Men’s Basketball Receives At-Large Bid For First Time In School History, Advances To National Tournament in Herkimer, NY
The Prince George's Community College men's basketball program will be one of twelve teams across the nation participating in the NJCAA National Tournament for the first time in 15 years after receiving an at-large bid during the 2023 NJCAA DIII Men's Basketball Selection Show. The Owls held a spot in the top 10 of the NJCAA men's basketball rankings for the majority of the season, peaking as high as number 7 entering the postseason but were upset by Butler County who ranked No. 10 at the time during the Region 20 Championship, 99-88.
Wednesday's bracket reveal marked the first time in the college's history that any Prince George's sports program has been awarded an at-large bid. This year also marks the first time Prince George's men's basketball will participate in the National Tournament as a Division III team. The Owls last advanced to the National Tournament during the 2007-08 season when the team was still a Division II member.
The Owls (24-4) received the 8th seed in the tournament which pits them against 9th seeded Mohawk Valley (26-3) out of Region 3. Prince George's will be playing in the very first game of the tournament on Wednesday, March 15th at 1 PM. All games will be played at Herkimer College in Herkimer, NY.
The Hawks had a similar path to Prince George's for this year's tournament as they were also upset in their region championship after finishing the regular season as the number 6th ranked program in the nation, one ahead of the Owls. The Hawks received an at-large bid as well after falling to 14 in the final poll of the year.
The winner of Wednesday's first round matchup will advance to the quarterfinals the following day at 2 PM versus top-seed Sandhills Community College who defeated Butler to claim the Mid-Atlantic District Championship to receive an automatic qualification. The loser will play in a consolation game the following day as well at 10 AM. The full championship bracket can be viewed here.
Each game will be live streamed on the NJCAA Network with package options that include single-game purchases or all-tournament passes. Live stats will also be available for each game.
