Tag: #2 Men’s Basketball

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – MJ Iraldi has been announced as the 2024-25 Bevo Francis Award winner by Small College Basketball on Monday evening. Iraldi becomes the second Nova Southeastern Men’s Basketball player to win the Bevo Francis Award, joining RJ Sunahara (2022-23). 

The Clarence “Bevo” Francis Award is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball. Considerations will be season statistics and individual achievements, awards, personal character and team achievements.  This award is presented annually to the top player in Small College Basketball – DII, DII, NAIA, USCAA, and NCCAA 

Iraldi led the Sharks to the program’s second NCAA Division II national championship title and adds another honor to a list of accomplishments from the 2024-25 season. Iraldi was recognized as the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year, D2 CCA South Region and National Player of the Year and the NABC National Player of the Year. Additionally, Iraldi led NCAA Division II and set the program’s single season scoring record, totaling 873 points.  

On the season, Iraldi averaged 23.6 points-per-game, shooting 52.5% from the field and 40.1% from beyond the arc. Iraldi scored at least 30 points in eight games, including tying the mark for second most points scored in a single game (42 vs. Embry-Riddle on February 26). Iradi averaged 24.6 points during the NCAA Division II Elite Eight tournament, scoring 27 points in the national championship game against Cal. State Dominguez Hills.  

To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball.  

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Nova Southeastern Men’s Basketball Head Coach Jim Crutchfield, following leading the Sharks to the program’s second NCAA Division II national championship in three seasons, has been named the National Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) on Tuesday afternoon.  

Crutchfield earns the honor for the second time in his legendary career, after guiding NSU to a 36-1 record, which tied the program record for wins in a single season, defeating Cal. State Dominguez 74-73 in the NCAA Division II national championship game on Saturday, March 29th. NSU finished the season winning its last 23 games, the longest winning streak in the country.  

Crutchfield was also named the Sunshine State Conference and NABC South District Coach of the Year.  

Crutchfield’s Sharks led NCAA Division II in scoring, averaging 101.7 points per game, outscoring opponents by an average of 22.4 points-per-game. NSU forced 18.4 turnovers-per-game, while also leading the country in assist/turnover ratio (2.21), and assists-per-game (23.3).  

Crutchfield coached MJ Iraldi to Sunshine State Conference, D2 CCA and NABC Player of the Year honors, as the senior led NCAA Division II in scoring with 873 points. Dallas Graziani led NCAA Division II in assists (340), assists-per-game (9.2), while being second nationally in steals (93). 

Over the last four seasons, Crutchfield has turned the NSU Men’s Basketball program into a powerhouse and a premier college basketball program. Since the 2021-22 season, NSU is 135-5 (0.964 winning percentage), winning four consecutive Sunshine State Conference regular season and tournament titles, four consecutive NCAA South Region championships, and two NCAA Division II National Championships. Overall, during his Sharks tenure, Crutchfield has accumulated a record of 204-25 (0.890 winning percentage), while coaching two NABC National Players of the Year, two D2 CCA National Players of the Year, and three Sunshine State Conference Players of the Year.  

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EVANSVILLE, IN. – Redemption. One year after falling at the buzzer in the NCAA Division II National Championship game, the second-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball team has reached the top of the NCAA Division II men’s basketball world, as the Sharks won the program’s second national championship, defeating Cal. State Dominguez Hills 74-73 on Saturday evening in the Ford Center. 

MJ Iraldi led NSU in the effort, scoring a team-high 27 points and earned tournament Most Outstanding Player honors. 

Head Coach Jim Crutchfield has guided NSU to the program’s second NCAA Division II National Championship, the 15th national title for the Nova Southeastern Athletics Department. The Sharks tied the program record for wins in a season (36), have the most wins in NCAA Men’s Basketball, and closed the season on a 23-game winning streak.

Records: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 36-1 | No. 14 CSUDH 30-6
Score: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 74 | No. 14 CSUDH 73
Location: Ford Center | Evansville, IN. 
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_MBasketball

First Half – Ryker Cisarik netted the first four points of the game for the Sharks, as NSU was able to take a quick lead over the Toros. A 9-0 run, which featured points from Dallas Graziani and MJ Iraldi, gave the Sharks a 13-5 lead less than five minutes into the game. Midway through the half, CSUDH was able to eliminate the NSU advantage, tying the game at 20-20. The Toros continued to hold on to an advantage for the remainder of the half, sending the Sharks into the break trailing 42-38. 

Despite shooting just 16% from beyond the arc in the first half, the Sharks trailed the Toros by only four points. Tyler Eberhart led all NSU scorers in the opening 20 minutes, totaling 11 points while shooting 5-8 from the field. 

Second Half – Eberhart knocked down a three-pointer, following a steal from Graziani, giving NSU some early momentum in the second half. The Sharks and Toros continued to match each other bucket for bucket, before Cisarik finished an and-one opportunity to tie the game 50-50 with 15:29 left in the game. The Sharks seized a bit of momentum, following the Cisarik and-one, rallying for a 10-2 run and taking a 60-52 lead. CSUDH All-American Jeremy Dent-Smith scored six consecutive points for the Toros, tying the game once again at 62-62. Both All-Americans – MJ Iraldi for NSU – in the title game matched each other down the stretch, but the Toros led 71-68 with less than two minutes remaining. Dent-Smith fouled out, sending Cisarik to the free throw line and the forward knocked down both to bring NSU within one. CSUDH missed a go-ahead three-pointer, as Ryan Davis came down with the defensive rebound, before Graziani hit a pair of clutch free throws to give NSU a 72-71 lead with less than 40 seconds left in the game. The Toros reclaimed the lead moments later, but after drawing a foul, Iraldi knocked down a pair of clutch free throws to give NSU a 74-73 lead. 

With the opposing team possessing the ball in the final moments once again, the Sharks defense clamped down and forced a pair of missed opportunities; the final horn sounded and for the second time in three seasons, and second time in program history, head coach Jim Crutchfield‘s Nova Southeastern Sharks won the NCAA Division II national championship. 

MJ Iraldi: 27 points, 8-16 FG, 10-12 FT, nine rebounds
Tyler Eberhart: 14 points, 6-11 FG, six rebounds
Dallas Graziani: 13 points, nine assists
Ryker Cisarik: nine points

No. 2 Nova Southeastern has finished their season as NCAA Division II National Champions for the second time in program history. NSU Athletics thanks you for your support throughout the season. 

GET YOUR BANNER: To commemorate this historic moment, we are offering an exclusive opportunity to bring a championship banner to your home. Make a donation of $30 or more, support the team, and get your banner. To learn more, click HERE.

 

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EVANSVILLE, IN. – One win shy of the program’s second NCAA Division II national title in the last three seasons, the second-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks will take on No. 14 Cal. State, Dominguez Hills in the final game of the DII season on Saturday afternoon at the Ford Center. Head Coach Jim Crutchfield has turned the NSU Men’s Basketball program into one of the best programs across the country, as Nova Southeastern has accumulated a record of 134-5 over the last four seasons, appearing in each of the last three NCAA Division II title games and winning the 2022-23 national championship.  

On the other side of the court, the Toros of CSUDH have shown resiliency throughout their NCAA tournament run, advancing to the Elite Eight as West Region Champions for the first time in program history.  

No. 2 Nova Southeastern (35-1)
Sunshine State Conference Regular Season & Tournament Champions, NCAA South Region Champions 

Elite Eight: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 102, Assumption 93 
Final Four: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 94, No. 5 Washburn 68 

Riding the longest winning streak (22 games) across all levels of NCAA men’s basketball, the Sharks put together one of, if not the, best performances of the season in the national semifinal on Thursday night against the fifth-ranked Ichabods. NSU trailed just twice in the game and led for over 37 minutes, en route to the largest Elite Eight tournament win in program history. The duo of MJ Iraldi and Ryker Cisarik combined for 53 points in the victory, while Dallas Graziani added his 15th double-double of the season (18 points, 11 assists).  

Cisarik has continued to cement himself as a premier player in the NCAA Tournament, as he is averaging 25 points-per-game, 6.5 rebounds in his last four games, while shooting 62% from the field.  

Iraldi, the NABC and D2 CCA National Player of the Year, is averaging a double-double – 20 points and 10.2 rebounds – in the NCAA Tournament.  

No. 14 Cal. State, Dominguez Hills (30-5)
California Collegiate Athletic Association Regular Season & Tournament Champions, NCAA West Region Champions 
Elite Eight: No. 14 CSUDH 86, No. 6 West Liberty 84 
Final Four: No. 14 CSUDH 94, No. 4 Dallas Baptist 83 

The Toros have proven to be the “cinderella team” in the Elite Eight; however, they’ve been anything but a cinderella story during the 2024-25 season. In Head Coach Steve Becker’s 12th season leading the program, he has guided CSUDH to their best season and becoming the first California team to play for the NCAA Division II title since 2010.  

The Toros are led by NABC All-American Jeremy Dent-Smith, who is averaging 26 points in the Elite Eight tournament. Dent-Smith scored 33 points in the CSUDH national semifinal victory over No. 4 Dallas Baptist, as the Toros were victorious in overtime.  

CSUDH has trailed by double digits in both of their Elite Eight games, rallying from down 17 points in the national quarterfinals against No. 6 West Liberty and 19 points against No. 4 DBU.  

It’s the Sharks. It’s the Toros. It’s the NCAA Division II National Championship. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. EST at the Ford Center. The game will be available on CBS, check your local listings. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball.  

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EVANSVILLE, IN. – In as dominant of a performance as the second-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks have had throughout the 2024-25 season, NSU defeated the No. 5 Washburn Ichabods 94-68 in the NCAA Division II national semifinal and advanced to the national championship for the third consecutive season. Ryker Cisarik led Nova Southeastern with 28 points, going 10-15 from the field, while MJ Iraldi – the NABC and D2 CCA National Player of the Year – added 25 points and nine rebounds. Dallas Graziani tallied his 15th double-double of the season, scoring 18 points and adding 11 assists.  

Nova Southeastern improves to 22-3 in the NCAA Division II National Tournament, all under Head Coach Jim Crutchfield, and has won 17-of-18 games since the 2021-22 tournament. The Sharks now have the most wins (35) in NCAA Division II this season and are one win shy of tying the program record (36/2022-23). 

Records: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 94 | No. 5 Washburn 68 
Score: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 35-1 | No. 5 Washburn 30-4 
Location: Ford Center | Evansville, IN.  
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_MBasketball 

First Half – The Ichabods took a 3-2 lead over the Sharks 1:35 into the game, but a three-pointer by Dallas Graziani gave NSU a 5-3 advantage. Ross Reeves knocked down back-to-back three-point attempts, pushing the Nova Southeastern lead to 15-7. Two consecutive buckets from Ryker Cisarik, followed by a three-pointer from MJ Iraldi gave NSU a 27-12 midway through the first half. Graziani added another three-point bucket for Nova Southeastern as the Sharks continued to pull away from the Ichabods. The Sharks went into the break leading 53-29 over Washburn.  

Second Half – NSU maintained a sizable lead throughout the second half, as Iraldi and Cisarik each added a three-pointer to push the advantage to 68-42 midway through the final half. Later in the half, Cisarik sparked an 8-2 run with another three-pointer and Ryan Davis added a three-pointer of his own, extending the lead to 79-51 with less than eight minutes remaining. NSU closed out the 94-68 win over Washburn, the largest margin of victory for the Sharks in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in program history.  

Ryker Cisarik: 28 points, seven rebounds, 4-6 3PT 
MJ Iraldi: 25 points, nine rebounds, 9-19 FG 
Dallas Graziani: 18 points, 11 assists (15th double-double) 

The Sharks will take on seventh-seeded Cal. State Dominguez Hills, looking for the program’s second NCAA Division II national championship in three seasons. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will be shown on your local CBS channel. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball.  

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EVANSVILLE, IN. – With a spot in the NCAA Division II national championship on the line, the Nova Southeastern Sharks and Washburn Ichabods will match-up on the court for the first-time ever on Thursday night at the Ford Center. The contest will feature two of the four teams to be featured as the top team in NCAA Division II during the 2024-25 season.  

The Sharks are riding the longest winning streak in the country, across all levels of NCAA basketball, having won their last 21 games.  

No. 2 Nova Southeastern (34-1) | Sunshine State Conference Regular Season & Tournament Champions, NCAA South Region Champions 
Last Game: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 102, Assumption 93 

The Sharks’ offense reclaimed their groove in the national quarterfinals, as four players scored over 20 points in the victory, led by 24 points from Tyler Eberhart. It was the first time in this season’s NCAA Tournament that Nova Southeastern surpassed the 100-point threshold. NSU went into the half leading 56-36 over the Greyhounds.  

NABC and D2 CCA National Player of the Year MJ Iraldi scored 22 points in the win, while Dallas Graziani (22) points and Ryker Cisarik (20) both added at least 20 points.  

All five starters for the Sharks average double-digit points – MJ Iraldi (23.5), Ryker Cisarik (18.8), Ross Reeves (13.2), Dallas Graziani (12.7), and Tyler Eberhart (12.4).  

The Elite Eight victory improved Nova Southeastern to 21-3 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, all under Head Coach Jim Crutchfield, and NSU has won 15 of its last 16 tournament games.  

 
No. 5 Washburn (30-3) | Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Regular Season Champions, NCAA Central Region Champions 
Last Game: No. 5 Washburn 90, No. 10 Lenoir-Rhyne 78 

Washburn Head Coach Brett Ballard earned the 200th win of his coaching career in Tuesday night’s national quarterfinal, as the Ichabods defeated tenth-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne.  

Washburn features a well-rounded offensive attack, as four starters average double-digit points-per-game – Jacob Hanna (15.8), Brayden Shorter (15.6), Andrew Orr (14.0), and Jack Bachelor (13.7), while Michael Keegan adds over seven points-per-game.  

Shorter led the Ichabods in their Elite Eight win, scoring 18 points, while six Washburn players scored in double figures with Dillon Claussen adding 17 off the bench.  

It’s the Sharks. It’s the Ichabods. It’s the Final Four. Tonight’s game will be streamed on ESPN+ and will tip-off at 9:30 p.m. EST. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball. Be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball.  

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EVANSVILLE, IN. – The National Association of Basketball Coaches and Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA) announced their respective 2024-25 National Player of the Year awards on Wednesday. MJ Iraldi, a senior guard for the Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball program, was recognized as both the NABC and D2 CCA Ron Lenz Player of the Year.  

Iraldi becomes the second Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball Player to win either award, joining Sekou Sylla (D2 CCA Player of the Year/2021-22) and RJ Sunahara (NABC Player of the Year/2022-23), while being the only NSU player to win both awards in the same season. Iraldi has previously been recognized as Sunshine State Conference and D2 CCA South Region Player of the Year. Additionally, Iraldi was honored as both an NABC All-American and a D2 CCA first-team All-American. The senior is also a candidate for both the Bevo Francis Award and the Trevor Hudgins award, presented annually by Small College Basketball.  

Iraldi paces the NSU offense that leads NCAA Division II in scoring offense (102.7), averaging 23.5 points-per-game. The senior set the Sharks single-season scoring record in the Sunshine State Conference tournament championship game. Iraldi has scored at least 30 points in eight games during the 2024-25 season, including tying the second most points scored (42) in a single game in program history on February 26, against Embry-Riddle.  

In his Sharks career,  Iraldi has totaled 1,244 points, 371 rebounds, 169 assists, 125 steals, while shooting 51% from the field.  

D2 CCA All-AmericaTeams

First-Team
Name	School	Conference
MJ Iraldi	Nova Southeastern	SSC
Antwan Kimmons	Concordia-St. Paul	NSIC
Adrian McIntyre	Westmont	PacWest
Marcus Tomashek	Michigan Tech	GLIAC
Caleb Van de Griend	Minot State	NSIC
Second-Team
Jarrett Adderton	Columbus State	PBC
Hobert Grayson	Ouachita Baptist	GAC
Jordan Hinds	Bluefield State	CIAA
Tommy Murr	Alabama-Huntsville	GSC
Nick Reid	Upper Iowa	GLVC
Third-Team
Tray Alexander	Pace	NE-10
Benjamin Bill	Daeman	ECC
Dallas Graziani	Nova Southeastern	SSC
JoJo Murphy	Chico State	CCAA
Kendall Taylor	Wingate	SAC
Honorable Mentions
Jadin Booth	Florida Southern	SSC
Majok Deng	Colorado School of Mines	RMAC
Jeremy Dent-Smith	Cal. State Dominguez Hills	CCAA
Wes Enis	Lincoln Memorial	SAC
Demitri Gardner	Augusta	PBC

Iraldi and the Sharks continue their pursuit of the second NCAA Division II national championship in program history on Thursday, March 27th. NSU plays fifth-ranked Washburn in the national semifinal at the Ford Center in Evansville, IN. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. EST. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball. 

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EVANSVILLE, IN. – For the third consecutive season, the second-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball team has advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four, as NSU defeated the eighth-seeded Assumption Greyhounds 102-93 in the national quarterfinals on Tuesday evening at the Ford Center. Led by 24 points from Tyler Eberhart, four Sharks scored over 20 points in the victory, including Dallas Graziani and MJ Iraldi both recording 22 points, as well as Ryker Cisarik adding 20. 

The Sharks improve to 21-3 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, all under Head Coach Jim Crutchfield, including winning 15-of-16 dating back to the 2022-23 tournament. 

Records: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 34-1 | Assumption 22-10
Score: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 102 | Assumption 93
Location: Ford Center | Evansville, IN. 
Get Social: Instagram & X – NSU_MBasketball

First Half – After falling behind 4-0 in the early moments of the game, MJ Iraldi and Dallas Graziani combined to score the first ten points for the Sharks as NSU led 10-7 after three minutes of play. Graziani and Eli Allen led a 7-0 run for the Sharks, as Nova Southeastern took a 10-point lead. Tyler Eberhart and Ryker Cisarik both made their presence felt, as each tallied a dunk and pushed the Sharks’ advantage to 35-16 over Assumption. A three-point bucket from Ryan Davis gave Nova Southeastern a 41-21 lead, as the Sharks continued to pull away in the opening half. NSU closed the half leading the Greyhounds 56-36. 

Second Half – Eberhart opened the second half by scoring the first five points for NSU, giving Nova Southeastern its largest lead of the game (25 points), as the Sharks led 61-36. The Greyhounds made a push, cutting their deficit to just eight points, but a lay-up from Eberhart, followed by a second chance bucket from Iraldi, pushed the Sharks’ lead to 77-65 over Assumption. Graziani and Iraldi each knocked down a clutch three-pointer for Nova Southeastern, maintaining a double-digit advantage over the Greyhounds. NSU sealed the Elite Eight victory, the third consecutive national quarterfinal win for the program, defeating Assumption 102-93. 

Tyler Eberhart: 24 points, 10-17 FG, five rebounds
Dallas Graziani: 22 points, eight rebounds, nine assists
MJ Iraldi: 22 points, eight rebounds
Ryker Cisarik: 20 points, 6-11 FG, five rebounds, five assists
Eli Allen: 7 points, 2-2 FG, five rebounds

The Sharks will take on the winner of the No. 5 Washburn and No. 10 Lenoir-Rhyne on Thursday, March 27th, in the national semifinal. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. EST and the game will be available on ESPN+. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball. 

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced the 2024-25 NABC Division II All-America team on Tuesday afternoon, as voted on by NABC-member coaches across NCAA Division II.  

MJ Iraldi, the Sunshine State Conference and D2 CCA South Region Player of the Year, was named to the team following a record-setting season as a member of the Sharks Men’s Basketball team.  

Iraldi leads NCAA Division II in scoring and set the single season scoring record (799) surpassing Will Yoakum’s mark set during the 2022-23 season. Iraldi leads the Sharks in field goals made (302), three-point field goals (67), three-point percentage (0.401/min. 50 attempts), free throws (128), free throw percentage (0.831), points-per-game (23.5), while being second on the team in rebounds (212), assists (101), and steals (70). Iraldi has recorded at least 30 points in eight games on the 2024-25 season and tied the second most points in a single game on February 26, against Embry-Riddle when he scored 42 points. 

Iraldi is a candidate for both the Bevo Francis Award and the Trevor Hudgins Award, presented annually by Small College Basketball.  

In his Sharks career, Iraldi has totaled 1222 points, 363 rebounds, 166 assists, 124 steals, while shooting at a 51/36/83% clip. 

Iraldi is now under consideration for the NABC National Player of the Year, which will be announced on Wednesday, March 26.  

2024-25 NABC Division II All-America Team

Jarrett Adderton, Columbus St.
Tray Alexander, Pace
Benjamin Bill, Daemen
Majok Deng, Colorado School of Mines
Jeremy Dent-Smith, Cal St. Dominguez Hills
Ethan Duncan, Lubbock Christian
Wes Enis, Lincoln Memorial
MJ Iraldi, Nova Southeastern
Antwan Kimmons, Concordia St. Paul
Jojo Murphy, Chico St.
Tommy Murr, Alabama-Huntsville
Nick Reid, Upper Iowa
Kollin Tolbert, Concord
Marcus Tomashek, Michigan Tech
Caleb Van De Griend, Minot St.
Donald Whitehead Jr., Cal (PA)

The Sharks will take on eighth-seeded Assumption in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight on Tuesday evening at the Ford Center in Evansville, IN. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST and the game can be viewed on ESPN+. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball.  

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EVANSVILLE, IN. – Having successfully navigated the “Road to Evansville,” the Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball team finds itself three wins away from the NCAA Division II National Championship. As one of the eight remaining men’s basketball teams across the country, the Sharks – the top-seed in the tournament – begin their pursuit of the trophy against the eighth-seed Assumption Greyhounds on Tuesday night at the Ford Center. 

Under Head Coach Jim Crutchfield, the Sharks are 20-3 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.  

Nova Southeastern (33-1) | Sunshine State Conference Regular Season & Tournament Champions, NCAA South Region Champions 
Last Game: No. 2 Nova Southeastern 76, No. 3 Alabama-Huntsville 69 (NCAA South Region Championship) 

Having played in the last two NCAA Division II national championship games, Head Coach Jim Crutchfield makes his tenth trip to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, having guided the NSU Men’s Basketball team to the tournament in each of the last four seasons. The Sharks enter the Elite Eight riding the nation’s longest winning streak, having won 20 consecutive games.  

Nova Southeastern cruised to the program’s fourth consecutive Sunshine State Conference tournament title, winning each game by an average of 25 points, the Sharks’ offense slowed in the NCAA South Region tournament, as NSU averaged just 77.3 points per game. The Sharks defeated Alabama-Huntsville (33-2) bookending the Chargers season with their only losses of the campaign.  

The Sharks feature three members of the recently announced NABC All-South District team, as MJ Iraldi, Ryker Cisarik, and Dallas Graziani form one of the best trios in all of college basketball. Iraldi, the SSC and D2 CCA South Region Player of the Year, is the nation’s leading scorer (799 points). Cisarik, making the fourth trip to the Elite Eight in his career, continued his superb play in the South Region tournament averaging 26 points, seven rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steals.  

The Sharks lead NCAA Division II in points-per-game (102.8), scoring margin (+23), assists-per-game (23.9), and assist/turnover ratio (2.27), while ranking inside the top-10 nationally in turnover margin (2nd/+8.5), steals-per-game (3rd/11.9), field goal percentage (4th/0.516), rebounds-per-game (6th/42.5), rebound margin (9th/+7.5), turnovers forced per-game (9th/18.97) and fastbreak points-per-game 19.35).   

Assumption (22-9) | NCAA East Region Champions 
Last Game: Assumption 97, St. Thomas Aquinas 90

The Greyhounds advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time in 50 seasons having won the NCAA Tournament as the sixth-seed, defeating Southern New Hampshire, Dominican and St. Thomas Aquinas.  

Assumption features three All-Northeast-10 Conference honorees, as Daouda Dembele (second-team/all-defensive team), Njavan Stewart (third-team), and Lenny Tangishaka (All-Rookie Team), all of whom played a part in the Greyhounds winning the program’s most games in 16 seasons.  

The Greyhounds were the highest scoring team in the NE-10, averaging 80.4 points per game and their bench unit ranked 8th nationally in points per game (36.93).  

It’s the Sharks. It’s the Greyhounds. It’s the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. Tonight’s game will be available on ESPN+, click here to watch. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram & X at NSU_MBasketball.  

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