How well did Columbia do in hosting an NCAA men's tournament regional?
Scott Powers from Experience Columbia SC Sports, the organization who was the driving force behind the regional coming to the Midlands, says everything went about as perfect as he could have hoped.
Even the weather provided a pleasant backdrop to the drama that took place inside the Colonial Life Arena.
For Powers, his organization received tremendous support from city and state officials along with the USC athletics department. The end result was a Super Bowl-type event for Columbia that drew the praise of Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski who complimented the state troopers specifically for the way they helped the Blue Devils get from Point A to Point B during their visit.
As far as what could be next on the docket, Powers says he will explore the possibility of bringing an NCAA Sweet 16 to the Midlands. But even if that doesn't materialize, another regional will be back and it won't take 49 years.