In an alternate universe, the NCAA tournament is decided trial-by-combat style, with each school's mascot serving as its champion. Mascot basketball, as we all know, is the sport at its purest form.

Drake's beloved mascot, Griff II, is banned from the NCAA Tournament's first round due to regulations, sparking fan outrage.

Griff stole the hearts of basketball fans everywhere earlier this month when he was heavily featured on TV coverage of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament in St. Louis.

Fans navigating the dozens of schools in the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments might become as attached to the mascots as the athletes themselves. Furry, animated characters used as ...