Connecticut is home to some of the finest colleges and universities in the country, and this year's March Madness helps shine a light on some of our best.

When the NCAA basketball tournaments tip off this week, five Connecticut colleges will be represented – UConn, Yale, Trinity, Wesleyan, and Fairfield.

Each of these schools are nationally ranked academic institutions of higher education, and by the way play some pretty good basketball too.

The UConn men will be seeking their third straight national championship, while the women look to bring title number 12 back to Storrs.

With their second Ivy League tournament win in a row, the Yale men also earned a slot in this year's "Big Dance."

By virtue of their second straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title, the Fairfield University's women's team secured a spot in the NCAA bracket as well.

Both the Trinity and Wesleyan men have played their way to the Division III Final Four. Wesleyan boasts the best record (30-1) of all the teams in the NCAAs, with their only defeat versus the Trinity in the NESCAC championship game in Middletown.

Rivals since 1902 with only 17 miles separating the two campuses, ironically their semifinal showdown is taking place in Indiana.

Whether you are an alum of one of these great schools, or a basketball fan who gets excited for the annual March Madness, let's all root for our Connecticut contingent and be proud of the wonderful institutions representing our beautiful state.