INDIANAPOLIS - The Fort Hays State men's basketball team earned an at-large bid into the 2024 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championships, announced Sunday (March 10) by the NCAA office. With a record of 23-7, the Tigers received the No. 6 seed in the Central Region and will take on No. 3 seed Minnesota Duluth in the regional quarterfinals on Saturday (March 16).
Minnesota State is the top seed in the region and will host the regional in Mankato, Minn. March 16, 17 and 19.
This is Fort Hays State's 14th trip to an NCAA Central Regional and first since 2016. It is the eighth appearance in an NCAA regional under head coach Mark Johnson. The Tigers are 10-12 all-time in the tournament, including a 7-8 record in neutral-site contests. This will be the first-ever meeting between the Tigers and Bulldogs (25-6).
The Tigers last played in the NCAA Tournament in the 2016 regional quarterfinals. The Tigers are 3-4 in regional quarterfinal games. Fort Hays State has played in three regional title games, winning one en route to its national title in 1996.
Two other MIAA schools join FHSU in the field of eight, including No. 2 Northwest Missouri State and No. 5 Pittsburg State. The Northern Sun has four teams in the field, and the Great American Conference earned one bid.
The winner of the Central Region will meet up with seven other regional champions at the 2024 NCAA Division II Men's Elite Eight in Evansville, Ind. March 26-30.
More information on the regional, including game times, ticket information and more will be released as it becomes available.
2024 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship Central Region Tournament Quarterfinal Matchups
No. 1 Minnesota State (29-2) vs. No. 8 Arkansas Tech (25-6)
No. 2 Northwest Missouri State (27-4) vs. No. 7 Southwest Minnesota State (19-12)
No. 3 Minnesota Duluth (25-6) vs. No. 6 Fort Hays State (23-7)
No. 4 MSU Moorhead (24-5) vs. No. 5 Pittsburg State (21-10)