A List Of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago

THE BALL IS TIPPED . . .: You might have asked yourself at some point -- how does the MascotMatcher protocol evaluate multiple appearances of the same mascot, such as the three different Wildcats appearing in the regional semifinals?

How does it do it? Charlie insists that the methodology is sound. Tonight's four games:

Louisville Cardinals v. Washington Huskies: The pretty birds will be singing their swan song when faced with beefy, plus-sized youth. It's time for some exercise. Huskies.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers v. Illinois Fighting Illini: Never underestimate the power of an angry, warlike ethnic stereotype. Too bad for these jungle cats that they aren't playing the "Fleeing Frogs." Illini.

Texas Tech Red Raiders v. West Virginia Mountaineers: See above. Back to your stills, clay eaters. Red Raiders.

Arizona Wildcats v. Oklahoma State Cowboys: Herders with guns, felines red in tooth and claw. I say "yee-ha!" Cowboys.

Infallible.