I haven’t been paying that much attention to NCAA men’s basketball much this year, although two local teams — Duke and North Carolina — are doing quite well, but that is to be expected. NC State and Wake Forest aren’t living quite up to the top tier in the ACC, but they still have a shot at a post season birth even if it is “only” an appearance in the NIT.

The weekly rankings always catch my attention, simply because they really aren’t that accurate at this point in the season. I’m not taking anything away from Memphis and Kansas, but I’m doubtful that Drake or Saint Mary’s has what it takes to go the distance, let alone survive the first round of the NCAA tournament. Dayton can probably make a compelling reason for their high ranking, but we’ll see what comes up one month from now when the season winds down.

Most schools will have reached their half way mark in conference play by this weekend, setting up a mad rush to March Madness throughout the month of February. Conference tourneys get started around the first of March and culminate with the crowning of all champs soon thereafter.

If you aren’t familiar with the Science of Bracketology, you’ll want to study up — already, the pundits are seeding the Field of 65, the teams slated to appear in the NCAA tournament. Either way, March 16th is Selection Sunday the day when both pundit and prognosticator can learn where their teams stand.

Tags: Dayton, Drake, Duke, Final Four, Kansas, March Madness, Memphis, men's basketball, NC State, NCAA, North Carolina, Saint Mary's, Wake Forest

The college experience, at least for some students, is best spent through membership in fraternities and sororities, those “Greek” clubs where all sorts of debauchery is practiced.

Okay, fraternities have gotten a bad rap over the years but blame that on Animal House and assorted hazing news which tends to get a lot of air time when they happen. For the record: I wasn’t a member of a fraternity when I was in college, I’m not sure if my school even had them back then (but they do now).

USNews publishes an annual list of schools and their percentage of students in fraternities (which includes sororities). The winner? Tiny Clearwater Christian College (CCC) in Florida where every student is a member of one of twelve local fraternities or sororities. A conservative Christian school, CCC’s Greek activity wouldn’t suit most non-students as the Bible-based school is heavily involved with Christian missions.

Positions two through ten are as follows:

Washington and Lee University (VA) 83%
Ohio Valley University (WV) 75%
DePauw University (IN) 75%
Sewanee–University of the South (TN) 70%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 55%
Transylvania University (KY) 55%
Millsaps College (MS) 54%
Wabash College (IN) 54%
Westminster College (MO) 53%
Birmingham-Southern College (AL) 51%

Most of the schools making the USNews list are small and private with some having local frats, disallowing the involvement of national associations. Princeton University doesn’t allow fraternities at all, while others clearly attempt to contain them.

So, what’s your frat? More importantly, what is your frat’s claim to fame? Partying, socializing, networking, community goodwill, or a little bit of everything?

Tags: college, fraternity, sorority, university