Pete Thamel, a contributor to ESPN The Magazine, couldn't wait to get to Dayton for the NCAA's first-ever play-in game. At least that's what he thought it was called.

A friend of mine who travels to Dayton on business frequently has a saying about the Gem City: "It's not hell, but you can see it from there."

That's way too harsh, but still I worried that my eyes would start to burn upon my arrival here in the kid sister of the NCAA Tournament sites. Compared to San Diego, New Orleans and Memphis, Dayton looks about as attractive as, well, Uniondale, L.I.

During the cab ride from the airport to the Donoher Center for the NCAA's newfangled play-in game on Tuesday night, the driver pulled into a lot with a sign advertising a junior-high ballet. "Oh, you mean the arena where the NCAA Tournament is?" he asked. "Right, I know that one."

My eyes started watering.

I kept reminding myself why I was here -- the play-in game. First off, I refuse to use the NCAA jargon, "Opening Round Game." That's about as nauseating as hearing, "Any questions for the STUDENT athletes?" at every press conference.

We finally got to the arena, which looks like an oversized bowling alley. Inside, I joined 6,000 empty seats to watch a nifty little game between Northwestern State (located in Natchitoches, La. -- home of Steel Magnolias) and Winthrop (located in Rock Hill, S.C. -- home of ... rocks?). I took my seat in press row, directly behind a freshly tanned Rick Pitino.

I must be seeing things now. Rick the Ruler didn't yell at Antoine Walker once.

The game ended with a Northwestern win -- rather Northwestern State -- and I figured it'd be easy to get someone from Winthrop to mouth off about the NCAA's new little play-in ploy.

Didn't happen. More than 90 minutes after the game ended, I was still peppering Winthrop head coach Gregg Marshall with questions. He didn't bite. Loves the opportunity. Loves the chance to win. Loves trying to make history. He even loved Dayton. And yes, he called this contest the "Opening Round Game."

Pass the Visine.

Pete Thamel writes for the Syracuse Post-Standard, and is a contributor to ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at pthamel@syracuse.com.