Selection Sunday was a mixed bag for the winners of the two HBCU Division I men’s basketball tournaments.
Surprise SWAC winner Alabama State will face Northeast Conference champion Saint Francis (PA) in the First Four in Dayton, Ohio while MEAC champion Norfolk State draws a potential Final Four team in West Region No. 1 seed Florida.
Alabama State earned its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2011 by defeating fourth-seeded Texas Southern, defending conference champion Grambling, and No. 2 seed Jackson State in the SWAC tournament.
We’re going dancing
#SWARMAS1 pic.twitter.com/MnHYYDuZTl
— Bama State Athletics (@BamaStateSports) March 16, 2025
The Hornets (19-15) will face Saint Francis, making their first tournament appearance since 1991 and only the second in program history. The Red Flash won the NEC by knocking off Wagner-Long Island, and top-seeded Central Connecticut in their conference tournament.
The winner of that game, to be played either Tuesday or Wednesday, will face South Region No. 1 seed Auburn in Lexington, Kentucky either Thursday or Friday.
Norfolk State (24-10) won their third MEAC title in five seasons by defeating Maryland-Eastern Shore, Morgan State and South Carolina State in the conference tournament.
STAGE IS SET
We’re headed to Raleigh to face No. 1 seed Florida on Friday#GoldStandard
pic.twitter.com/paKA4rNFKv
— Norfolk State Men’s Basketball (@NSU_BBALL) March 16, 2025
This is the Spartans’ fourth Division I NCAA tournament appearance. They’ll face the Gators in Raleigh, North Carolina either Thursday or Friday.
