2017 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship: Day 1
With the peak of NCAA Division I basketball just around the corner, basketball in the NAIA has reached that point. While many NCAA Division I schools are fighting to win their conference title, NAIA teams are fighting for a national championship.
The 2017 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship tipped off today in Point Lookout, Missouri. The field of 32 teams has already been cut down to 24 with just one day in the books. 8 teams were sent home after a tough loss to end their season.
If you remember from the past, I was a strong believer in the Crossroad League conference, even going as far as to say "the most dominant conference in the country." 2 Crossroads League teams battled it out in the National Championship game last year where Indiana Wesleyan defeated Saint Francis 69-66. I was not let down by my bold statement throughout the season. 4 Crossroads League teams made the field of 32 for the Division II Men's Basketball National Championship. 2 teams, Indiana Wesleyan and Bethel College, sit as the #1 seed in their respective brackets. The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) comes in as the #4 seed in the Liston Bracket. Taylor University sits as the #7 seed in the Naismith Bracket. Taylor pulled off the biggest upset of the day by shocking the #2 seed Warner University 73-67. Saint Francis also moved on to the round of 16 after defeating Oregon Tech 100-92. Indiana Wesleyan plays Thursday at 12:00 PM vs Corban. Bethel plays Thursday night at 7:30 PM against fellow Indiana school Calumet College of St. Joseph
In the Naismith Bracket, #1 overall seed Union College defeated Aquinas College 95-83. In the final game of the day, 5 seed College of Idaho defeated the 4 seed Dakota Wesleyan 98-93. Union College will battles College of Idaho in the final game on Friday night at 9:15 PM. #3 Trinity International defeated host-school College of the Ozarks 72-55. Trinity International will take on Taylor University on Friday at 7:30 PM.
In the Liston Bracket, #1 seed Cornerstone University knocked off the 8-seed Pacific Union 89-83. The University of Saint Francis defeated Oregon Tech to move onto the round of 16. Saint Francis and Cornerstone square off on Friday morning at 8:30 AM. Northwest Christian handed Midland their final loss of the season 91-78. IU East looks to go deep in the tournament again after falling to Saint Francis in the semifinal game. IU East moved on to the round of 16 with a 84-74 victory over Reinhardt. IU East and Northwest Christian will tip off around 10:15 on Friday morning with a trip to the quarterfinals on the line.
-Jon Opiela, @jonopiela24
