There is so much great about college basketball that it can be easy to focus on the great successes — the Dukes and Marylands, the teams that consistently display basketball excellence.

But games like Tuesday’s play-in in Dayton, Ohio, prove that greatness — and success for that matter — come in many forms.

The presumably two worst teams in the NCAA tournament were asked to find enough wind to scrap for 40 minutes just to earn a right that used to be guaranteed to all conference champions: joining the proper 64-team field.

But it was No. 65 Siena that advanced.

Whether or not this is proper depends on the definition. If the best team were supposed to win, the NCAA would crown a national champion without holding a tournament. The fun part is that the teams must survive the battle on the court. And it all starts with teams like Siena and Alcorn State.

The Saints extended a two-point lead to five with 43 seconds left; Alcorn State had a chance to tie on its last possession, but a premature shot was blocked. That was after Siena failed to get the ball to half court.

So it was not pretty, but free throws clinched the 81-77 game as the Braves looked gut-wrenchingly on from the sidelines.

But just because the play was sloppy at times does not mean it was a poor game. Besides the intensity and exciting final seconds, this play-in featured spectacular athleticism. Major-conference programs passed on most of its players because they lacked the physical tools to play for a powerhouse. Frequently, though, these small athletes displayed big-time speed and creativity.

Alcorn State’s Marcus Fleming soared above the rim to put back his own shot and give the Braves a brief cushion at 64-60. Siena’s Prosper Karangwa matched that by launching an off-balance three between two defenders that sailed cleanly through the hoop.

Karangwa, who weighs 185 pounds even though he is 6-foot-7, exploded for 31 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. He likely saved the day after Siena’s best player, Dwayne Archbold, sat with three fouls 10 minutes into the first half.

That Siena, a sub-.500 team from the MAAC, can win an NCAA tournament game without the player who averages more than double his teammates’ production is remarkable.

So the Saints and their loyal convent of fans celebrated.

An Alcorn State victory would have been a great story, too.

The Braves’ coach is 72-year-old Davey Whitney, who has been at Alcorn State for 26 seasons. He owns the SWAC record for wins and NCAA tournament appearances and is roundly appreciated as a phenomenal teacher and individual.

In his last year, Alcorn State was head-and-shoulders above its conference, sweeping as expected to the regular season and tournament titles. Rewarded with another NCAA bid, a tournament win would have been a splendid parting tribute. With the ambiguous seeding of 16a, at least a play-in win seemed likely.

But Siena avoided elimination, which is perhaps even more fitting. The Saints have now won five such elimination games in a row.

Tournament basketball is great because unexpected rewards are always that much more exciting. Surely regional play will yield still more upsets, but the challenge of playing hard all the time for three weeks is just as evident in the fact that No. 65 can beat No. 64.

Siena has already lost 18 games this season. Six more wins would mean a national championship, so the battle is still uphill.

But Maryland had better watch out.