The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced Thursday that Langston University has been selected as one of 16 sites to host the 2023 NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship First & Second Rounds, presented by Ballogy.
This is the first time Langston University has been chosen as a host site for the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship First & Second Rounds, capping off what has been a historic season for the Lions.
“It is an incredible honor for Langston University to be picked out of all the NAIA schools that play intercollegiate basketball,” Head Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Wright said. “For us to be one of 16 sites picked to host is a tremendous honor for our university and our program. Our student athletes deserve a lot of credit for what they have done on the court to put us in this position.”
Langston University’s historic Men’s Basketball season began when the Lions, after winning only one game in the last two seasons, began the season with a 16-game win streak. The Lions ended the regular season with a 26-2 record, 20-2 in conference play, clinching the Regular Season Sooner Athletic Conference Championship for the first time in program history, becoming the first HBCU to win the conference.
This success has brought the Men’s Basketball team to national prominence, becoming the biggest program turnaround in collegiate basketball history.
“It is so exciting to be a part of this historic basketball journey,” Langston University Director of Athletics Donnita Rogers said. “I need Lion Nation to show up to these opening round games in large numbers to ensure that we are the first stop for the national tournament for years to come!”
The homefield advantage this gives Langston University in the NAIA Men’s National Tournament cannot be understated.
“We are undefeated here at home this year,” Wright said. “Someone is going to have to play really well to beat us in C.F. Gayles Field House. To have that type of advantage in March is big.”
Each first and second round site will feature four teams and will play single elimination on Tuesday & Wednesday, March 7-8. The winner of the final game will go to the NAIA National Championship Final Site in Kansas City, Mo.
The field of 64 teams for the 2023 NAIA Men’s and Women’s National Tournament will be announced at 7:00 p.m. March 2, 2023, during the selection show on the NAIA’s Official YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PlayNAIA
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