For the first time in eight years the SMU faithful have a basketball team to cheer for in postseason action.

After recording the most wins in school history (24) this season, the SMU women’s basketball team offers basketball fanatics, along with novice fans, a chance to have some pride in SMU basketball.

The NCAA Tournament is exciting. It does not matter whether you have followed the Mustangs for the entire season or have never seen them play a game. The matchup between SMU and Notre Dame on March 23 may very well be the most exciting moment in SMU sports for this entire academic year.

If the Conference USA championship game is any indication, the Mustangs will battle the Irish with everything they have. In the conference final, SMU elevated its game to another level and showed the intensity needed to win in the tournament.

On top of force and power, the Mustangs play an exciting brand of basketball that combines challenging defense, high scoring and a fast pace. This combination keeps fans on the edge of their seats for all 40 minutes of the basketball game.

Apart from the excitement surrounding this first-round game, it is important to look at the significance of this matchup from many different angles.

For the university, the NCAA Tournament offers great exposure and publicity to people all around the country. Participating in the tournament should benefit the women’s basketball program, as well as other sports programs.

For seniors like Katy Cobb and Janielle Dodds, this will be their final chance to play college basketball and represent their university. Making the tournament has long been a dream of theirs since they arrived on this campus over three years ago, and watching them live this dream should be a moving experience.

SMU head coach Rhonda Rompola has not been to the tournament in eight years and is looking for SMU to make a tournament run. She has the most wins in SMU basketball history and has a chance to further her coaching credentials.

With all of the excitement and story lines surrounding the game, it is nearly impossible to ignore the women’s basketball team.

No matter what happens on March 23, the team certainly deserves the praise and gratitude of SMU for inspiring school spirit on the Hilltop.

If you can’t make it to West Lafayette, Ind., for the game, watch and cheer on the ladies from anywhere in the country at 1:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.