It all begins on March 18  – the craziness that is known as March Madness.

  And, three ACCAC alums will me making their presence known as they try to lead thinging eir current squads to major upsets.

  The three, Mesa's Adonis Arms, and Pima's Rashad Smith and Mahki Morris, of Cochise, are getting to participate in the Big Dance.

  Arms will be trying to help one of the hottest mid-majors, Winthrop of North Carolina, extend its season against one of the biggest powers of recent years, Villanova.

  The Winthrop Eagles, champions of the Big South, and holders of a 23-1 record, will take on a Villanova team having a "down" year with a 16-6 record. That fine mark is considered "down" by recent Wildcat standards. Winthrop is a 12-seed and Villanova a No. 5.

  Arms is the Eagles second leading scorer with a 10.5 average, but does it all coming off the bench. He hasn't started a single game.

  At Mesa he was a third team all-ACCAC and second team all-Region I, DI, choice as a sophomore and was that team's second leading scorer as well with a 12.1 average.

  Smith is playing with a Grand Canyon team making its first-ever appearance in the tournament.

  The Lopes are champions of the WAC and hold a 17-6. They are a No. 15 seed. Their opponent, Iowa, of the Big 10, is a No. 2 with a 21-8 record.

  Smith is averaging 4.1 points per game. He averaged 13.0 points during his freshman season and 18.8 as a sophomore at Pima. He earned second team all-ACCAC honors that year and was first team all-Region I, DII.

  Morris is averging 6.4 points for Abilene Christian which is 23-4 and seeded No. 14. It will take on third seeded Texas, 19-7.

  At Cochise Morris averaged 17.9 points per game as a sophomore.

  For those who would like to watch these two great former ACCAC players here is the schedule.

Winthop will play at 6:57 Arizona time Friday on TNT and Grand Canyon at 3:25 AZ time Saturday on TBS.

  If we have missed any other former ACCAC players in the Big Dance please let us know at wayne.block@mesacc.edu.