The lowdown on OSU, Memphis, A&M and Tennessee

In anticipation of this Sweet 16 weekend's games, SIOC is checking in with students from all 16 schools to gage the reaction on campus.

OHIO STATE

	After keeping the Buckeyes Final Four dreams alive with a last-second three-pointer, Ron Lewis is the big man on Ohio State's campus. AP
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Conference: Big Ten
Location: Columbus, OH
Enrollment: 51,818
Last time in Sweet 16: 1999 (lost to UConn in Final Four)

Big Man on Campus: Ron Lewis, after hitting a three-pointer with two seconds left in regulation against state-rival Xavier to send the game into overtime. The Buckeyes prevailed in OT, advancing to the Sweet 16.

This is the best thing to happen to my school since: Either OSU won the national championship in football in 2002 or OSU beat Michigan in a battle of No. 1 vs. No. 2 this past fall, capping an undefeated regular season.

Buzz on campus: Currently there are a lot of things taking place in Columbus. The Boys High School Basketball State Championships will take place this weekend at the 'Schott, where OSU plays its home games. There were also first- and second-round NCAA tournament games that took place at Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus. The talk of the town, however, is the Buckeyes' dramatic win over Xavier. Other topics being discussed now are how far can OSU go in the tournament and should Greg Oden stay or head to the NBA?

Place to be for the games: The bars. There are many bars located on campus and in downtown Columbus, just three minutes from campus. Each bar is filled with scarlet and gray fans dining, drinking and enjoying the great atmosphere.

What it means to school to be in Sweet 16: Ohio State has traditionally been a decent basketball school, but it seems as if every time we have a great regular season or a good run in the Big Ten tournament, we blow it in the first two rounds of the NCAAs. Last year OSU won the Big Ten regular-season championship and received a No. 2 seed for the Big Dance. But in the second round OSU was knocked off by No. 7 Georgetown, another heartbreak for Buckeyes fans. This Sweet 16 appearance means a great deal to the players and fans because we finally got over the hump.
--Kyle Mason

MEMPHIS

Conference: Conference USA
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Enrollment: 20,465
Last Time in Sweet 16: 2006 (lost to UCLA in Elite Eight)

Big Man on Campus: Former Memphis football stars D'angelo Williams and Stephen Gostkowski were both drafted in the first round of the NFL draft.

Best Thing to Happen to my school since: Besides last year's team advancing to the Elite Eight, it's when Dejaun Wagner, who only stayed at school for one year, led the Tigers to the 2002 NIT Championship.

Buzz on campus: Next to the demolition of one our school's oldest buildings, the tournament is the most exciting thing going on around campus. More and more students are coming to class decked out from head to toe in Tiger jerseys and T-shirts. Multiple banners have been raised and one of the school cafeterias has installed a big-screen TV in the dining area specifically for watching the games.

Place to go for the Games: There are about 10 different bars and restaurants across Memphis designated as "watch parties. Newby's is the main bar that students go to watch the games because it is located adjacent to campus.

What it means to school to be in Sweet 16: Although Memphis is no stranger to the Sweet 16, this year is especially important due to the disappointing end to last season. Also, men's basketball is the only sport that we seem to be good at (our football team won two games last season).
--Shari R. Lofton

Texas A&M

Conference: Big 12
Location: College Station, Texas
Enrollment: 41,946
Last time in Sweet 16: 1980

Big Man on Campus: Acie Law IV, who's averaging 23 points per game in the tournament.

This is the best thing to happen to my school since: The football team beat the University of Texas 12-7 in Austin last fall.

Buzz on campus: If someone is talking about anything but the tournament, no one is listening. Just walk around campus and all you hear are the words Sweet Sixteen, Final Four, Acie Law, Billy Gillispie and anything else basketball-related.

Place to be for the games: The Northgate district is the main hangout for anyone wanting to watch the games in a bar, but most people will hole up at a friend's apartment or house. Especially if that friend has a big-screen.

What it means to school to be in Sweet 16: For Texas A&M to be in the Sweet 16 just three years after failing to win a game in the Big 12 is a major accomplishment. The school is still a football-minded university, but that is quickly changing. The turnaround has been so fast and drastic that many people don't realize how bad the team was. Making it this far in the tournament is a testament to the hard work and dedication from coach Gillispie and his players.
--Brent Shirley

TENNESSEE

Conference: SEC, Eastern Division
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Enrollment: 26,038
Last time in Sweet 16: 2000

Big Man on Campus: Chirs Lofton. The All-American guard's reputation as a sharpshooter may soon be overshadowed by his ability to hit big shots in the clutch. Lofton made six straight free throws in the final minutes against Virginia in the Vols' 77-74 victory and he has scored at least 20 points in consecutive tournament games

This is the best thing to happen to my school since: Bruce Pearl was hired. Few in Tennessee knew much about the charismatic Pearl when he was hired in April, 2005, but he has become the second-fastest coach to reach 300 wins and quickly joined Pat Summitt as the public faces of Tennessee basketball. From buying students pizza to painting his chest for a Lady Vols game, Pearl has been embraced by the Vol Nation.

Buzz on campus: UT alum/local god Peyton Manning would have to announce he is running for president for students to be any more excited. A win against top seed Ohio State will move Tennessee into the regional final for the first time in school history.

Place to be for the games: Buffalo Wild Wings on the Cumberland Avenue Strip. Granted it's a national chain and doesn't boast the atmosphere of local bar, but with more screens than your local Regal Cinema, it's a magnet for rowdy Tennessee fans. Folks wearing orange and white will flood the restaurant's interior as "Rocky Top" and other authentic Vol cheers echo off the walls, providing Buffalo Wild Wings with a surplus of local color.

What it means to the school to be in Sweet 16: Tennessee's breakthrough into the Sweet 16 continues to solidify its position as a top 20 program, especially considering the Volunteers are just two years removed from not being invited to the NCAA or NIT tournament. Pearl returns to the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years and appears to have laid the groundwork for future trips. Men's basketball in Tennessee has become important again and the opportunity to join the elite programs in the country.
--Glenn Shinaberry