MEN’S BASKETBALL GOES DANCING

The Lynn University men’s basketball team received a bid to go to the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time since the 2014-15 season. As announced on the NCAA Division II Selection Show last night, the Fighting Knights enter the tournament as a number three seed.

The Blue and White are coming off of a historic season finishing with a 23-6 record throughout the season, including a 17-1 record at the deHoernle Sports and Cultural Center. Lynn finished in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) semifinals on Saturday night with a 74-65 loss to Florida Southern, the number two seed in the region. 

“Being in the tournament is an incredible honor for the program and for these guys who deserve it and have worked so hard,” said Jeff Price, head coach. “Overall, once you’re in the tournament, anyone has the chance to win it all.”

Lynn is set to play sixth-seeded Alabama Huntsville on Saturday, March 16, in Fort Lauderdale at Nova Southeastern University. The Sharks were named the number one seed in the region and host of the preliminary round. The times of the opening round games are to-be-announced.

This will be the sixth time in program history that the squad is going to the big dance. The team has made it to the Final Four in two of their appearances (1997, 2005). As a member of the NAIA, the team made it to the tournament three times. 

The last time Lynn made the tournament (2015), they were named the sixth seed in the region and lost in the South Region Tournament finals to the then top-seeded Florida Southern. 

“Every team will be fighting for their lives. It’s win or go home,” said Michael Baez, senior guard. “I’m glad we get the opportunity to play somebody new.”

The first three rounds of the tournament will be hosted by the eight number-one seeds across the nation. The Elite 8 will begin on March 27 followed by the Final Four, all taking place in Evansville, Ind. 

If both Florida Southern and Lynn win their games on Saturday, the Fighting Knights will face the Moccasins for the fourth time this season on Sunday. 

“If we get them again, we will be ready,” said Coach Price in a press conference following the loss in the SSC tournament. 

Lynn has not played Alabama-Huntsville yet this season, but they are 3-0 against the Chargers all time. In their 2015 tournament appearance, Lynn faced the Chargers in the opening round and won 80-62. 

The Chargers finished the season with a 24-7 record. They lost in the Gulf South Conference title game to Delta State, the four seed in the region. 

To follow Lynn’s postseason run, head to LynnFightingKnights.com. To view the full Division II bracket, go to www.ncaa.com/sports/basketball-men/d2. 

David Czarlinsky

David Czarlinsky is in his second year in the 3.0 program, pursuing a degree in communication and emerging media. Originally from Charlotte, N.C., Czarlinsky has gotten very involved on campus, serving as a resident assistant and president of his fraternity.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.