Queens' March Madness identity centers on a $150 dog figurine

Queens introduced a $150 German Shepherd figurine nicknamed Buddy as a locker-room honor for hard, unglamorous work; the ASUN champion qualified for the NCAA tournament in its first year of eligibility and enters as a 15-seed set to face Purdue.

Queens coach Grant Leonard introduced a German Shepherd figurine called Buddy as a team honor and symbol this season. The figurine was purchased online for about $150 and is awarded as "Street Dog of the Game" to players who do tough, unglamorous work. Queens, a small Charlotte university and ASUN champion, qualified for the NCAA tournament in its first year of eligibility. The 15-seed Royals will face two-seed Purdue in St. Louis. Key facts: - Buddy is a German Shepherd figurine purchased for about $150 and placed in the locker room early in the season. - The award is called "Street Dog of the Game" and is given for effort plays such as diving for loose balls and stout defensive work. - Players touch Buddy before games, and the player who earns the honor sits with the figurine at his locker until the next game. - Queens (21-13) won the ASUN tournament by beating Austin Peay and Central Arkansas to secure the automatic NCAA bid. - This is Queens' first NCAA tournament appearance in its first year of eligibility; the team is a 15-seed scheduled to play Purdue in St. Louis. - Coach Grant Leonard has been on Queens' staff since 2013 and became head coach in 2022; he says Buddy has helped shape the team's identity. Summary: A small figurine has become a unifying symbol for Queens' emphasis on effort and team play rather than individual highlights. The recognition helped raise the program's profile as the Royals enter the NCAA tournament as a 15-seed. Their next scheduled game is against Purdue in St. Louis.