Philly Represented: Three Local Teams Make NCAA division II Basketball Tournament
Philadelphia-area basketball fans have plenty to cheer about as three local universities – Holy Family University, Thomas Jefferson University, and west Chester University – have earned berths into the NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments.
Holy Family Lands Automatic Bid, Jefferson Earns at-Large Berth in Women’s Tournament
Holy Family University’s women’s basketball team secured an automatic bid to the tournament after triumphing in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) championship. The Tigers, boasting a 24-6 record, are seeded No. 3 in the East region and are set to face No. 6 seed assumption College in the first round. This marks Holy Family’s first NCAA tournament appearance since 2016.
Despite falling to Holy Family in the CACC title game, Thomas Jefferson University’s women’s team received an at-large bid to the tournament. The Rams,seeded No. 7 in the East Region, will compete against No. 2 seed Daemen University in the opening round.
Thomas Jefferson Head Coach tom Shirley emphasized the importance of experience, noting the team’s consecutive Sweet 16 appearances in recent years, setting a high standard for the program.
Both Holy Family and Jefferson will play their first-round games in Waltham, Massachusetts. Holy Family is scheduled to play at noon,followed by Jefferson at 2:30 p.m.
West Chester University Men’s Team Returns to NCAA Tournament
On the men’s side, West Chester University earned an at-large bid with an impressive 23-6 record to the tournament.The Golden Rams, seeded No. 6 in the Atlantic Region, are making their first tournament appearance since 2019.Thay will face No.3 seed Virginia state in the first round on Saturday.
West Chester Head Coach Damien Blair expressed his excitement for the prospect and the chance for his players to experience the NCAA tournament habitat.
West Chester’s first-round game will be held in West Liberty, West Virginia, with tip-off scheduled for noon on Saturday.
What are the specific records for both the Holy Family and Thomas Jefferson women’s basketball teams?
Philly Represented: Three Local Teams Make NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament: Q&A
Philadelphia-area basketball fans have plenty to cheer about as three local universities – Holy Family University, thomas Jefferson University, and West Chester University – have earned berths into the NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments. Here’s a swift Q&A to get you up to speed:
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Which Philly teams made the tournament?
- A: Holy Family University (women’s), Thomas Jefferson University (women’s), and West Chester University (men’s).
- Q: How did holy Family qualify?
- A: They won the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) championship, earning an automatic bid.
- Q: What about Thomas Jefferson?
- A: They received an at-large bid,despite losing to Holy Family in the CACC title game.
- Q: Where will Holy Family and Jefferson play their first-round games?
- A: Both women’s teams will play in Waltham, Massachusetts.Holy Family at noon, Jefferson at 2:30 p.m.
- Q: When was the last time Holy Family was in the tournament?
- A: 2016. It’s been a while!
- Q: What about West Chester University?
- A: West Chester University earned an at-large bid with an impressive 23-6 record.
- Q: Who is West Chester playing in the first round?
- A: They will face No. 3 seed Virginia State.
- Q: Where is West Chester playing?
- A: West Liberty, West Virginia, with tip-off scheduled for noon on Saturday.
- Q: What’s Coach Shirley’s take on Jefferson’s chances?
- A: he emphasized the importance of experiance, citing the team’s recent Sweet 16 runs and the high standards they’ve set.
- Q: What is Coach Blair’s attitude about West Chester’s chance?
- A: he expressed his excitement for his team, and for his players to experience the NCAA tournament habitat.
- Q: When was the last time West Chester made the tournament?
- A: 2019.
Root for your local teams! Follow their tournament journeys and cheer them on as they represent Philadelphia on the national stage.
