Six top-25 teams in Midwest Regional
NCAA II Tournament Game Notes
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The sixth-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team wants to continue its magical post-season run when it travels to the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional in Louisville, Kentucky. The regional, which is being hosted at Bellarmine University, is scheduled for March 10-13.
USI, the second seed, opens Midwest Regional action against Kentucky Wesleyan College, the seventh seed. The Eagles (24-6) and the Panthers (21-7) tip-off their third meeting of the season at 1:30 p.m. (CST) Saturday after splitting the regular season series. Both teams won on their respective home courts.
The winner of the USI-KWC matchup plays the winner of sixth-seeded University of Indianapolis (19-8) and third-seeded Hillsdale College (24-5) Sunday at 4 p.m. (CDT) for the right to go to the championship game Tuesday at 6 p.m. (CDT).
The first game on the other side of the regional bracket features top-seeded Bellarmine (25-3) against eighth-seeded Lewis University (17-11) Saturday at 5p.m. (CST). Fourth-seeded Northern Kentucky University and fifth-seeded University of Findlay (23-6) round out the games on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (CST). The winner of these two games plays in Sunday's second semifinal game at 7:30 p.m. (CDT).
The 2012 Midwest Regional also features six top-25 teams, nearly double the number of ranked teams in last year tournament. Bellarmine is ranked fourth to lead the field, followed by USI (sixth), NKU (11
th), KWC (18
th), Hillsdale (20
th), and Findlay (25
th). UIndy fell out of the rankings this week, only receiving votes after its loss to USI in the GLVC Tournament.
The Screaming Eagles are flying high after winning their third GLVC Tournament in the history of the program and the first since 2007. USI took the GLVC tournament title after winning four games in eight days, including three games against top 25 programs.
After defeating Maryville University, 68-51, at the Physical Activities Center March 26, USI proceeded to defeat 20
th-ranked UIndy, 78-60; number one ranked Bellarmine, 71-68; and 10
th-ranked NKU, 60-56. Senior forward
Isaac McClure (Paducah, Kentucky), who scored 20 points in the championship game and averaged 17.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in the four tournament games, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Senior gaurd
Brandon Hogg (Edwardsville, Illinois) also was named to the All-Tournament team after posting a team-high 19.3 points per outing during USI's title run. Hogg also leads USI and ranks eighth in the GLVC with 16.2 points per contest this season.
Game coverage for the contest, including live stats and audio broadcasts, is available at gousieagles.com. The games also can be heard on ESPN 106.7FM and WPSR 90.7FM.
For more information on ticket availability, call the USI Ticket Office at 812/465-7165 or the Bellarmine University Ticket Office at 502/272-8380. Single session ticket prices are $10 for general admission and $5 for students.
NABC/Division II Men's Basketball Poll (Tuesday, March 6, 2012 -- Final Poll)
1. Colorado School of Mines
2. Alabama-Huntsville
3. West Liberty (W.Va.)
4. Bellarmine (Ky.)
5. Midwestern State (Texas)
6. Southern Indiana
7. Shaw (N.C.)
8. Christian Brothers (Tenn.)
9. Tarleton State (Texas)
10. Indiana (Pa.)
11. Northern Kentucky
12. Western Washington
13. Metropolitan State (Colo.)
14. Anderson (S.C.)
15. Arkansas Tech
16. Alaska-Anchorage
17. Charleston (W.Va.)
18. Kentucky Wesleyan
19. Washburn (Kan.)
20. Hillsdale (Mich.)
21. Northwest Missouri State
22. Montevallo (Ala.)
23. Missouri Southern
24. Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.)
25. Findlay (Ohio)
Others receiving votes: West Georgia, Indianapolis (Ind.), District of Columbia, Franklin Pierce (N.H.), King (Tenn.), LIU-C.W. Post (N.Y.), Bloomfield (N.J.) Seattle Pacific (Wash.), South Carolina Aiken, Stonehill (Mass.), Missouri-St. Louis, Florida Tech.
