Mild-Mannered Mascots with March Madness on the Mind

Akron University Zips
Campus Coordinates: Akron, Ohio
March Outlook: Zippy the Kangaroo, the 2007 Capital One Mascot of the Year, remains unlikely to strike fear in opponents in the immediate future. However, the MAC's 2^nd ranked squad may garner an NCAA berth by repeating as last year's Conference Tournament champions come March 2010. The Zips' (18-7, 8-3) superior talent and prior tournament experience render the squad the most capable of the 5 teams to wear the "Cinderella-slipper" and pull off an unexpected NCAA Tournament upset.

University of California-Santa Barbara Gauchos
Campus Coordinates: Santa Barbara, California
March Outlook: Somewhere UCSB-alum Jim Rome is "burning," but the Gauchos' mascot, Ole', undoubtedly resembles a puppeteer at Chucky Cheese's, as seen here. Gauchos are the South American equivalent of the cowboy, making their basketball prowess highly questionable. The 2009-2010 Gauchos (13-8, 8-3) currently top the Big West standings in a tie with Pacific. UCSB's last earned an NCAA Tournament berth in 2002 and Conference Tournament Championship would likely warrant a 16^th seed, leaving Rome and "Gaucho-groupies" grieving.

Campbell University Fighting Camels
Campus Coordinates: Buies Creek, North Carolina
March Outlook: No, "Fighting Camels" is not part of a new anti-smoking campaign, rather the unique nickname belongs to Campbell University. With only one prior NCAA tournament appearance, the program emerges as an unlikely contender in the wide-open Atlantic Sun Conference. The Fighting Camels (14-9, 9-5) remain a half-game behind first place, led by 17.6 point per game scorer, Jonathan Rodriguez. If the unsung Camels' black tongues do taste the thrill of March Madness by winning the A-Sun Conference Tournament, expect a rocky ride as a likely 16^th seed in the "Big Dance." Nonetheless, cutting down the nets would be a priceless experience for the Campbell contingent, especially if UNC fails to secure a berth.

Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers
Campus Coordinates: Conway, South Carolina
March Outlook: Pronounced "SHON-ti-clear," Coastal Carolina's unique mascot can best be characterized as an enlightened, more chivalrous form of the Gamecock. Thankfully, the team's logo underwent a considerable facelift in 2002,thus, no longer resembling the Corn Flakes' rooster. Chanticleer-nation appears likely to experience "Big Dance" excitement for the first time since 1993. The team (21-4, 11-2) leads the Big South Conference and would love to follow in the "Cinderella" footsteps of conference-mate Winthrop, whose upset of Notre Dame in the 2006 NCAA tournament remains legendary.

Stony Brook University Seawolves
Campus Coordinates: Stony Brook, New York
March Outlook: Independently, the words "wolf" and "sea" provoke fear, fierceness, and danger. However, uniting the two terms appears detrimental in conjuring similar emotions, especially when referencing the Seawolves's hoop history. The program has never experienced March Madness, yet the team (17-1, 9-2) surprisingly leads the American East Conference in 2009-2010. If the team wins the AE Conference Tournament, expect a first round NCAA Tournament flounder, but simply making the field would be a historical feat. Stony Brook's mascot owns a fin and fur for goodness sake.

Reference Links
Statistics, records, and basketball-related information as reflected on ESPN.com on February 11, 2010.
www.gozips.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=48366&SPID=4342&DB_OEM_ID=10800&ATCLID=323374
http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/trads/gaucho.html
http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/genrel/blank_ole00.html
http://www.gocamels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15300&KEY=&ATCLID=801890
http://www.goccusports.com/trads/WhatisaChanticleer.html
http://www.bigsouthsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4800&ATCLID=3701226
http://www.americancollegehockey.com/2009/12/happy-holidays-from-suny-stony-brook.html