The Saints have an experienced team entering this year’s NCAA Tournament after Siena appeared in the Big Dance last year, knocking off No. 4 seed Vanderbilt in the first round. Siena earned a second consecutive trip to the tournament by beating No. 2 Niagara 77-70.
Author: Michael Protos
Summit: North Dakota State Takes the Summit League by Storm
No. 1 North Dakota State will look to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance if it can beat No. 3 Oakland in the championship game Tuesday. The Bison beat No. 5 Southern Utah 79-67 in the semifinals, while Oakland took down No. 7 South Dakota State 74-56.
Sun Belt: Sun Belt Champ Will Be Familiar to NCAA Tourney
Both No. 1 Western Kentucky and No. 6 South Alabama appeared in last year’s NCAA Tournament, with the Hilltoppers reaching the Sweet 16. Western Kentucky reached the Sun Belt championship game by beating No. 4 North Texas 77-70, while No. 6 South Alabama upset No. 2 Arkansas-Little Rock 54-44.
West Coast: Gonzaga Cruises as Mills Struggles
No. 1 Gonzaga won the West Coast Conference championship — again — by annihilating No. 2 St. Mary’s 83-58. With Patty Mills struggling, the Gaels might have hurt their at-large chances, while the Bulldogs made a strong case for a top four seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Elon: Nestor Ousted at Elon
Elon coach Ernie Nestor resigned after the Phoenix finished 11-20 and 7-13 in the Southern Conference this season. Nestor coached Elon for six seasons and finished with a 67-117 record.
High Point: Panthers Ax Bart Lundy
After a disappointing season at High Point, the Panthers fired coach Bart Lundy. In six seasons at High Point, Lundy compiled a 96-87 record.
Ohio State: Center Strains Shoulder Against Northwestern
Ohio State sophomore forward Dallas Lauderdale injured his shoulder while going up for a shot against Northwestern in the Buckeyes’ 52-47 win Sunday
Kent State: Golden Flashes Suspend Second-Leading Scorer
Kent State coach Geno Ford suspended junior guard Chris Singletary for one game after he received a flagrant foul in the team’s win against Akron Sunday
Colonial: Eric Maynor and the Rams Dance Past George Mason
Eric Maynor and No. 1 VCU will return to the NCAA Tournament looking to pull off another first-round upset after beating No. 2 George Mason 71-50 in the CAA championship. The Rams beat Duke in 2007 as a No. 11 seed.
SoCon: Chattanooga Completes Championship Run
The No. 1N Mocs used a 20-0 run spanning halftime to pull out of the reach of No. 3S College of Charleston in an 80-69 win.
