We rolled into the parking lot of the Super 8 off exit 152 of Interstate 70 in a driving rainstorm, arriving around 2 a.m., thrilled to find a cheap bed with wireless Internet.
It's about an hour from here to Columbus, where Holy Cross will be the last of the eight teams to take the podium for the afternoon press conferences. The Crusaders are on at 6:30 p.m.
We'll start updating from Nationwide Arena later this morning, with notes, mood and color. Southern Illinois will meet the media around 4. We will have a complete report, with Salukis press conference audio, shortly after.
In the meantime, here are a few links to help you kill time while you countdown to today's tip-offs:
NCAA Pants Party: Southern Illinois-Holy Cross (Deadspin)
Salukis get right to business in Columbus (The Southern)
It's time to put an end to this fruitless crusade (Boston Globe)
NCAA Davids gain on Goliath (Journal Gazxette)
Southern Man (Beacon News)
HC needs a whole (Telegram & Gazette)
When two won't do (Wichita Eagle)Labels: HC, previews