[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 27 (Friday, March 13, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MICHIGAN'S NCAA TOURNAMENT BIDS

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise to acknowledge a great 
athletic achievement in the state of Michigan. On this past Sunday 
evening, the NCAA selection committee announced the 64 best college 
teams in America to go head-to-head in the NCAA Men's Basketball 
Tournament. Among this field of 64, five teams from the state of 
Michigan are included in the ``March Madness'' frenzy, making Michigan 
the most represented state in the tournament. These teams are Eastern 
Michigan University, Michigan State University, University of Detroit 
Mercy, University of Michigan and Western Michigan University. This is 
first time in Michigan history that five teams from the state have been 
in the NCAA tournament at the same time.
  In their wisdom, the selection committee recognized that there are 
many excellent basketball programs and extraordinary talent within the 
state of Michigan. Not only have the two traditional Michigan 
powerhouse teams, Michigan State University and the University of 
Michigan, proven that they are among the nation's elite teams, but some 
smaller basketball programs have also made their mark on this season by 
winning some key games and finishing strong within their respective 
conferences.
  Michigan State University ended an impressive season by tying with 
the University of Illinois for the Big Ten regular Season title, while 
the University of Michigan finished an equally impressive season by 
winning the first ever Big Ten Conference tournament. Both of these 
teams are highly seeded within their respective regions. Western 
Michigan finished tied for first place in the Mid-American Conference 
and received an at-large NCAA bid, which is their second ever NCAA 
berth. Eastern Michigan finished strong by winning the Mid-American 
Conference tournament and was pitted against Michigan State in the 
first round of the tournament. The University of Detroit Mercy was the 
Mid-Western Collegiate Conference regular season champion and also 
received an at-large bid to the tournament.
  I am looking forward to the next few weeks to see who will be crowned 
NCAA National Champion. While these great teams from Michigan fight it 
out to see who will be crowned National Champion, one thing remains 
clear: this has been a great year for Michigan basketball and I dare to 
say, the best has yet to come. Go Michiganders!!!

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