STEERS HEADED TO THE "BIG DANCE"
Last night, Thursday, March 7, the Texas College Men's Basketball Team was selected for the 2024 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men’s Basketball National Championship Tournament. The Steers enter the tournament as a number nine seed with a 22-8 overall record. The Steers finished second in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC), having defeated three NAIA top 25 teams (Xavier University of Louisiana, LSU-Shreveport, and LSU-Alexandria).
Texas College Men's Basketball Team learn that they have been selected for the 2024 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament
Placed in the Cramer Quadrant of the bracket, Texas College will travel to Henderson, Tennessee, to face off against Point Park University from Pennsylvania in the first round of the tournament. The matchup will take place on Friday, March 15, at 5:00 P.M. (CT).
"It's an indescribable, inexpressible feeling," said Head Basketball Coach Matt Cross. "Just a feeling of pure joy to get Texas College to their first NAIA Men's Basketball National Tournament in school history."
The players are also excited for this opportunity. "It's an amazing feeling being able to play in the tournament. Not many teams in NAIA get this opportunity to play," said Jarvin Graham, junior guard from Chicago, Illinois. "As we progressed throughout the season, the team got closer. We built a stronger bond and began to gel more, and it got us to the national tournament."
In a pre-season poll, Texas College was picked to finish last in the RRAC. However, Coach Cross and his players did not let that ranking deter them. Instead, they went to work and their efforts have proven fruitful.
"Just by the laws of nature, we're supposed to be here. It's meant for us to be here because of the work we have continued to put in throughout the season," said Tim Denton, senior guard from Missouri City, Texas. "All of those hours, the long nights grinding, everything that we needed to have happen, happened to lead us here."
While this is Texas College's first appearance in the NAIA National Tournament, it is not the College's first appearance on the intercollegiate athletics national stage. The Steers previously won two men's basketball national championships in 1992 and 1993; however, these championships were in the National Small College Athletic Association (NSCAA), prior to the College joining the NAIA. Texas College split a conference championship in the late 2000s, but missed their bid for the national tournament by one vote.
2024 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament Bracket
For individuals interested in attending the Texas College game against Point Park University, tickets range from $10-$20; children under the age of four are free. Tickets may be purchased at the gate or online at: https://www.gofhulions.com/tournament
The game will also be live streamed and is accessible for $10 online at: https://www.gofhulions.com/tournament
For additional information about the 2024 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament, visit: https://www.naia.org/sports/mbkb/2023-24/releases/MBB_QualifierRelease_3_7_24
