New District Assignments for 2021

by · Published · Updated

Due to Covid-19, or other concerns, some programs have dropped out of Division 1 competition, or temporarily suspended operations of their men’s basketball programs. As a result, the NJCAA announced it has adjusted the District assignments for the 2021 season. Whether this will become permanent is yet to be determined, although the NJCAA is committed to keeping these assignments if things stay the same. However, if any major participation changes occur in the future, further adjustments may be necessary.

For 2021, the East District (Regions 15, 19, 20) has been eliminated. Region 15 (lower NY) has only two teams, neither of which are participating in DI this season). Regions 19 (Eastern PA, DE, and NJ-1 team), and Region 20 (MD, W. PA, and WV panhandle-4 teams) have been moved to the Atlantic District, which used to include only Region 10 (SC, NC, VA and So. WV-8 teams). That District remains as the Atlantic District and will have 12 teams competing in its Championship.

District 1 (Regions 1 (AZ) and 18 (W. CO, NV, UT, and ID) has been divided into two separate Districts, each now with its own Champion and auto qualifier to the National Tournament. Region 1 is now the West District, with Region 18 becoming the Rocky Mountain District.

There are a total of 200 teams participating in NJCAA Men’s DI Basketball for 2021. The start of the season was delayed until January 23 because of Covid, and teams were limited to 22 regular season games instead of the normal 30.

Each District Champion receives an automatic bid to the 24 team NJCAA National Tournament, along with 8 national At-Large selections. This years event is scheduled for April 19-24 at the Sports Arena in Hutchinson, KS, the host city for the Championship since 1949.

“The Tournament,” as referred to by many, is normally held the third week in March. However, this year’s event was postponed last summer in hopes Covid issues might be less of a factor. Last year’s Championship was initially postponed a month before being cancelled entirely, three days before the opening session. That cancellation was the only time in the history of the tournament since its beginning in 1948, which was held in Springfield, MO.

Here is the District breakdown for 2021:

  • Appalachian – Region 7 (NC, SC, VA, and So. WV) 10 teams
  • Atlantic – Regions 10 (NC, SC, VA, and So. WV), 19 (E. PA, DE, and NJ), and 20 (MD, W. PA, and No. WV) 12 teams
  • Central – Region 24 (So. IL) 11 teams including Vincennes Univ., the only DI member of Region 12 (IN, OH, and lower MI), and competes in the Central District Championship.
  • Gulf – Region 23 (MS & LA) 19 teams
  • Midwest – Regions 4 (No. IL & NE Neb) and 16 (MO) 14 teams
  • Mid-South – Region 14 (W. TX and NM) 14 teams
  • North Central – Regions 11 (IA) and 13 (MN, ND, SD, Upper MI, E. MT, and No. WI) 10 teams
  • Northwest Plains – Region 9 (NE, W. CO, WY, and W. MT) 13 teams
  • Plains – Region 6 (KS) 15 teams
  • South – Region 22 (AL) 16 teams
  • South Central – Region 2 (OK) 10 teams
  • South Atlantic – Region 8 (FL) 18 teams
  • Southeast – Region 17 (GA) 9 teams
  • Southwest – Region 5 (E. TX) 17 teams
  • West – Region 1 (AZ) 6 teams
  • Rocky Mountain- Region 18 (NV, ID, UT, and W. CO) 6 teams

Follow all of the 2021 District playoffs here on jucohoopscoop.com under the District Championship header.

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