Historic NCAA Tournament Berths for High Point and Omaha

In a remarkable display of resilience, the High Point Panthers have secured their place in the NCAA Tournament for the first time as a Division I program. Overcoming a 15-point deficit in the second half, High Point triumphed over Winthrop with a final score of 81-69 in the Big South Tournament championship held on Sunday. This achievement marks a significant milestone since the Panthers transitioned to Division I in the 1999-2000 season.

Under the leadership of second-year head coach Alan Huss, High Point finished the regular season atop the Big South standings, earning the top seed in the conference tournament. They exhibited exceptional team performance by defeating Gardner-Webb, Radford, and Winthrop during their successful tournament run. With this victory, High Point enters the NCAA Tournament carrying a formidable 14-game winning streak that began in mid-January.

Omaha’s Historic NCAA Tournament Spot

Similarly, the Omaha Mavericks have also confirmed their spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, set to be held after the Summit League Tournament final. Late on Saturday night, Omaha clinched a berth while gearing up to face No. 2 seed St. Thomas, which, due to NCAA regulations, will be unable to participate in the tournament during its final transitional year from Division III to Division I. This unique situation ensures Omaha’s NCAA Tournament debut, regardless of the outcome on Sunday.

Missouri Valley Conference Spotlight

This Sunday, attention turns to the Missouri Valley Conference, where the championship will feature a face-off between top seed Drake and No. 2 seed Bradley. Both teams come into the game with a history of overcoming double-digit deficits in their respective semifinal matchups. Drake fought back from a 12-point deficit against Belmont to win 57-50, while Bradley rallied from an 11-point deficit to secure a 70-65 victory over Valparaiso. The outcome of this game will determine the final conference representative for the NCAA Tournament, broadcast live on CBS.

Upcoming Conference Tournament Schedule

As the conference tournaments progress, here is a snapshot of some key championship games and dates:

• ACC: Charlotte, NC – March 11-15, Championship on March 15 at 8:30 PM (ESPN)
• America East: Various Campus Sites – Championship on March 15 at 11 AM (ESPN2)
• American: Fort Worth, TX – Championship on March 16 at 3:15 PM (ESPN)
• Big South: Johnson City, TN – Championship game held on March 9, High Point is the champion
• Missouri Valley: St. Louis, MO – Championship on March 9 at 2:10 PM (CBS)

With both High Point and Omaha making history, this NCAA Tournament promises to be more thrilling than ever, showcasing the hard work and dedication of these programs.