Blue Bloods, New Bloods, No Newbies At Hutch

March 14, 2023 (Middle America) – The 2023 Men’s DI National Basketball Tournament is less than a week away from tip-off. The event is still unique in modern day championships because it brings all of it’s entries to one venue in one city for one week. The NAIA championships still do the same way each year at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, MO, although the format has changed a little in recent years.

In the week, March 20-25, in the city of Hutchinson, KS, Twenty-four teams battle over 6 days in which the lone survivor is crowned National Champion. Of the 24 teams, 16 are automatic qualifiers via District Championships, and eight more are gifted At-Large berths from their season’s overall quality of work. NJCAA by-laws restrict any District from having more than 3 teams participating.

It takes 23 games in the single elimination format to determine the winner. The top 8 seeds get first round byes, and therefore only have to win 4 games for the title. The others must win 5. It’s a grueling week at the end of a grinding 4 1/2 month regular season. However, win or lose, not a single team has ever complained that it wasn’t worth it.

Considered part of the NJCAA’s version of Blue Bloods, three of the top four winningest programs in Junior College Basketball history are a part of this years participants.

Southeastern CC (W. Burlington, IA), Vincennes University (Vincennes, IN), and Moberly Area CC (Moberly, MO) rank 2 through 4, in that order. The only member of the foursome absent is the one with the most total victories, and that’s the host school, Hutchinson CC.

The 2023 edition of the NJCAA National Tournament, aka “The Tournament,” starts Monday, March 20 at 10:00 AM in it’s home since 1952…the Sports Arena. #16 seed Monroe College (NY) and #17 seed South Georgia State College will square off on Sam Butterfield Court to kick off the 75th (Diamond) Anniversary celebration of The Tournament in Hutchinson.

This marks the 76th year of the tournament overall, which began in 1948 in Springfield, MO. Technically, though, since the 2020 event was canceled due to covid, this is the actual 75th running of the event.

Twenty-four teams representing sixteen regions will take part in the 2023 tournament. Five regions do not have reps as they lost in inter-region playoff games in determining some of the District Championships.

Eighteen states are represented from the pool of qualifiers with Texas having four teams, Florida three, Iowa & Kansas each with two. Idaho, Utah, Oklahoma, New York, Missouri, Tennessee, Colorado, North Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Illinois, and Indiana all with one.

In recent years, I started doing a break down of the collection of mascots/nicknames of tournament teams. IT was fun, so I’ll keep doint it. This year there will be three Eagles in the field, Tallahassee, Meridian and CSI, although CSI’s Eagles are the only “Golden” ones.

Overall there are seven members of what I label, the “avian” group. Besides the 3 Eagles, we also have two Hawks, South Georgia State (common) and Southeastern CC (IA), Blackhawks (specific). Then we have the Cardinals (Trinity Valley) and the Chaparrals (Midland). For those who don’t know, a Chaparral, or Chap, is a prairie bird similar to a Roadrunner. You’re welcome!

Just like last year we have two Raiders, Northwest Florida & Roane State (TN), both repeats from last year. We also have two teams called Trojans, Trinidad State (CO) and Seminole State (OK). We have the Indians (Chipola) and Conquistadors (Dodge City), both returners from last year. Then there’s the Warriors (Indian Hills). I refer to this category as “the fight club.” It also has seven members.

The “animals” group has five members with the Bruins (Salt Lake), and the Grizzlies (Butler CC), both of which are just nifty names for Bears. Then there are the Mustangs (Monroe) and the Greyhounds (Moberly), two of the fastest creatures around a track. And finally, the Sea Devils (Cape Fear CC).

The final group is a catch-all, but surprisingly fitting to be called “settlers,” “prairie dwellers,” or “commoners.” Here we have the Volunteers (John A. Logan), the Wranglers (Odessa), Trailblazers (Vincennes), the Parsons (Snead State AL), and the Rangers (Ranger). Yep that’s right…the Ranger Rangers!! Now, one might ask…what’s a Parson? And that’s fair. Unless you are one, you might not know. A Parson is a member of the clergy who has charge of a parish. Like a rector. In the beginning, Snead State was a seminary school dating back to 1898. Make sense now?

Here are some interesting tidbits about the 2023 field:

Vincennes University is back after a one year absence, which ended their record setting 9 consecutive appearance streak. The Blazers lead all Juco programs in trips to the big dance. This will be their 37th time, including 10 of the last 11 years. VU is an At-Large participant.

Moberly Area CC (MO) comes in as the only team with 30 wins (30-3). Another of the elder statesmen, they will be attending for the 31st time, making it in 4 of last 5 seasons, and 6 of the last 9. The Greyhounds and Vincennes are #1 and #2 in most victories by teams at the National Tournament. MACC qualified as Region 16/Midwest District Champs. Winners of 20 straight.

College of Southern Idaho hasn’t been around as long as those two, but they have an impressive resume none-the-less. The Golden Eagles will be playing in their 28th National Tournament and 3rd in a row. CSI received an At-Large invitation. They went 29-0 before losing in the semifinals of the Region 18 tourney, and were ranked #1 for the last 6 weeks of the regular season.

Indian Hills CC (Ottumwa, IA), with a history shorter than many of the other top programs, but they will be participating in their 18th championship. “The Hills” is the only team to record back-to-back-to-back National Championships. They won titles in 1997, 98, and 99. IHCC also had a 7 consecutive appearance streak end in 2021, but this will be their 2nd trip in a row and 9th in 10 years. The Warriors are an At-Large entry.

Another one of the old guard will be ending a 12 year drought at Hutch, and that’s Southeastern CC (W. Burlington, IA). The Blackhawks last showed their faces in 2011, but 2023 will mark the 19th time they lay rubber on Sam Butterfield Court. The Hawks advanced to Hutch as Region 11/North Central District Champs.

W. Burlington (SCC) and Ottumwa (Indian Hills) are about an hour apart on Hwy 34, and the two teams produce one of the best rivalries in all of Juco ball called, “The War on 34!” The two teams put Region 11 on the map for good at the turn of the millennium. After Hills 3-peat, Southeastern won it all in 2000, 2003 and 04 to give Iowa 6 national titles over an 8 year span. The Hawks have won six in succession.

Chipola College is, not only one of three Florida teams in this years bracket, but also one of three teams from the same Conference. They join Northwest Florida State and Tallahassee from the Panhandle Conference. Plus, they all shared the Championship. The Indians are making the journey to Hutch for the 18th time overall and 3rd in succession. They were semifinalist in each of the last two years. Chipola is an At-Large entry.

Northwest Florida is the defending National Champion. They won it as a ten seed. This year they are seeded 7th. Then first year HC Greg Heiar bolted for an NCAA DI program. The last Northwest coach to win a natty was Steven DeMeo in 2015. DeMeo left after the 2019 season, and after a 3 year tour as a DI assistant, DeMeo has returned to Niceville for his second stint as HC for the Raiders. Six game win streak for NWF.

The Raiders are making back to back appearances, with this being their 13th showing at Hutch overall. Ten of those coming in the last 14 years. With a third title earned as Okaloosa-Walton CC in 95, Northwest will be one of four teams playing to tie three other teams with four national titles. The two active programs with 4 titles, Moberly and Vincennes will complete with a chance to be the first to win five.

The Raiders were this year’s pre-season #1 ranked team. After a couple of early season hits, Northwest regrouped and found their way to the tournament by winning the rigorous Region 8/South Atlantic District Tournament.

With their 11th appearance at the Sports Arena upcoming, the Midland Chaparrals are set to play in Hutch for the first time sine 2011. Midland has national championships, one in 1982, the other in 2007. The Chaps earned their way in as the Region 5/Southwest District Champions. Wins in five straight.

There are three other teams who are participating in the NT for the 11th time, one is Salt Lake CC. The Bruins from Taylorsville, UT, were #1 seed last year, but lost in the finals to NW Florida. SLCC has 2 championships, 2009 & 2016, and will be making their fourth straight trip to Hutch. Salt Lake was Region 18/West District Champ. Coming in on a 3 game winning streak.

Dodge City (KS) is also returning to the Salt City (Hutch) for the 11th time overall, and is making back to back appearances for the first time since 1964 & 1965. The Conquistadors, or Conqs, won it all in 1964. DCCC received an At-Large bid.

Odessa College (TX) has made the 24-team event for the 3rd year in a row and this will be their 11th trip to the Big Dance. The Wranglers have become a familiar face and household name for tournament goers, having made the field in 7 of the past eight seasons. OC is an At-Large entry.

With their 10th trip to the tournament upcoming, Trinity Valley CC (TX) is also making it a habit of traveling to the Sports Arena in March with 7 stops in 10 years. The Cardinals were Region 14/Mid-South District Champions. With a record of 14-18, the Cards bring the worst record to the tourney. However, the team was forced to forfeit 8 games for administrative oversight. Therefore, their actual on court record is 22-10. Also on a six game win streak.

Monroe College (NY) qualified to participate at Hutch for a 9th time by winning the Region 15/East District Championship. The Mustangs last qualified in 2020, the only year in the history of The Tournament it went dark (covid). So the last time Monroe actually played in the Sports Arena was 2017. All of Monroe’s appearances have been since since 2003. Carrying a four game victory string.

Butler CC (KS) comes into the tourney as Region 6/Plains District Champions and this will be the 7th time they get to participate. The Grizzlies last trip was in 2015. Butler made back to back appearances in the Championship game in 1992 and 1993, but failed to convert. Has won four games in a row.

Cape Fear CC (NC) has six previous trips to Hutch in their program’s short history. So this will be #7, and all of them have come since 2009. An up and comer, Cape Fear has played in 5 of the last 10 tournaments. The Sea Devils made the field as Region 10/Atlantic District Champions. Also winners of 4 straight.

An At-Large pick from Region 5/Southwest District, Ranger College has been seen in Hutchinson a lot in recent years. Having made it in 2016, 2019 thru 2021 and now, this makes five out of the last 8 tournaments. It is Rangers 6th time to make the journey to Reno County Kansas.

John A. Logan College (IL) is the tournament’s #1 seed. The Volunteers are participants for the fourth consecutive year, all as Region 24/Central District Champions. This trip is the team’s 6th appearance overall. All but one have occurred since 2015. That other trip came in 1995. Vols have longest current win streak of 27.

Snead State CC (AL) makes their 5th stop-over in Hutch, but has a scattered history playing in the tournament. In no decade have the Parsons been a participant more than one time. Snead’s first visit was in 1958 and most recent was in 2018. They won the Region 22/South District Title to gain entry into the field. They have won 7 consecutive games.

The Region 2/South District Champion is Seminole State College (OK). This will be the Trojans 5th appearance. Seminole’s last time in the tournament was in 2007, and three of their trips have been in the last 16 years. SSC made a run to the Finals in 1983, but came up short. Currently on a six game win streak.

Another team qualifying for the tournament for their 5th time is Tallahassee CC (FL). The Eagles made the field in the 2020 covid year, so the last time they’ve actually played on the Arena floor was in 2011. “Tally” received one of the 8 At-Large bids.

Trinidad State CC (CO) have now qualified in back to back season as the Region 9/Northwest Plains District Champ. This will be the Trojans 4th trip to play in the National Tournament. Another one of the “hot” teams entering the tourney, Trinidad started the year 4-7 and since has reeled off 19 in a row, the 3rd longest in the field.

The first time South Georgia State College played in Hutch was 2011 under Waycross College. The basketball program was two years old and were nicknamed the “Swamp Foxes.” Current HC Cory Baldwin is the only coach the team has ever had. After a name and mascot change, SGSC will be making their 3rd appearance at Hutch in this, the program’s 14th year of existence. The Hawks won the Region 17/Southeast District Championship to qualify. Another team with six wins in a row.

In the 2022 National Tournament, Roane State CC (TN) made their first appearance ever in the Sports Arena. So this makes it 2 in a row for the Trojans, both times as Region 7/Appalachian District Champs. Roane lost their inaugural game on the Sports Arena floor, so they are looking for their first win at the national tournament. On a three game win streak.

Meridian CC (MS) is also making their 2nd appearance at Hutch. It’s been a little longer between visits than Roane St, however. The only other time the Eagles participated was in 1999. Legendary NJCAA Basketball Coaches Association HOF (2013) Coach Dennis Helms was the helmsman, and the team’s record was 23-10. MCC qualified as the Region 23/Gulf District Champions. Have strung four wins in succession.

More fun facts:

Moberly and Vincennes both have four National Championships (tied with now defunct San Jacinto-Central – Pasadena, TX).

Northwest Florida State, Southeastern CC (IA), Indian Hills CC (IA) and College of Southern Idaho (all four in this years field), as well as Independence CC (KS), South Plains College (TX), and Hutchinson (none of whom are participating), all have three National Championships to their credit.

Two participants have 2 NJCAA Championships, Midland College (TX) and Salt Lake CC.

Dodge City has one.

Several of the entries have acquired runner-up trophies. CSI (4), Midland & Moberly (3), Salt Lake, Chipola, Ranger, Northwest Florida, and Butler have 2. Indian Hills, Southeastern CC, Tallahassee, Seminole State, and Vincennes each with one.

There are two active NJCAA BCA HOFers who will lead their teams in this tournament. Moberly’s Patrick Smith (2019) and Vincennes University’s Todd Franklin (2018).

Since The Tournament changed formats to single elimination in 2013, the entire field as been seeded. During those 9 tournaments, only twice has the #1 team even made it to the finals.

However, not a single #1 seed has won the title.

Here are seeds of those teams making it to the finals and the winner, starting with the 2013 tourney: 9 beat 3, 11 beat 1, 2 beat 8, 7 beat 13, 4 beat 6, 10 beat 13, 8 beat 3, 10 beat 8, and 10 beat 1.

The 10 seed has been in the title game in three of the last four tournaments and won it all three times.

The Championship Game on Saturday, March 25 will be played earlier than ever before. Scheduled for 2:00 EDT.

For the first time, the Championship Game will be broadcast on one of the main channels in the ESPN group, ESPNU. The only other time a national network carried the game was in 2019 when is was on the CBS Sports Network.

All games except the championship game will be streamed on the NJCAA Network.