March Madness has finally arrived, and for the first time in five years, Penn State students have a team of their own to root for in the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

As the Nittany Lions head off to the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans for their first-round game against Providence, many PSU basketball fans back in State College are excited.

"I'll definitely be watching the game on television," said Kimberly Niederst (senior-health policy/ administration). "I wish I could see it in person. I would have gone if it wasn't so far away."

Even casual college basketball fans are attracted to the spectacle of the Big Dance, and Penn State's inclusion in the tournament this year is an added bonus.

"I haven't really followed the team most of the year," said Samantha Sontag (junior-journalism). "I'll probably watch this game though, since it's a big one."

Some students recalled the Nittany Lions' last appearance in the tournament in 1996. Penn State fell to Arkansas 86-80 in the opening round.

But fans will hope that the team fares better this year than the disappointing loss at the hand of the Razorbacks five years ago.

"I vaguely remember watching that game, but it wasn't a very memorable performance," said Paul Lundholm (sophomore-history). "It's great that they finally made the tournament again, but I hope they make it farther than they did in '96."

The Lions, who are the seventh seed in the South Region, have not faced No. 10 seed Providence since 1971. But many fans think the team will come away with a first-round victory.

"I think they'll definitely beat Providence, but I'm not so sure about (expected second round opponent) North Carolina," said Niederst.

If the Lions advance to the second round, they could face a possible matchup with the second-seeded Tar Heels, a perennial basketball powerhouse. Still, some fans are optimistic of the Lions' odds.

"They have a pretty good chance to go far in the tournament," said D.J. Clark (junior-biology). "If they play the way they did in the Big Ten tournament, then they have a good shot."

The Lions finished 2-1 in the Big Ten tournament, which included last week's upset win over the South region's No. 1 seed and defending national champion Michigan State.

Penn State is also the only team in the tournament to have beaten two No. 1 seeds (Michigan State and Illinois) and a No. 2 seed (Kentucky). The Lions are 8-9 against teams selected for this year's tournament.

Matt Miller (sophomore-microbiology) said that he wouldn't miss the game for the world.

"I'll be home over the weekend, but I'll definitely watch the game with my dad," said Miller. "They're an exciting team to watch, and with their senior leadership they should be able to beat Providence."

Miller is not quite as confident about the Lions' chances of winning a national championship, however.

"If they play North Carolina, they'll definitely be overmatched. But it would be really great if they could pull it off."