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The Mayhem Before The Madness

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 8, 2009

Thirty years ago, the SEC restored its men's basketball tournament - after a 27-season hiatus.

The following season, with ESPN in its infancy, the Big East began a tournament of its own.

And in many ways, March Madness has never been the same.

This week, the SEC heads to Tampa for the first time, making only its second trip to Florida (Orlando, 1990). Meanwhile, the Big East opens its tournament field to the entire 16-team membership for the first time, giving the USF Bulls their first opportunity to advance in March since 2005.

The first NCAA Tournament bids were awarded on Saturday, but Tampa's interest in March Madness will intensify when the Bulls hit New York's Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, then when the 12-team SEC begins tournament play on Thursday.

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