Christopher Newport Women, Mary Washington Men Ready To Battle In NCAA Basketball Sweet 16
Christopher Newport's women's basketball team is in Walla Walla, Wash., ready to challenge Whitman College while the Mary Washington men's hoop squad enjoys the comforts of home as the Eagles prepare for a re-match vs. Virginia Wesley in Friday's NCAA Division III Basketball Championships Sweet 16 action.
CNU, which finished second in the CAC and advanced to the conference championship match, takes a 24-5 overall record and 20th position in the national rankings into tonight's matchup against seventh-ranked Whitman College (28-1). It is the second game of a DH and scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. eastern. The winner advances to Saturday's Regional Championship Game (Elite 8) against the winner of the first game in Friday's twinbill - undefeated Thomas More (30-0) and Texas Tyler (27-3).
WOMEN'S LINKS: Watch the game NCAA Women's Bracket D3.hoops.com Top 25
CNU Preview Whitman Preview Thomas More Preview Texas Tyler Preview
------------------------------------------------------------------
UMW, which finished second in the CAC regular-season but took home the playoff trophy, owns a 24-5 overall record with a six-game win streak. The 17th-ranked Eagles will face 24-6 Virginia Wesleyan, which advanced to the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament with a 79-74 triumph over CAC regular-season champ Wesley. Friday's second game of the Sweet 16 DH, slated for a 7:30 p.m. start, will be a rematch of the Dec. 17, 2013, "instant classic" between the Eagles and Marlins, when UMW emerged victorious at the Anderson Center 95-87 in double overtime. Friday's UMW vs. VWC victor advances to Saturday's Elite 8 national quarterfinal round game against the winner of Friday's opening contest, featuring #9 Williams (25-4) vs. #13 Albertus Magnus (28-2).
MEN'S LINKS: Watch the game NCAA Men's Bracket D3.hoops.com Top 25
UMW Preview Va. Wesleyan Preview Dec. 17, 2013 UMW 95, VWC 87 (2 OT) Williams Preview Albertus Magnus Preview