The 4th annual Derby City Classic will take place in Louisville, KY.

Five schools join host Bellarmine to compete for the Black Diamond Trophy. It features  a horseshoe carved from genuine Kentucky coal by Kentucky coal crafter Alvin Powell.  Presenting the trophy to the winning team will be George Clooney. The director and Oscar-winning actor is from Augusta, KY (pop. 1,190).

BELLARMINE

The host Knights are led by veteran coach greenhawks. Thru 32 years, he's 807-205 at the Louisville school. Included are eight Final Fours, which led to one national title and two runner-up finishes.  The Knights return 10 players from last year's 22-8 squad which lost to New Jersey Tech in the 2nd round. 

Bob Valvano, ESPN sportscaster and younger brother of N.C. State legend Jim Valvano, formerly coached at Bellarmine. He's a member of Mensa, a group for the smartest 2% of the people on earth.

ARMSTRONG ATLANTIC

From Savannah, GA, the Pirates are coached by kucewicz. In 16 seasons, he's 365-126 including a Final Four in season #50 and consecutive Sweet 16s in  #54-#57. They return 10 players from last seasons 19-11 team. They advanced to the NT for the 17th consecutive year. 

Armstrong has won 8 national titles including 5 in men's and women's tennis over the last 3 seasons. 

CSU-SAN BERNADINO

 Representing the California Athletic Conference are the Coyotes from San Bernadino. Their beloved coach is jaddison, who led them to the NT in just his 5th season at the school. His 5-year record is 106-41. They return all 12 players from a 23-6 season. 

35% of the students at CSU-SB are Hispanic and 70% of them are the first family members to attend college. CSU-SB leads the nation in awarding math degrees to Hispanic students. 

HILLSDALE

The Chargers from Hillsdale, MI are coached by mmd1841. Starting his 20th season, he has a record of 260-160. The Chargers have reached the Sweet 16 four consecutive years and return 11 players. 

 In 1892, Hillsdale defeated Notre Dame in football 14-12. Interestingly, the official records for Notre Dame show this game as a 10-10 tie. 

INCARNATE WORD

The Crusaders hail from San Antonio, where coach davefilby is 590-185 through 24 seasons.  They were national champs in season '48, RU in '56, and Final Four in '52. The only scar on their resume is their inability to defeat the Bellarmine Knights.  Bellarmine has won 15 of 16 from the Crusaders.

 The nuns who founded Incarate Word in 1951 were allowed a 2-week visit ot their families every 3 years.  When Coach dave tried to institute the same policy for his players, it was met by revolt..  He expected the players to spend the off-season tending to his pool and keeping his Ferrari in pristine condition.

SE OKLAHOMA

Beloved veteran coach bashert21 is the coach of  the SE Oklahoma Savage Storm. She's been in Durant for 26 seasons and racked up 618 wins vs.only 264 losses. That includes one Final Four and two PIT titles. They return 10 players from last seasons' 21-12 PIT champions.
 
Basketball Hall-of-Famer Dennis Rodman played at SE Oklahoma, where he twice led the NAIA in rebounding

They'd be tending to my Ferrari AND my Rolls if I could beat Bellarmine.  More than 8% of my losses are to you greenhawks. That just blows my mind. 

For comparison, I have 45 conference losses in those 24 seasons, and they get 16 shots at me a year.  Why do I schedule you again? 

Opening round matchups:

#4 SE Oklahoma (4-0) at #5 CSU-San Bernadino (4-0)
#10 Hillsdale (4-0) at #24 Incarnate Word (3-1)
Bellarmine (3-1) at Armstrong Atlantic (2-2)

 Incarnate Word's only loss was 77-69 to #1 Longwood. Bellamine is an impressive 2-0 vs. Sim teams. 

RESULTS
 #4 CSU-San Bernadino 69; #4 SE Oklahoma 66
#24 Incarnate Word 66; #10 Hillsdale 56
Bellarmine 75; Armstrong Atlantic 69

STANDINGS
1. CSU-San Bernadino   1-0
    Incarnate Word          1-0
    Bellarmine                   1-0
4. SE Oklahoma              0-1
    Hillsdale                      0-1
    Armstrong                  01

TONIGNT
 #38 Bellarmine at #15 Incarnate Word
#16 Hillsdale at #8 SE Oklahoma
Amstrong at #2 San Bernadino

First off, I'm really glad you knew about The Worm and his history with SOSU :) Second, I knew it was going to be a shoot out against CSU San Bernadino. Chalk up another loss for me in the last 5 seconds, but it looked like it was a good game. Congrats jaddison! Hopefully my boys can bounce back tonight as we face another tough team in Hillsdale. Looks like it is going to be another great tourney. GL everyone! Thanks Greenie! 

RESULTS

#38 Bellarmine 88; #15 Incarnate Word 76
#8 SE Oklahoma 64; #16 Hillsdale 59
#2 San Bernadino 80; Armstrong 66

STANDINGS
1.  CSU-San Bernadino 2-0
     Bellarmine                 2-0
3.  Incarnate Word         1-1
    SE Oklahoma             1-1
5. Armstrong Atlantic      0-2
    Hillsdale                     0-2

TONIGHT
#2 San Bernadino (6-0) at #24 Bellarmine (5-1)
#28 Incarnate Word (4-2) at #8 SE Oklahoma (5-1)
Armstrong (3-3) at #23 Hillsdale (4-2)
 

RESULTS
#24 Bellarmine 75; #2 San Bernadino 64
#8 SE Oklahoma 76; Incarnate Word 58
#23 Hillsdale 62; Armstrong 52

STANDINGS
1. Bellarmine         3-0
2. San Bernadino  2-1
3, SE Oklahoma     2-1
4. Incarnate Word 1-2
5. Hillsdale            1-2
6. Armstrong        0-3

TONIGHT
#6 SE Oklahoma (6-1) at #16 Bellarmine (6-1)
#7 San Bernadino (6-1) at #21 Hillsdale (5-2)
Incarnate Word (4-3) at Armstrong (2-5)

The host Bellarmine Knights can clinch the championship with a victory tonight

The Bellarmine Knights win the Derby Classic '62.

RESULTS
#16 Bellarmine 60; #6 SE Oklahoma 56
#21 Hillsdale 67; #7 San Bernadino 61
Armstrong 64; Incarnate Word 57

STANDINGS
1. Bellarmine         4-0
2. SE Oklahoma    2-2
3. Hillsdale            2-2
4. San Berandino 2-2
5. Armstrong       1-3
6. Incarnate Word 1-3

FINAL NIGHT
#16 Hillsdale at #13 Bellamine
#7 SE Oklahoma at Armstrong
#10 San Bernadino at Incarnate Word

RESULTS
#16 Bellarmine 65; #13 Hillsdale 60
#7 SE Oklahoma 74; Armstrong 57
#10 San Bernadino 70; Incarnate Word 58

FINAL STANDINGS
1. Bellarmine            5-0
2. San Bernadino    3-2
3. SE Oklahoma      3-2
4. Hillsdale              2-3
5. Armstrong          1-4
6. Incarnate Word  1-4

Congrats Greenie! Thanks for another fun tourney! GL the rest of the way and we'll see you in the NT.