"Our defensive numbers are better than what they were a year ago, which is pretty incredible stuff," head coach John Calipari said of his team's ferocious defense.

The Tigers (31-3, 16-0) ride a streak of 61 straight Conference USA victories and the nation's longest winning streak (25) into their quest for a National Championship. The Tigers - seeded No. 2 in the West Region, drew Cal State Northridge in Thursday's First Round of the NCAA Tournament at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. 

"What's happened here, you can't do on video games," Calipari said of the Tigers achievements. "And we're all intoxicated by it and think it's always this way. It's crazy!"

Tulsa's Head Coach, Doug Wojcik, had a matter-of-fact assessment about the Tigers dominance after his team was thumped 64-39 in the C-USA Tournament final. "You can't replicate that, and if you could, you'd play that way," he said.

The Tigers had four players score double digits: Antonio Anderson, 12, Doneal Mack, 11, Robert Dozier, 18 points and 14 rebounds, and Tyreke Evans, 18.  Junior forward, Shawn Taggart, and senior forward Dozier both received All-Tournament honors, and freshman sensation Evans was named Tournament MVP. 

Evans had a strong all-around game with 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals to go along with his 18 points.

"It's big for me to come to college and come out here and win the MVP," said Evans, the leading candidate for the nation's freshman of the Year Award in Division I Men's Basketball.

The conference tournament finale drew 14,058 fans who showered the three members of this year's Tigers senior class with praise for their 135 wins. A banner was lowered from the rafters at FedEx Forum. It read:

Antonio Anderson 5, Robert Dozier 2, Chance McGrady 31

Most Wins in NCAA History

This year's class of seniors excelled on and off the court. All will graduate on time. 

Guard Chance McGrady of Auburndale, Fla., will earn his degree in Sports Leisure Management. Dozier of Lithonia, Ga., will earn his degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. 

"I'll be the first person in my family to graduate, it's probably going to be emotional for me and my family," said Dozier.

Anderson of Lynn, Mass., will earn his degree in Interdisciplinary Studies-Communication.

"I never in a million years would have imagined that I would have graduated college," said Anderson. "And for me to be the first in my family, that means so much to me. And my family will be here."

The Tigers hopes for a No. 1 seed were dashed by the madness of a selection committee that awarded three No. 1 seeds to teams from one conference. That's a tough pill for those who seek fairness along with the spirit of competition. 

As for the selection process, Calipari said, "I'm happy, we're being treated fair, but as a whole, it has been much tougher for the non-BCS teams now."

The Big East Conference is a great conference. But in a field of 65 teams that hail from 347 schools representing 32 conferences, the selection of three No. 1 seeds from 1 conference and only 4 at-large bids from non-BCS conferences speaks volumes.  March Madness officially started on Selection Sunday.

The No. 2 seed Tigers are expected to advance to the Second Round, to play the winner of California vs. Maryland game on Saturday.  A victory in the second round means the Tigers would travel further west to Glendale, Ariz., to play in the Sweet Sixteen and a potential match up with the West Region No. 1 seed Connecticut.

The Tigers have the talent to "dribble-and-drive" their way to Detroit for a back-to-back Final Four appearance and another chance at winning the National Championship. 

Here's Calipari's take on that quest: "We need every guy on this team to be playing well to do what we are trying to do, which is win a national title."