TOPEKA, Kan. – It's been a record-breaking season to remember for the Minot State men's basketball team, and it's not over yet.
Sunday night, the Beavers heard their name called for the first time ever during the NCAA Division II men's basketball selection show and will be playing in the NCAA National Tournament on Saturday, March 15, in Kansas.
"I couldn't be more excited for the men in our program," Minot State head coach
Matt Murken said. "They have worked extremely hard for this opportunity.
"This was one of the goals at the start of the season," Murken added. "We have a few more that we still need to check off."
Minot State (26-9 overall) earned the No. 4 seed in the Central Region and will play a familiar foe in NSIC rival Concordia, St. Paul (21-8). The Golden Bears also will be making their NCAA National Tournament debut. The Beavers and Golden bears close out the first day of action with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The winner advances to the Central Region semifinals on Sunday, March 16, to face the winner of the Washburn Ichabods (26-3) versus the Harding Bison (22-9). The Ichabods are the No. 1 seed in the region and tournament host. Harding is the No. 8 seed. Tip-off for that semifinal match-up is slated for 7:30 p.m.
The Central Region title game is slated for Tuesday, March 18, at 7 p.m.
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Other Saturday quarterfinal match-ups include the No. 2 seed Minnesota State Moorhead (23-8) taking on No. 7 seed Fort Hays State (22-9), and No. 3 seed Winona State (21-10) taking on No. 6 seed Southwest Minnesota State (21-8).
The Beavers set a program record with 26 wins this season, which included starting the season 17-0, also a program record. Minot State achieved an all-time high national ranking of No. 4 in the NABC Top 25 poll, and set single-season team records for points (2,824), rebounds (1,281), and 3-pointers (320) made this season, as well.
Minot State last advanced to nationals in 2008 when the Beavers qualified for the NAIA Division II men's national tournament in Branson, Missouri.
