CSRA showdown

Has there ever been a more meaningful college basketball game in the CSRA?

Nope. Not ever.

Augusta State University and the University of South Carolina-Aiken play at 7 o'clock tonight at ASU's Christenberry Fieldhouse for the right to go to the men's "Elite Eight" Division II tournament in Springfield, Mass., next week -- where a new national champion will be crowned.

The ASU Jaguars won this same Southeast Regional tournament last year and did go on to play in the national championship game, where they lost. This year, with both area teams knocking at the national championship door, Christenberry Fieldhouse will be rockin' tonight like never before.

You will see two of the best teams in all of Division II basketball, teams that are just miles apart and which play in the same Peach Belt Conference and know each other well. The Jags have beaten the Pacers two out of three -- including the thrilling one-point Peach Belt tourney championship game. But anything can and does happen in this world-class rivalry right here in the CSRA.

It's a shame both teams can't go on to the Elite Eight -- a shame they had to meet in the same regional.

But as long as they're in the same bracket, this is the regional championship many folks have been pining for: ASU, ranked 4th in the nation, vs. USC-Aiken, ranked 16th.

This is also the last time ASU fans will get to see hometown product Garret Siler, a 7-foot leviathan in the lane who again leads the nation in field goal percentage.

Whoever wins, the CSRA is assured of sending one team to the Elite Eight again this year. And either one has a legitimate shot at the national title.

Come out and cheer them on.