The Drake men's basketball team is headed to the NCAA Tournament without its live mascot, Griff II, a six-year-old English ...

and will only make exceptions for the Final Four games, as the host venue would be more able to accommodate an animal's needs ...

Michael Thomas' bulldog Pudger won the bout, earning a tinfoil crown, a rose bouquet and a Drake Relays medallion. The prize is of many animals nationwide receive for being the best in show.