Record-Tying Five CAC Basketball Teams Selected to NCAA Tournament for Second Straight Year
Men's NCAA Bracket | Women's NCAA Bracket
For the second straight year and third time in conference history, a CAC record-tying five teams have been chosen to compete in the 2017 NCAA Division III Basketball Tournaments beginning this weekend.
On the women's side, a conference record-tying three teams earned bids for the second year in a row. Christopher Newport, Mary Washington, and Marymount will each represent the CAC in the NCAA postseason for the second straight year. CNU secured its first-ever conference title and the CAC's automatic bid, while UMW and Marymount both earned at-large spots into the field of 64.
On the men's side, Christopher Newport notched its second-straight automatic bid into NCAA's following its second-straight dramatic title-game win over Salisbury. The Sea Gulls grabbed an at-large spot in the field of 64 for the second straight season.
This marks just the third time that a total of five CAC men's and women's teams will compete in NCAA's, with other instances occuring in 2015-16 and 1995-96. It marks the fourth time that a trio of CAC women's teams reached the NCAA postseason, with it also happening in 2015-16, 2008-09, and 1995-96.
. The Captains (25-2) will take on Staten Island (22-6) in the first round, while the other matchup will feature Catholic (23-4) and Lynchburg (22-6). It is the fourth time in five seasons under head coach Bill Broderick that the Captains will be appearing in the NCAA Tournament, and the 18th in program history. The Captains last hosted NCAA Tournament games during the 2013 postseason, also hosting the first and second rounds.
Mary Washington (23-4), ranked 19th, will travel to Amherst, Mass. to take on Sage (20-8) in Friday's first round. Host Amherst (27-0) will take on Regis (Mass.) (17-10) in the other opening round matchup. The Eagles will compete in the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time under head coach Deena Applebury and the 11th time overall.
Marymount (22-5) travels to Greensboro, N.C. for a first-round date with host Guilford (24-3), the Old Dominion Athletic Conference champion. Albright (22-5) will take on Piedmont (21-7) in the other contest. This marks the Saints' second straight NCAA appearance, third under head coach Ashlee Rogers, and 18th time overall. The Saints are receiving votes in the latest WBCA national poll.
in Friday's first round at 6 p.m. Also traveling to host Swarthmore (22-5) will be Staten Island (21-6). They will meet at 8:00 p.m. Friday night, and the winners will advance to play at 7:00 p.m.on Saturday. CNU in its 50th season of men's basketball, will be advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the 21st time and the fourth time in the seven-year tenure of head coach John Krikorian. The Captains advanced to the Final Four last season for the first time ever.
Salisbury (20-7), ranked 20th, will face off against Endicott (20-8) in a neutral site first round matchup at Neumann. Host Neumann (25-2) will meet Nichols (23-5) in the other first-round contest. The Sea Gulls earned one of 21 at-large bids and will be making the program's eighth overall and third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. It marks the first time in program history that the Sea Gulls have appeared in three straight postseason tournaments.