March Madness: Here’s when the Indiana teams play today and more about Josh Speidel

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Staff Reports
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March 16, 2017

Today’s the day when work place productivity takes a dip, when we go looking for Cinderella and when we rip our brackets to shreds when they get busted by some giant killer.

Three Indiana teams are in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and many of us around Columbus have adopted Vermont because of Columbus North grad Josh Speidel.

So here’s when and where you can watch today’s games:

  • Noon
    Notre Dame vs. Princeton, at Buffalo. CBS
  • 1 p.m.
    Butler vs. Winthrop, at Milwaukee. TNT
  • 7:27 p.m.
    Purdue vs. Vermont, at Milwaukee. TruTV

‘Underdog story in Josh Speidel’

The Washington Post story on Josh Speidel

Columbus North graduate Josh Speidel’s inspiring story is spreading.

The Washington Post told his story. Here’s an excerpt:

“He’s just a constant reminder of how much we each have, and how much we take for granted,” Vermont coach John Becker said. “We all have our good days and bad days, just like Josh does, but he comes in every day and he’s as determined as ever to get better. Imagine how hard it is for this kid, who I thought could be one of the best players to ever play at Vermont, and to have that taken away from him, to never let that get him down. He never stops working and pushing himself. He’s just a really special person and a huge inspiration for us.”

‘Keeps us humble’

Republic sports editor Ted Schultz talked to Josh Speidel and his coach, John Becker, before they left for Milwaukee on Monday. Click here to find out how they are approaching the big game and why Becker says Speidel “keeps us humble.”

‘Grace. Determination. Hard work.’

Video from America East TV:

Who Skyped with Josh today?

All eyes on Indiana teams, and Vermont

For Hoosiers, the Purdue vs. Vermont matchup in the opening round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament on Thursday (7:27 p.m. on TruTV) will be extra special.

Yes, the Boilermakers are one of three Indiana teams (Butler and Notre Dame are the others) in the tourney. Yes, the Catamounts have the longest winning streak  in the nation (21) on the line. And yes, all Cinderella-loving March Madness fans will be checking in to see if a No. 13 seed (Vermont) can upend a No. 4 (Purdue).

But for Columbus and beyond, there’ll be a guy sitting on the Vermont bench whose story is remarkable. The Columbus North High School graduate almost died in February 2015. Read about his story here.

Here’s more on the Catamounts:

Speidel defies the odds
SB Nation Hammer and Rails writer Travis Miller talked to Lee Trombley, a University of Vermont blogger. Here’s an excerpt:

T-Mill: Finally, what can you tell us about Josh Speidel? His story is such an inspiration and it was fantastic what Purdue did to honor him last season. Does he dress during games? If the game gets out of hand is there a chance he gets into the game at the very end at least symbolically?

Lee: Josh Speidel is an incredible person who has had a huge effect on the Vermont community as a whole. He continues to defy the odds and is a symbol of the power of belief and determination. He is redshirting this year with hopes that he will at some point during his career be able to dress for games. On Thursday you will see him on the bench sporting his trademark bow tie and cheering on his teammates.

Read the entire Q&A here.

Does the slipper fit Vermont?
This is from NBC sports:

Vermont: The Catamounts haven’t lost a game since before Christmas. No. 13 Vermont efficient on both ends of the court. They get good shots, they have a play-making point guard in Trae Bell-Haynes and they control the pace. That could cause problems for No. 4 seed Purdue, and one of the reasons why it wouldn’t be shocking if Vermont made a run. However, the Boilermakers can counter Caleb Swanigan, a nightmare matchup who can quickly end a Cinderella fairytale.

Read about other possible bracket busters here.

 

 

 

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