NCAA Previews: Recognize the Cal State Fullerton Titans

Conference: Big West
Record: 23-8, 12-4 in conference
RPI: 79
How They Got In: Automatic bid
Seed/Bracket: No. 14/Midwest

Mascot: Titans. The name Titans beat out Aardvarks, thankfully. But why is the elephant the mascot? From the school's website. The "First Intercollegiate Elephant Race in Human History" was held in 1962. What began as a practical joke attracted elephants from universities around the nation and even Oxford from England . A crowd estimated at more than 10,000 people turned out on "Dumbo Downs" as the hastily graded field became known that spring afternoon in 1962. To publicize the event, a circus-like elephant called Tuffy the Titan was used and it began appearing on sweaters and notebook covers around the campus. With no other mascot, the elephant was unofficially adopted.

Big Wins: Portland State

Notable Loss: Wright State. Fans in attendance for this game will swear that the Horizon League referees wanted to ensure that their team was going to win the game. That might have been the difference between Fullerton being a 14 or 13 seed.

Player You Should Know: Scott Cutley was the Big West co-player of the year, but the Titans tournament hopes will rest on Josh Akognon the conference tournament MVP. Akognon made the big shots when needed to get Fullerton this far. He will need to be even better if the Titans are to advance. The Titans are going to face Wisconsin in the opening round who will no doubt shadow Akognon. He will need to work hard to get his shots.

Outlook: The Titans advance to the tournament for the first time since 1978. And the current edition shares a lot of similarities with its predecessors. The 1978 team also had a conference co-player of the year (Greg Bunch) and was the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament. That team advanced to the Elite 8, and was a whisper away from the Final Four. Can the Titans do it again? The Titans fans certainly believe. Beating Wisconsin, however, won't be easy.