Philadelphia: Start the fire, make the pizza

’Nova Nation: The 5-seed Wildcats have a storied March Madness history with three National Championships, including their 1985 win as a No. 8 seed. This Cinderella story still holds the record for lowest seed to ever win the title. Never count out the ’Cats.

• The team needs some of that ’85 magic this year as they enter the tournament without co-Big East Player of the Year Collin Gillespie. His season ended with a torn MCL earlier this month. Tragic.

• Thankfully, guard Justin Moore is back after suffering a severe ankle sprain and is ready to help high-scoring forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl show the NCAA what they’ve got.

• The Wildcats open the tournament against the Big South Conference champion and No. 12 seed Winthrop Eagles in the first round on Friday. The Eagles have lost only one game this season, but the ’Cats are ready to make it two.

Do it like Drexel: This is Drexel’s fifth-ever March Madness appearance and their first in 25 years. The No. 16 seed Dragons have a first-round face-off against the No. 1 seed U of I Illini, whom many bracketeers consider a strong contender for the title. Sounds like a job for a fairy godmother.

• Drexel guard Camren Wynter leads the team in average points per game, but sophomore forward Mate Okros has gotten hot lately, leading the team with 14 points in their conference championship win. Catch them at tip off on Friday at 1:15 p.m. ET.