyterian.  Predicted winner:  Campbell

3/4 – Quarterfinals

Noon (ESPN+) (1) Longwood vs. (8) Radford.  Predicted winner:  Longwood

2:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) South Carolina Upstate vs. (5) UNC Asheville.  Predicted winner:  UNC Asheville

6 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Winthrop vs. (7) High Point.  Predicted winner:  Winthrop

8 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) Gardner-Webb vs. (6) Campbell.  Predicted winner:  Campbell

3/5 – Semifinals

Noon (ESPN+) (1) Longwood vs. (5) UNC Asheville.  Predicted winner:  Longwood

2 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Winthrop vs. (6) Campbell.  Predicted winner:  Winthrop

3/6 – Finals

12 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Longwood vs. (2) Winthrop.  Predicted winner:  Longwood

Big Ten (March 9-13; Indianapolis)

3/9 – First Round

6:30 p.m. (BTN) (12) vs. (13) 

9 p.m. (BTN) (11) vs. (14)

3/10 – Second Round

11:30 a.m. (BTN) (8) vs. (9)

2 p.m. (BTN) (5) vs. (12)/(13)

6:30 p.m. (BTN) (7) vs. (10)

9 p.m. (BTN) (6) vs. (11)/(14)

3/11 – Quarterfinals

11:30 a.m. (BTN) (1) vs. (8)/(9)

2 p.m. (BTN) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13)

6:30 p.m. (BTN) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

9 p.m. (BTN) (3) vs. (6)/(11)/(14)

3/12 – Semifinals

1 p.m. (CBS)

3:30 p.m. (CBS)

3/13 – Finals

3:30 p.m. (CBS) 

Predicted winner:  Michigan State

Big West (March 8, 10-12; Henderson, NV)

3/8 - First Round

9 p.m. (ESPN+) (8) vs. (9)

11:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (7) vs. (10)

3/10 – Quarterfinals

3 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) vs. (8)/(9)

5 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) vs. (5)

9 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

11:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) vs. (6)

3/11 – Semifinals

9 p.m. (ESPN+) 

11:30 p.m. (ESPNU) 

3/12 – Finals

11:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Predicted winner:  Cal State Fullerton

CAA (March 5-8; Washington, DC)

3/5 – First Round

4 p.m. (FloHoops) (8) William & Mary vs. (9) Northeastern

3/6 – Quarterfinals

Noon (FloHoops) (1) vs. (8)/(9)

2:30 p.m. (FloHoops) (4) vs. (5)

6 p.m. (FloHoops) (2) vs. (7) Elon

8:30 p.m. (FloHoops) (3) Hofstra vs. (6) Charleston

3/7 – Semifinals

6 p.m. (CBSSN) 

8:30 p.m. (CBSSN) 

3/8 – Finals

7 p.m. (CBSSN) 

Predicted winner:  Towson

Conference USA (March 8-12; Frisco, TX)

3/8 - First Round

7:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (W6) vs. (W7)

8 p.m. (ESPN+) (E6) vs. (E7)

3/9 – Second Round

6:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (W4) vs. (E5)

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (E3) vs. (W6)/(W7)

9 p.m. (ESPN+) (E4) vs. (W5)

9:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (W3) vs. (E6)/(E7)

3/10 – Quarterfinals

6:30 p.m. (Stadium) (E1) Middle Tennessee State vs. (W4)/(W5)

7 p.m. (Stadium) (W2) vs. (E3)/(W6)/(W7)

9 p.m. (Stadium) (W1) North Texas vs. (E4)/E5)

9:30 p.m. (Stadium) (E2) vs. (W3)/(E6)/(E7)

3/11 – Semifinals

12:30 p.m. (CBSSN) 

2 p.m. (CBSSN)

3/12 – Finals

8:30 p.m. (CBSSN) 

Predicted winner:  North Texas

Horizon (March 1, 3, 7-8; first round and quarterfinals at campus sites of higher seed and remaining rounds in Indianapolis)

3/1 - First Round

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (12) IUPUI at (5) Oakland.  Predicted winner:  Oakland

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (11) Green Bay at (6) Detroit.  Predicted winner:  Detroit

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (10) Robert Morris at (7) Youngstown State.  Predicted winner:  Youngstown State

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (9) Milwaukee at (8) UIC.  Predicted winner:  UIC

3/3 - Quarterfinals

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (8) UIC at (1) Cleveland State.  Predicted winner:  Cleveland State

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (5) Oakland at (4) Wright State.  Predicted winner:  Oakland

7 p.m. (ESPN+)  (6) Detroit at (3) Northern Kentucky.  Predicted winner:  Northern Kentucky

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (7) Youngstown State at (2) PFW.  Predicted winner:  PFW

3/7 – Semifinals

7 p.m. (ESPNU) (1) Cleveland State vs. (5) Oakland.  Predicted winner:  Cleveland State

9:30 p.m. (ESPN2) (2) PFW vs. (3) Northern Kentucky.  Predicted winner:  Northern Kentucky

3/8 – Finals

7 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Cleveland State vs. (3) Northern Kentucky.  Predicted winner:  Cleveland State

Ivy League (March 12-13; Boston)

3/12 - Semifinals

11 a.m. (ESPNU) (1) Princeton vs. (4) Cornell.  Predicted winner:  Princeton

2 p.m. (ESPNU) (2) Yale or Penn vs. (3) Penn or Yale.  Predicted winner:  Yale

3/13 - Finals

Noon (ESPN2) (1) Princeton vs. (2) or (3) Yale.  Predicted winner:  Princeton

MAAC (March 8-12; Atlantic City, NJ)

3/8 - First Round

5 p.m. (ESPN+) (8) vs. (9)   

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (7)  vs. (10)

9 p.m. (ESPN+) (6)  vs. (11) Canisius

Quarterfinals

3/9

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (1)  vs. (8)/(9)  

9:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (2)  vs. (7)/(10)   

3/10

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (3)  vs. (6)/(11)

9:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (4)  vs. (5) Marist

3/11 – Semifinals

6 p.m. (ESPNews) 

8:30 p.m. (ESPNews) 

3/12 – Finals

4 p.m. (ESPNU)

Predicted winner:  Iona

MAC (March 10-12; Cleveland)

3/10 – Quarterfinals

11 a.m. (ESPN+) (1) vs. (8)

1:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) vs. (5)

4 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) vs. (7)

6:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) vs. (6)

3/11 – Semifinals

5 p.m. (CBSSN)

7:30 p.m. (CBSSN)

3/12 – Finals

7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Predicted winner:  Ohio

MEAC (March 9-12; Norfolk, VA)

Quarterfinals

3/9

6 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) Norfolk State vs. (8) Delaware State

8 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) vs. (7)

3/10

6 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) vs. (5)

8 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) vs. (6)

3/11 – Semifinals

6 p.m. (ESPN+) 

8 p.m. (ESPN+) 

3/12 – Final

1:00 p.m. (ESPN2)

Predicted winner:  Norfolk State

Missouri Valley (March 3-6; St. Louis)

3/3 – First Round

7 p.m. (MVC TV/ESPN+) (8) Illinois State vs. (9) Indiana State.  Predicted winner:  Illinois State

9:30 p.m. (MVC TV/ESPN+) (7) Valparaiso vs. (10) Evansville.  Predicted winner:  Valparaiso

3/4 – Quarterfinals

1 p.m. (MVC TV/ESPN+) (1) Northern Iowa vs. (8) Illinois State.  Predicted winner:  Northern Iowa

3:30 p.m. (MVC TV/ESPN+) (4) Loyola (IL) vs. (5) Bradley.  Predicted winner:  Loyola (IL

7 p.m. (MVC TV/ESPN+) (2) Missouri State vs. (7) Valparaiso.  Predicted winner:  Missouri State

9:30 p.m. (MVC TV/ESPN+) (3) Drake vs. (6) Southern Illinois.  Predicted winner:  Drake

3/5 – Semifinals

3:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (1) Northern Iowa vs. (4) Loyola (IL).  Predicted winner:  Loyola (IL)

6 p.m. (CBSSN) (2) Missouri State vs. (3) Drake.  Predicted winner:  Drake

3/6 – Finals

2 p.m. (CBS) (3) Drake vs. (4) Loyola (IL).  Predicted winner:  Loyola (IL)

Mountain West (March 9-12; Las Vegas)

3/10 – First Round

2 p.m. (Stadium/MWN) (8) vs. (9) 

4:30 p.m. (Stadium/MWN) (7) vs. (10) Air Force

7 p.m. (Stadium/MWN) (6) vs. (11) San Jose State

3/11 – Quarterfinals

3 p.m. (CBSSN) (1) vs. (8)/(9) 

5:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (4) vs. (5)

9 p.m. (CBSSN) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

11:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (3) vs. (6)/(11)

3/12 – Semifinals

9:30 p.m. (CBSSN) 

11:59 p.m. (CBSSN) 

3/13 – Finals

6 p.m. (CBS)  

Predicted winner:  Wyoming

Northeast Conference (February 28, March 2, 5, 8; campus of higher seed)

2/28 - First Round

7 p.m. (NEC Front Row) (9) Central Connecticut State at (8) Fairleigh Dickinson.  Predicted winner:  Central Connecticut State

3/2 - Quarterfinals

7 p.m. (NEC Front Row) (9) Central Connecticut State at (1) Bryant.  Predicted winner:  Bryant

7 p.m. (NEC Front Row) (7) St. Francis (PA) at (2) Wagner.  Predicted winner:  Wagner

7 p.m. (NEC Front Row) (6) Sacred Heart at (3) LIU.  Predicted winner:  LIU

7 p.m. (NEC Front Row) (5) St. Francis (Brooklyn) at (4) Mt. St. Mary's.  Predicted winner:  Mt. St. Mary's

3/5 – Semifinals

6 p.m. (ESPN+, NEC Front Row) (4) Mt. St. Mary's at (1) Bryant.  Predicted winner:  Bryant

8 p.m. (ESPN+, NEC Front Row) (3) LIU at (2) Wagner.  Predicted winner:  Wagner

3/8 – Finals

7 p.m. (ESPN2) (2) Wagner at (1) Bryant.  Predicted winner:  Wagner

Ohio Valley (March 2-5; Evansville, IN)

3/2 - First Round

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (5) Tennessee State vs. (8) SIU Edwardsville.  Predicted winner:  Tennessee State

10:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (6) Austin Peay vs. (7) Tennessee Tech.  Predicted winner:  Austin Peay

3/3 - Quarterfinals

7:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) Southeast Missouri State vs. (5) Tennessee State.  Predicted winner:  Tennessee State

10 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) Morehead State vs. (6) Austin Peay.  Predicted winner:  Morehead State

3/4 – Semifinals

8 p.m. (ESPNU) (1) Murray State vs. (5) Tennessee State.  Predicted winner:  Murray State

10:30 p.m. (ESPNU) (2) Belmont vs. (3) Morehead State.  Predicted winner:  Belmont

3/5 – Finals

8:30 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Murray State vs. (2) Belmont.  Predicted winner:  Murray State

Pac-12 (March 9-12; Paradise, NV)

3/9 – First Round

3 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (8) vs. (9)

5:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (5) vs. (12)

9 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (7) vs. (10)

11:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (6) vs. (11)

3/10 – Quarterfinals

3 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (1)  vs. (8)/(9)

5:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (4) vs. (5)/(12)

9 p.m. (Pac-12 Network) (2)  vs. (7)/(10)

11:30 p.m. (FS1) (3) vs. (6)/(11)

3/11 – Semifinals

9 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)

11:30 p.m. (FS1)

3/12 – Finals

9 p.m. (Fox)

Predicted winner:  UCLA

Patriot League (March 1, 3, 6, 9; campus of higher seed)

3/1 – First Round

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (10) American at (7) Holy Cross.  Predicted winner:  Holy Cross

7:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (9) Bucknell at (8) Lafayette.  Predicted winner:  Lafayette

3/3 – Quarterfinals

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (8) Lafayette at (1) Colgate.  Predicted winner:  Colgate

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (6) Loyola (MD) at (3) Boston.  Predicted winner:  Boston

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (7) Holy Cross at (2) Navy.  Predicted winner:  Navy

8 p.m. (ESPN+) (5) Army at (4) Lehigh.  Predicted winner:  Army

3/6 – Semifinals

5:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (5) Army at (1) Colgate.  Predicted winner:  Colgate

7:30 p.m. (CBSSN) (3) Boston at (2) Navy.  Predicted winner:  Boston

3/9 – Finals

12 p.m. (CBSSN) (3) Boston at (1) Colgate.  Predicted winner:  Colgate

SEC (March 9-13; Tampa)

3/9 – First Round

6 p.m. (SEC Network) (12) vs. (13)

8 p.m. (SEC Network) (11) vs. (14) Georgia

3/10 – Second Round

12 p.m. (SEC Network) (8) vs. (9)

2 p.m. (SEC Network) (5) vs. (12)/(13)

6 p.m. (SEC Network) (7) vs. (10)

8 p.m. (SEC Network) (6) vs. (11)/(14)

3/11 – Quarterfinals

12 p.m. (ESPN) (1) vs. (8)/(9)

2 p.m. (ESPN) (4) vs. (5)/(12)/(13)

6 p.m. (SEC Network) (2) vs. (7)/(10)

8 p.m. (SEC Network) (3) vs. (6)/(11)

3/12 – Semifinals

1 p.m. (ESPN)

3 p.m. (ESPN)

3/13 – Finals

1 p.m. (ESPN)

Predicted winner:  Auburn

Southern Conference (March 4-7; Asheville, NC)

3/4 - First Round

5 p.m. (ESPN+) (8) East Tennessee State vs. (9) The Citadel.  Predicted winner:  East Tennessee State

7:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (7) Mercer vs. (10) Western Carolina.  Predicted winner:  Mercer

3/5 – Quarterfinals

12 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) Chattanooga vs. (8) East Tennessee State.  Predicted winner:  Chattanooga

2:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) Wofford vs. (5) VMI.  Predicted winner:  Wofford

6 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Furman vs. (7) Mercer.  Predicted winner:  Furman

8 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) Samford vs. (6) UNC Greensboro.  Predicted winner:  UNC Greensboro

3/6 – Semifinals

4 p.m. (ESPNU) (1) Chattanooga vs. (4) Wofford.  Predicted winner:  Chattanooga

6:30 p.m. (ESPNU) (2) Furman vs. (6) UNC Greensboro.  Predicted winner:  Furman

3/7 – Finals

7 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Chattanooga vs. (2) Furman.  Predicted winner:  Chattanooga

Southland (March 9-12; Katy, TX)

3/9 – First Round

6 p.m. (ESPN+) (5) vs. (8)

8:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (6) vs. (7)

3/10 – Second Round

6 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) vs. (5)/(8)

8:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) vs. (6)/(7)

3/11 – Semifinals

6 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) vs. (4)/(5)/(8)

8:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) vs. (3)/(6)/(7)

3/12 – Finals

9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Predicted winner:  Nicholls

Summit (March 5-8; Sioux Falls, SD)

Quarterfinals

3/5

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) South Dakota State vs. (8) Omaha.  Predicted winner:  South Dakota State

9:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) North Dakota State vs. (7) Denver.  Predicted winner:  North Dakota State

3/6

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) Kansas City v. (5) South Dakota.  Predicted winner:  South Dakota

9:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) Oral Roberts vs. (6) Western Illinois.  Predicted winner:  Oral Roberts

3/7 – Semifinals

7 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) South Dakota State vs. (5) South Dakota.  Predicted winner:  South Dakota State

9:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) North Dakota State vs. (3) Oral Roberts.  Predicted winner:  Oral Roberts

3/8 – Finals

9 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) South Dakota State vs. (3) Oral Roberts.  Predicted winner:  South Dakota State

Sun Belt (March 3, 5-7; Pensacola, FL)

3/3 – First Round

12:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (8) Louisiana vs. (9) UT Arlington.  Predicted winner:  Louisiana

3 p.m. (ESPN+) (5) South Alabama vs. (12) Little Rock.  Predicted winner:  South Alabama

6 p.m. (ESPN+) (6) Arkansas State vs. (11) Louisiana-Monroe.  Predicted winner:  Arkansas State

8:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (7) Coastal Carolina vs. (10) Georgia Southern.  Predicted winner:  Coastal Carolina

3/5 – Quarterfinals

12:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) Texas State vs. (8) Louisiana.  Predicted winner:  Texas State

3 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) Troy vs. (5) South Alabama.  Predicted winner:  South Alabama

6 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) Georgia State vs. (6) Arkansas State.  Predicted winner:  Arkansas State

8:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Appalachian State vs. (7) Coastal Carolina.  Predicted winner:  Appalachian State

3/6 – Semifinals

6 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) Texas State vs. (5) South Alabama.  Predicted winner:  Texas State

8:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) Appalachian State vs. (6) Arkansas State.  Predicted winner:  Appalachian State

3/7 - Finals

7 p.m. (ESPN2) (1) Texas State vs. (2) Appalachian State.  Predicted winner:  Texas State

SWAC (March 9-12; Birmingham, AL)

Quarterfinals

3/9

3 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) vs. (7)

9:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) vs. (8)

3/10

3 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) vs. (6)

9:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) vs. (5)

3/11 – Semifinals

3 p.m. (ESPN+)

9:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

3/12 – Finals

6 p.m. (ESPNU)

Predicted winner:  Texas Southern

WAC (March 8-12; Paradise, NV)

3/8 - First Round

9 p.m. (ESPN+) (8) vs. (9)

11 p.m. (ESPN+) (7) vs. (10)

3/9 - Second Round

9 p.m. (ESPN+) (5) vs. (8)/(9)

11 p.m. (ESPN+) (6) vs. (7)/(10)

3/10 – Quarterfinals

9 p.m. (ESPN+) (4) vs. (5)/(8)/(9)

11:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (3) vs. (6)/(7)/(10)

3/11 – Semifinals

9 p.m. (ESPN+) (1) vs. (4)/(5)/(8)/(9)

11:30 p.m. (ESPN+) (2) vs. (3)/(6)/(7)/(10)

3/12 – Finals

10 p.m. (ESPNU)

Predicted winner:  New Mexico State

West Coast (March 3-5, 7-8; Paradise, NV)

3/3 – First Round

9 p.m. (WCC Network) (8) Pacific vs. (9) Loyola Marymount.  Predicted winner:  Loyola Marymount

11 p.m. (WCC Network) (7) San Diego vs. (10) Pepperdine.  Predicted winner:  San Diego

3/4 - Second Round

9 p.m. (WCC Network) (5) BYU vs. (9) Loyola Marymount.  Predicted winner:  BYU

11 p.m. (WCC Network) (6) Portland vs. (7) San Diego.  Predicted winner:  Portland

3/5 – Third Round

10:30 p.m. (ESPN2) (4) San Francisco vs. (5) BYU.  Predicted winner:  San Francisco

12:30 a.m. (ESPN2) (3) Santa Clara vs. (6) Portland.  Predicted winner:  Santa Clara

3/7 – Semifinals

9 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Gonzaga vs. (4) San Francisco.  Predicted winner:  Gonzaga

11:30 p.m. (ESPN2) (2) St. Mary's vs. (3) Santa Clara.  Predicted winner:  St. Mary's

3/8 – Finals

9 p.m. (ESPN) (1) Gonzaga vs. (2) St. Mary's.  Predicted winner:  Gonzaga

Hair Band Friday - 2/25/22

1.  "Hellion" (live) by W.A.S.P.

2.  "We're No Good Together" by Tesla

3.  "Desperate" by Vixen

4.  "All The Way" by Vandenberg

5.  "All The Way" by Judas Priest

6.  "Judgement Day" (live) by Van Halen

7.  "Last Time in Paris" by Queensrÿche

8.  "Into the Fire" by Dokken

9.  "Sweet Child O' Mine" (live) by Guns N' Roses

10.  "Blue Murder" by Blue Murder

CoronaVinyl Day 395 (R): Whatever Happened to Benny Santini? by Chris Rea

For an explanation of CoronaVinyl, click here.

Today's CoronaVinyl category is "R," and part of my most recent haul of vinyl from my neighbor were two Chris Rea records, so let's go with his debut solo album, 1978's Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?

Rea is a husky-voiced British singer-songwriter and slide guitarist who had been in a few bands before going solo in the late '70s.  The album title Whatever Happened to Benny Santini? is a reference to a pseudonym that Rea had suggested because his label thought his given name apparently didn't fit his musical style, but Rea forged ahead under his own name anyway.

I am not very familiar with Rea, and my only real knowledge of his music is his 1988 holiday hit "Driving Home For Christmas."  As a result, I expected the album to be more croony.  But it's a good mix of blues-based rock, pop, regular rock, and soft rock.  The album reached #49 on the Billboard album chart (his highest-charting in the U.S.) and eventually went gold in the U.S.  The title track was a minor hit, going to #71 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it was "Fool (If You Think It's Over)" was his biggest hit, topping out at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. 

Rea has continued to make music since then, releasing dozens of albums, with his latest coming in 2019.  He has had 13 Top 40 hits on the UK pop chart, including two Top 10s (the aforementioned "Driving Home For Christmas" and 1989's "Road to Hell").

Favorite Song on Side 1:  "Dancing With Charlie"
Rea's slide guitar shines on this track, which is a Stones-esque rock song, which makes me believe the "Charlie" may be Charlie Watts, but I guess it could also be early Delta bluesman Charley Patton (though spelled differently), who was a big influence on Rea.

Favorite Song on Side 2:  "Three Angels"
This is another blues-based rock song that borders on heartland rock a few years before Mellencamp and Springsteen really popularized the genre.