The Madness continues today when the NCAA Tournament’s first round continues at 11:15 a.m. Here’s a few things to look for:
 
Louisiana flavor
Both Southeastern Louisiana and Louisiana-Lafayette open Tournament play today as huge underdogs.
The No. 15 seed SLU (24-8) will take on No. 2 seed Oklahoma State (24-6) at 11:30 a.m in Oklahoma City, Okla. The Lions are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance after defeating Northwestern State for the Southland Conference tourney crown.
Though upsets are rare for No. 15 seeds, it has happened three times in Tournament history. Hampton was the last No. 15 seed to pull the trick over No. 2 Iowa State 58-57 in 2001.
A No. 15 seed has never won a second-round game, but Coppin State came the closest in 1997 when it lost to No. 10 seed Texas 82-81.
The No. 13-seeded Ragin’ Cajuns will strive toward their fifth Tournament victory in nine appearances when they face off with No. 4 seed Louisville at 6:10 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.
The Cajuns were also a No. 13 seed in their last Tournament victory in 1992 when they defeated No. 4 seed Oklahoma 87-83. ULL bowed out in the first round last year as a No. 14 seed to No. 3 seed North Carolina State 61-52.
 
Southeastern Conference
companions
Florida and Mississippi State represent the SEC in today’s opening round.
Fourth-seeded Florida (23-7) will take on No. 13 seed Ohio (21-10) at 11:25 a.m. in Nashville, Tenn.
Coming fresh off their first SEC Tournament Championship in school history, the Gators defeated Kentucky 70-53 last week in Atlanta to claim the crown. Florida makes its 12th appearance overall and its seventh consecutive in the NCAA Tournament.
The Gators have bowed out in the Tournament’s opening round two of the past three years. The No. 12 seed Manhattan defeated No. 5 seed Florida 75-60 last year in the opening round.
Ninth-seeded Mississippi State (22-10) will battle No. 8 seed Stanford (18-12) at 8:45 p.m. in Charlotte, N.C.
The Bulldogs are coming off an 80-64 loss to Florida in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals but have won four of their last six games.
MSU makes its fourth consecutive NCAA appearance and eighth overall. The Bulldogs are 2-3 in their past three appearances. Last year, they lost in the second round as a No. 2 seed to No. 7 seed Xavier, 89-74.
 
Perennial Powers
Traditional men’s basketball powerhouses North Carolina, Duke and Kansas all start Tournament runs today. Those teams have combined for the following stats in the NCAA Tournament: 99 appearances, 236 wins, 41 Final Fours and eight National titles.
Top-seeded North Carolina (27-4) takes on No. 16 seed Oakland (13-18) at 1:50 p.m. in Charlotte, N.C.
The Tar Heels are coming off a 78-75 loss to Georgia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament semifinals. But don’t expect Oakland to become the first No. 16 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed.
The Grizzlies defeated Alabama A&M 79-69 in the play-in game on Tuesday, but Oakland is the only team in the Tournament with a losing record.
The other No. 1 seed Duke (25-5) faces No. 16 seed Delaware State (19-13).
The Blue Devils have won eight of their last nine games and won the ACC Tournament for the fifth consecutive year Sunday, defeating Georgia Tech 69-64.
Third-seeded Kansas also opens its Tournament run against No. 14 seed Bucknell at 8:40 p.m. in Oklahoma City.
The Jayhawks took it on the chin against Oklahoma State 78-75 in the Big XII Tournament semifinals Saturday.
 
Name game
The seventh-seeded Southern Illinois Salukis will take on the No. 10 seed St. Mary Gaels at 2:50 p.m. in Oklahoma City.
This matchup isn’t that intriguing at first glance but these schools have the most unique mascots in the Tournament.
SIU’s Saluki is an ancient breed of an Egyptian dog, while St. Mary’s Gael is a Scottish Knight.
Vermont wins honorable mention for its catamount mascot — just a fancy way of saying mountain lion.