Tuesday, March 21
(8) Macomb (25-7) vs. (9) Chesapeake (29-4)
10:00 AM ET / 9 AM CT | Mary Miller Center | Danville, IL
NJCAA Division II National Championship | Opening Round - Round of 16
Live Stream ($10 Per Day | $30 Full Tournament) | Live Stats
Tournament Bracket | Tournament Central
BY THE NUMBERS: 8
Let's Dance! After winning the second region title in program history, Macomb Men's Basketball received the No.
8 seed in the 16-team NJCAA Division II National Championship, as announced on the association's Selection Show Tuesday (March 14). The Monarchs will take on No. 9 seed Chesapeake (29-4) March 21 at 10 AM ET / 9 AM CT.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3
The Monarchs won the NJCAA Region XII Great Lakes District C Championship behind strong team play on both ends of the floor. The team effort led to
three (3) Monarchs being named to the Great Lakes District C All-Tournament Team:
Kareem Aburashed,
Tamario Adley and
Aidan Rubio, who was also tabbed the tournament's MVP!
PLENTY OF FIRSTS
The 8-seed Monarchs will take on the 9-seed Chesapeake Skipjacks in the first game of the tournament Tuesday at 10 AM ET. Tuesday's tilt marks the first meeting between the programs. This is the first trip to Danville for the Skipjacks and the first trip for the Monarchs under second-year head coach
Hassan Nizam (second overall in program history -- first trip was in 2016-17 under the direction of longtime head coach Jim Twigg).
A LOOK AT THE SKIPJACKS
The ninth-seeded Skipjacks enter the tournament 29-4 overall and are riding an impressive 14-game winning streak. By the time tip-off rolls around, the Skipjacks will not have lost for exactly two months (last losing on Jan. 21). The Skipjacks have outscored opponents by nearly 23 points per game after averaging 87.4 and giving up 64.7 per contest. DJ Earl leads five in double figures at 15.9 points per game.
LEADING THE WAY
Three Monarchs average double figures scoring with
Tamario Adley leading the way at 11.6 points per game (PPG).
Aidan Rubio follows at 11.3 PPG and
Tymias Williams checks in at 10.3 PPG.
Jaylen Daughtery grabs a team-best 6.4 rebounds per game, while Williams follows closely at 6.3 per contest.
Linden Holder dishes out four assists per game.
WATCH LIVE
Follow the Monarchs at the NJCAA Division II National Championship by watching the games live on the
NJCAA Network! Please note, the cost to watch is $10 for a day pass or $30 for a tournament pass. The Monarchs are guaranteed to play at least two games.
A LOOK AT THE QUADRANT
We know by now the Monarchs and Skipjacks meet in the 8/9 matchup. The other half of the quadrant is made up of the top overall seed and only undefeated team in the country, Davidson-Davie, and 16 seed Florida Gateway. The winner will meet the winner of the 8/9 game while the two losing teams will meet in a consolation game.
A HISTORIC TWO YEARS
In less than two years on the job, second-year head coach
Hassan Nizam has engineered one of the best 21-month stretches in program history. Last season, Nizam led Macomb to the program's first MCCAA Championship and the first conference title since 1992-93 and, this season, the Monarchs won the second Region XII title in program history. Nizam and the Monarchs will look to add to the historic run next week.
IMPRESSIVE DEFENSIVE METRICS
The Monarchs won the program's second region title and earned their second trip to the national tournament thanks to strong team defense throughout the season. Entering the tournament, the Monarchs have the top scoring defense in the country, allowing only 60.7 points per game, and also own the top field goal percentage defense (36.1%).
PLAYING THE NEXT DAY
Regardless of Tuesday's outcome, the Monarchs will have a quick turnaround and will be playing on Wednesday. With a win, the Monarchs will play in the "Elite 8" Wednesday at 7 PM ET. A loss sends the Monarchs to the consolation bracket with a tip time of 4 PM ET Wednesday. (
Bracket) Please note: this is a single elimination tournament. Teams are guaranteed at least two games due to the consolation bracket.
