March 4, 2008

The 2008 NCAA Division III Basketball Tournaments begin this Friday, March 7, and representing the SLIAC will be the Fontbonne University men and Maryville University women. Fontbonne captured their second consecutive SLIAC Tournament Championship and will travel to Millsaps College (Jackson, Miss.), where they will face the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at 6:00 pm in a first round game. The other two teams in the men's four-team regional are host Millsaps and Maryville College (Tenn.).

Maryville, who claimed their third consecutive SLIAC Tournament crown, will travel to Bloomington, Ill., to take on host Illinois Wesleyan University in an 8:00 pm first round game. The other two teams in the women's four-team regional are Manchester College and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Spring sports are in full gear, although not all SLIAC schools have begun competition. Winter weather has postponed many contests, but spring break travel to warmer weather is beginning to afford teams the opportunity to get in much needed outdoor play and competition. The SLIAC baseball schedule begins on Tuesday, March 18, with all schools playing a three-game series this season. SLIAC softball begins on Tuesday, March 25, with all schools playing a single round double header.