Tournament Tracker: March 16

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Survive and advance.  It's the simplified motto of the postseason, but it rings true.  It's the expression and sentiment Cleveland State shared after a 63-60 victory over Vermont in the first round of the postseason NIT.  Outrebounded by 16, missing 11 free throws and hitting just 38.5-percent of their shots, the Vikings knew it was not their finest game of the season.

However, Cleveland State (27-8) made plays down the stretch, as Norris Cole scored the final six points of the game for the Vikings en route to a game-high 27 points.  The Vikings then watched Vermont (23-9) nearly force overtime, as Matt Glass's three-pointer at the horn rattled around the rim four times before sliding off.  After witnessing Cole's effect on the game and having faced Jimmer Fredette, Kemba Walker and Andrew Goudelock this season, Catamounts head coach Mike Lonergan said "We've gone against four of the greatest guards in the country."

Goudelock and the College of Charleston are up next for the Vikings, with the game time to be determined.  As a relieved Gary Waters said after picking up his 100th career win with the Vikings, "We won a tournament game.  That's important for us."  Survive and advance.

Cleveland State-Vermont highlights.

Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer says that Cole refused to let Cleveland State lose on Tuesday night.  Elton Alexander makes note of the guard matchup in the second round NIT game against College of Charleston.

David Glasier mentions that Cleveland State's bid for hosting the second round is already in; the NIT should make an announcement on the date, time and location today.

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Milwaukee and Valparaiso
Both Milwaukee and Valparaiso head into postseason play tonight, with the Panthers opening the NIT at Northwestern (8 p.m. ET, ESPN3.com) and the Crusaders hosting Iona in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (8:05 p.m. ET).

For Milwaukee (19-13), Rob Jeter is encouraging his team to enjoy playing postseason basketball.  The Panthers are back in the postseason for the first time since 2006, with Jeter telling Tom Enlund of the Journal-Sentinel, "We set goals.  And now we're Horizon League champs and I think to be playing in the NIT really speaks volumes in a sense that we were the No. 1 seed going in (to the League tournament) and our guys did that the hard way.  The program now is back to a championship level and now it's time to go out and have some fun."

Valparaiso (23-11) opens the CIT tonight against Iona with several goals in mind, notably receiving a bye into the quarterfinals with a win.  The CIT rewards the top four teams, as ranked by RPI, left in the field with byes; the Crusaders enter the tournament with the third-highest RPI in the field.  Valpo sits just two victories shy of matching the program's record for wins in a year.

 Mark Lazerus says that the 10 days off for Valpo provided ample time for physical - and mental - recovery.

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Butler
The Bulldogs arrived in Washington D.C. last night, and will have practice at the Verizon Center today.  Butler is facing an Old Dominion team that many have already tabbed as a "Cinderella" in this year's tournament.  However, David Woods of the Indianapolis Star points out that Butler's winning percentage over the last five years is second in the country only to Kansas.

Andy Katz says there will be blood in the Butler-Old Dominion game, given the physical nature of each team.

Old Dominion's rebounding proficiency is staggering, head coach Brad Stevens told Dan Dakich on 1070-AM in Indianapolis.

The Monarchs enter Thursday's game on a nine-game winning streak (just as Butler does), finding its stride at the right time, according to the Virginian-Pilot.  Old Dominion forward Keyon Carter says that he'd rather be a No. 9 seed near home than a No. 8 seed anywhere else.

Elsewhere in the NCAA Tournament, former Wright State had coach Brad Brownell is receiving praise for his work at Clemson, who won in the First Four last night.