It’s Super Saturday in NJCAA Men’s D1 Basketball
IT’S SUPER SATURDAY!!! One week from today, Saturday, March 22, the NJCAA Men’s D1 National Championship will tip-off from the historic Sports Arena in Hutchinson, KS. After starting a day earlier last year….on a Sunday…this year we open with four games on Saturday!!! The Tournament runs March 22-29. The Title game will be at Noon on the 29th, and once again televised on ESPNU. All other games (22 to be exact) will be aired on ESPN+. Five teams have earned automatic berths in the 2025 edition of The Tournament…what we old-timers just call “Hutch!” Monroe University (NY), Columbia State CC (TN), Wallace State CC (AL), Jones College (MS), and John A. Logan College (IL), have all “won” their way to the big dance. There are eleven District Titles up for grabs on this Super Saturday. Here is the docket: WEST (REGIONS 1 & 18): Eastern Arizona College (29-3) at Snow College (31-1) at 8:00 MDT, in the Horne Activity Center, Snow College, Ephraim, UT. I have both teams IN the field of 24, winner or lose. (But, I’m not THE SELECTION COMMITTEE).
SOUTH CENTRAL (REGION 2): #2 Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (24-7) vs #1 Connors State College (27-3) at 2:00 CDT in Rougher Village Arena, Muskogee HS, Muskogee, OK A rematch of last year’s championship game in which Connors won, 73-71. Expect the same high intensity battle. NEO’s last trip to Hutch was in 2019.
MIDWEST (REGIONS 4 & 16): Triton College IL (28-4) at Three Rivers College MO (20-12) at 7:00 CDT in the Libla Family Sports Complex, Three Rivers College, Poplar Bluff, MO. 3Rivers hasn’t been to Hutch since 2012. Triton, a power since jumping to D1 (2018-19) has been 2 of last 3 seasons, both final four appearances. The Libla, not the home court advantage as the old Bess Activity Center…but the gorgeous, state-of-the art arena will be packed, and loud!! Raiders faithful are HUNGRY!!
SOUTHWEST (REGION 5): W1 South Plains College (26-6) vs N1 McLennan CC (27-5) at 1:00 CDT in the Highlands Gym, McLennan College, Waco, TX. The WJCAC Champion vs the NTJCAC Champion. The two top teams in the District for all the marbles. The Texans IN either way, but although I feel McLennan has been overlooked all season, they possibly have to win to get in.
PLAINS (REGION 6): #1 Cowley College (28-4) vs #3 Barton CC (24-7) at 5:00 CDT in Gross Memorial Coliseum, Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS. Big Jayhawk Conference grudge match. Probably the top two as it should be, although Coffeyville is strong contender. I feel both are in. After losing in the semis, the Red Ravens are bubbling a little. SOUTH ATLANTIC (REGION 8): #6 Pensacola State College (22-11) vs #4 Gulf Coast State College (23-9) at 4:30 CDT in Raider Arena, Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, FL. Probably not the Championship match up anybody imagined, but both teams were competitive all year in one of the top 5 regions nationally. They both happen to be Panhandle combatants as well. Only realistic chance either has of getting IN, is to win. Highly ranked Daytona State and Chipola have good arguments for At-large bids.
NORTHWEST PLAINS (REGION 9): S1 Trinidad State College (17-14) vs N1 Gillette College (29-3) winner at 3:00 in James Hladky Arena at the Pronghorn Center, Gillette College, Gillette, WY. Gillette, shut down their program from 2020-21 through 2022-23 before reappearing in 2023-24. Now here they are on the doorstep of returning to Hutch for the first time since 2017. Trinidad State is looking for the four-peat as District Champions. But it won’t be easy, the Pronghorns are 16-0 at the “Jim” (James Hladky Arena) in the Pronghorn Center.
ATLANTIC (REGION 10): #1 Brunswick CC (27-4) vs #7 Cape Fear CC (2-27) at 2:00 EDT in the Tarlton Complex, Catawba Valley CC, Hickory, NC. Brunswick has been the kingpin all season in the District, one win away from a trip to the big dance. Their first since 2021. Cape Fear has had an interesting season, one in which they went winless (0-27) which included 16 forfeit losses. On a two game win streak, the Sea Devils find themselves knocking on the door of an unorthodox and certainly…an unsuspecting national tournament appearance.
NORTH CENTRAL (REGIONS 11 & 13): Indian Hills CC (26-5) at Dawson CC (29-3) at 6:00 MDT in the Toepke Center, Dawson CC, Glendive, MT. It is The Hills turn to make the 14 hour trek in this upstart rivalry. It’s the third such meeting between these two schools since 2021 when IHCC also went to MT. In 2022 the Buccaneers visited Iowa. I’ve never been to Glendive, but wondering if the last couple of hours is by horseback. I really like both teams as NT participants this season, but with only EIGHT At-large options for the selection committee, it could be a tough call.
MID-SOUTH (REGION 14): #1 Trinity Valley CC (30-2) vs #3 Panola College (25-6) at 7:00 CDT in the Sports Arena, Lee College, Baytown, TX. The Cardinals, Ponies, and semifinalist Angelina, are all with strong creds for making the field at Hutch. Unfortunately, Trinity Valley and Panola are the only ones remaining who have the chance to earn it. The loser, and Angelina, will have their fate determined on selection Sunday. TVCC is IN win or lose IMO. Panola for making the finals has higher probability, plus their victory over Angelina in the semis. But the Roadrunners definitely deserve strong consideration. Just depends on how many upsets unfold today.
SOUTHEAST (REGION 17): #7 East Georgia State College (18-14) vs #1 South Georgia State College (26-6) at 4:00 EDT in SGSC Gym, South Georgia State College, Waycross, GA. The Hawks will be looking for their 3rd District Championship in last 5 seasons. EGSC only trip to Hutch was in 2013 (as District Champs). But the Bobcats can change that today, but won’t be an easy task. South won both games vs East this season, by two in Swainsboro, and by 20 in the SGSC gym, the site of today’s game, where the Hawks are 17-3.
Follow all Championships right here, ALL ON ONE PAGE at: http://jucohoopscoop.com under the District Championship header. Updates as close to real time as possible. Also follow all action at Hutch in the same place.
