Jacob Pullen has the flu. Mizzou a pick ’em? March Madness has begun

If employers weren’t already losing productivity due to St. Patrick’s Day, it’ll be even worse today with the start of the NCAA Tournament (we’re not counting those Tuesday/Wednesday games). Luckily for local businesses (and St. Paddy’s Day revelers), Kansas State and Missouri play in Thursday’s late games.

The big news heading into tonight’s Kansas State-Utah State game is Wildcats guard Jacob Pullen and the flu. The Star reported that Pullen missed practice on Wednesday with flulike symptoms, but he’s expected to be good to go by the 8:57 p.m. game time (watch on truTV). The Cats are going to need him in a matchup that many experts say will be a tough one (although President Obama is picking K-State to make the Sweet Sixteen).