Location: Joplin, MO
Dates: March 9-12, 2022
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Tournament Information
The Bruins men's basketball team returns to the NCCAA DII National Tournament for the first time since the 2018-19 season as the team competes this week in Joplin, Missouri. The Bruins earned the #6 seed for the tournament after winning their third NCCAA DII South Region Championship.
"This is what we have prepared for in playing a tough schedule this season," Bruins Head Men's Basketball Coach Burton Uwarow said. "We are not going to trick anyone at nationals. We need to trust what got us here and play good defense and have good shot selection. We're excited to compete."
The Bruins battled through a difficult start to the season but the team ended the first semester strong with back to back wins to go into Christmas break. After the break, the Bruins began to find their stride as the team went 7-2 in region play and closed out the regular season winning four of their last five games.
The Bruins earned the #3 seed for the regional tournament where they defeated #6 Southeastern Baptist University 83-71. The Bruins then defeated #2 seeded Trinity Baptist before edging #4 Johnson University (FL) to capture the region title.
At nationals, the Bruins will face a strong field of competition. The seeding for the national tournament is as follows:
- #1 - Great Lakes Christian College
- #2 - Campbellsville University - Harrodsburg
- #3 - Manhattan Christian College
- #4 - Crown College
- #5 - Arlington Baptist University
- #6 - Bob Jones University
- #7 - Ozark Christian College
- #8 - Emmaus Bible College
The Bruins open the national tournament as they face #3 Manhattan Christian College on Thursday. The Thunder come into the national tournament after earning the at-large bid. MCC finished the season at 22-8 overall but came up short in the region quarterfinal as they were upset by Dallas Christian College 91-87. The winner will advance to the semifinal on Friday with the NCCAA DII National Championship on Saturday.
This will be just the second matchup between the Bruins and Thunder in their history. The two teams last met during the 2016-17 national tournament where the Bruins won convincingly 115-85 in a consolation game.
Thursday's game against Manahattan Christian will tip-off at 7 p.m. in Joplin, Missouri.
