DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — The two teams that will open the expanded NCAA tournament are enjoying their chance to be a footnote to basketball history.
North Carolina-Asheville’s coach and players got a key to their city before heading to Dayton. Long-legged players from Arkansas-Little Rock stretched out and enjoyed their first-ever charter flight to the game.
They’ll open the expanded 68-team tournament on Tuesday night, one of four first-round games that will be played in Dayton. In the past, there was one play-in game for a 65-team field.
UNC Asheville coach Eddie Biedenbach (BEE’-den-bah) won the 20003 play-in game in Dayton. He says anyone who complains about the new format is probably a little “spoiled.”
