Top-seeded Minnesota State advanced to the NCAA Division II national championship men's basketball game and will battle No, 2 Nova Southeastern for the title on Saturday.
Minnesota State advanced with a 79-72 victory over No. 9 West Texas A&M 79-72 in the semifinals on Thursday.
Malik Willingham, who earned D2CCA All-American First Team honors this season, led the Mavericks with 19 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Willingham was also named the NSIC Player of the Year.
Juston Eagins notched 18 points and a game-high eight assists, going 5-of-10 from behind the 3-point line. Dylan Peeters notched his sixth double-double of the season, finishing with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Brady Williams had 14 points and five rebounds off the bench, with 10 of his points coming in the second half.
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For the second consecutive season, Nova Southeastern will play for the Division II national championship.
The Sharks won their 20th consecutive game Thursday, defeating the sixth-seeded California State-San Bernardino 91-77 in the national semifinals.
Shane Hunter scored 24 points with seven rebounds and four blocked shots. MJ Iraldi had 15 points, six assists and five rebounds.
Ryker Cisarik finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and four blocks, while Trey Doomes scored 12 points off the bench for the Sharks, who led Division II in scoring margin, offensive rebounds per game and turnovers forced per game this season.
Here's what you need to know about Saturday's clash between Minnesota State vs. Nova Southeastern.
What channel is Minnesota State vs. Nova Southeastern on today?
- TV channel: CBS
- Live stream: Paramount+
Fans looking to watch Minnesota State vs. Nova Southeastern can find it on CBS or stream it via Paramount+, which is also streaming every NCAA Division I Tournament game on CBS and much more, and is currently offering a free trial.
Minnesota State vs. Nova Southeastern start time
- Date: Saturday, March 30
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
The NCAA Division II men's basketball championship between Minnesota State vs. Nova Southeastern is set to tip off at 3 p.m. ET from the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind.
Minnesota State is 1,448-947 in 2,395 games since the program's inception in the 1920-21 season.
Nova Southeastern is the 20th top-ranked team in NCAA Division II history to reach the national championship game, 12 of 19 have won the national title - including NSU in 2022-23.
Minnesota State vs. Nova Southeastern tickets
- Tickets: StubHub
Tickets to the 2024 NCAA Division II men’s basketball championship are still available on StubHub.
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Most NCAA Division II basketball championships by school
| School | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Wesleyan | 8 | 1966, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1987, 1990, 1999, 2001 |
| Evansville | 5 | 1959, 1960, 1964, 1965, 1971 |
| NW Missouri State | 4 | 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022 |
| Virginia Union | 3 | 1980, 1992, 2005 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 3 | 1993, 1994, 1997 |
| Florida Southern | 2 | 1981, 2015 |
| Central Missouri | 2 | 1984, 2014 |
| Winona State | 2 | 2006, 2008 |
| Metropolitan State | 2 | 2000, 2002 |
| North Alabama | 2 | 1979, 1991 |
| Nova Southeastern | 1 | 2023 |
| Ferris State | 1 | 2018 |
| Augustana | 1 | 2016 |
| Drury | 1 | 2013 |
| Western Washington | 1 | 2012 |
| Bellarmine | 1 | 2011 |
| Cal Poly Pomona | 1 | 2010 |
| Findlay | 1 | 2009 |
| Barton | 1 | 2007 |
| Kennesaw State | 1 | 2004 |
| Northeastern State | 1 | 2003 |
| UC Davis | 1 | 1998 |
| Fort Hays State | 1 | 1996 |
| Southern Indiana | 1 | 1995 |
| North Carolina Central | 1 | 1989 |
| UMass Lowell | 1 | 1988 |
| Sacred Heart | 1 | 1986 |
| Jacksonville State | 1 | 1985 |
| Wright State | 1 | 1983 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 1982 |
| Cheyney | 1 | 1978 |
| Chattanooga | 1 | 1977 |
| Puget Sound | 1 | 1976 |
| Old Dominion | 1 | 1975 |
| Morgan State | 1 | 1974 |
| Roanoke | 1 | 1972 |
| Jefferson | 1 | 1970 |
| Winston-Salem State | 1 | 1967 |
| South Dakota State | 1 | 1963 |
| Mount Saint Mary's | 1 | 1962 |
| Wittenberg | 1 | 1961 |
| South Dakota | 1 | 1958 |
| Wheaton | 1 | 1957 |