Streaking Texas Southern won't be cowed by UA

COACH MIKE DAVIS
 COURTESY: TEXAS SOUTHERN ATHLETICS

TUCSON, Arizona -- Mike Davis knows all about March. And marching.

As Bob Knight’s successor at Indiana, Davis guided the Hoosiers to four NCAA tournament appearances. His 2002 team advanced to the national championship game — as a No. 5 seed, no less — before losing to Maryland.

Davis moved on to UAB, where he led the Blazers to a tournament appearance. He did the same at Texas Southern a year ago.

So Davis, whose Tigers will take on Arizona Thursday, knows what it takes to get to this point.

Start with scheduling. Texas Southern faced five teams this season that made Sunday’s NCAA tournament bracket: Indiana, Baylor, Gonzaga, Michigan State and New Mexico State. The Tigers also took on Florida, Auburn, Tennessee and Kansas State, major conference teams that were all left out of the tournament.

Davis’ team won at Michigan State in overtime, 71-64, and won at K-State 58-56. Texas Southern lost to New Mexico State and Auburn by one and two points, respectively.

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