TOP SPORTING EVENTS: MARCH 17-28

March Madness hits Santa Barbara hard today (Thurs., March 17), with three college basketball teams in postseason play – UCSB versus Florida in the NCAA men’s tournament (3:45 p.m.), UCSB at USC in the Women’s NIT (7 p.m.) and Westmont versus Lewis-Clark State in the NAIA women’s tournament (7:45 p.m.). All three teams, lower seeded than their opponents, are hoping it’s a day of upsets.

The Gaucho men are seeded No. 15 in the Southeast Region. Not only will they be trying to knock off Florida in its home state, they will try to become the first 15th seed to win a tournament game since 2001. The winner of their game will face either UCLA or Michigan State on Saturday.

Dos Pueblos High will stage its 36th DP Invitational volleyball tournament Saturday at UCSB’s Thunderdome. Bellarmine Prep of San Jose is the two-time defending champion.

The Mission City Brawlin’ Betties will be wheeling around the Earl Warren Showgrounds in another roller derby bout Saturday against the San Diego Derby Dolls.

UCSB hosts Nevada in a baseball double-header Saturday and a single game Sunday.

Thursday, March 17

College softball – Oxnard at SBCC (2), 1 p.m.

High school track & field – Buena at San Marcos, 3 p.m.

High school softball – Righetti at Dos Pueblos, 3:30 p.m.

College men’s basketball – NCAA tournament: UCSB vs. Florida at Tampa, 3:45 p.m. (TV: TBS).

College women’s basketball – WNIT: UCSB at USC, 7 p.m. NAIA Championships: Westmont vs. Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) at Jackson, Tenn., 7:45 p.m.

Friday, March 18

High school softball – Ventura at San Marcos, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 19

High school track & field – Tri-City Relays at Dos Pueblos, 9 a.m.

High school boys volleyball – Dos Pueblos Invitational at UCSB Thunderdome, 8 a.m.; Loyola at Santa Barbara, 2 p.m.

College baseball – Nevada at UCSB (2), 12 p.m.; Hancock at SBCC, 1 p.m.

Roller derby – Mission City Brawlin’ Betties vs. San Diego Derby Dolls, Earl Warren Showgrounds, 5 p.m.

College men’s volleyball – Long Beach City at SBCC, 6 p.m.

Sunday, March 20

College baseball – Nevada at UCSB, 1 p.m.

Monday, March 21

Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon, Harry’s Plaza Café, 12 p.m.

Tuesday, March 22

College baseball – Carleton (Minn.) at Westmont, 2:30p.m.

College softball – Moorpark at SBCC, 2:30 p.m.

High school baseball – San Marcos at Santa Barbara, 3:15 p.m.

High school softball – Santa Barbara at San Marcos, 3:30 p.m.; Ventura at Dos Pueblos, 3:30 p.m.

High school boys volleyball – San Luis Obispo at Dos Pueblos, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, March 23

College baseball – San Diego Christian at Westmont (2), 11 a.m.

High school softball – Hueneme at San Marcos, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 24

College baseball – Cuesta at SBCC, 2:30 p.m.

High school softball – Dos Pueblos at Santa Barbara, 3:30 p.m.

High school boys volleyball – San Marcos at Santa Barbara, 6 p.m.; Ventura at Dos Pueblos, 6 p.m.

Friday, March 25

College track & field – Easter Relays, La Playa Stadium, 9 a.m.; Collegiate Classic at Westmont, 1 p.m.

High school baseball – Santa Barbara at Dos Pueblos, 3:15 p.m.; Buena at San Marcos, 3:15 p.m.; Villanova Prep at Bishop Diego, 3:30 p.m.; Malibu at Carpinteria, 3:30 p.m.

College men’s volleyball – Moorpark at SBCC, 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 26

High school track & field – Easter Relays, La Playa Stadium, 9 a.m.

College track & field – Collegiate Classic at Westmont,10 a.m.

College softball – Bash at the Beach, Pershing Park: SBCC vs. El Camino, 12 p.m.; SBCC vs. East L.A., 4 p.m.

Sunday, March 27

College softball – Bash at the Beach, Pershing Park: SBCC vs. Saddleback, 11 a.m.; SBCC vs. Golden West, 3 p.m.

Monday, March 28

Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon, Harry’s Plaza Café, 12 p.m.

RUNNING, WALKING, CYCLING

Saturday, March 19 – Barbara Ireland 10-Mile Walk/Run for the Cure of Breast Cancer, Chase Palm Park Pavilion, 7 a.m. registration, 8:30 walk. ccsb.org.

Saturday, April 2 – Montecito Half Marathon. active.com.

Saturday, April 16 – Chardonnay 10 Miler/5K, Loma Alta and Shoreline Drive, a.m. sbactionpro.com.

Friday-Saturday, April 29-30 – Santa Barbara Endurance Races (100 mile, 100K, 50 mile, 50K, 35K, 25K 15K), Rancho Oso, 6 a.m. sber.co.

Saturday, April 30 – Gaucho Gallop, 10K/5K, UCSB Harder Stadium, 9 a.m. ucsbruns.com.

Wednesday, May 4 – Nite Moves Summer Sunset Series (1k swim, 5k run), Leadbetter Beach, 6 p.m. Continues every Wednesday through August 31. runsantabarbara.com.

Saturday, May 7 – Wine Country Half Marathon, Sagunto Street, Santa Ynez, 7 a.m. runsantaynez.com.

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