By TODD MOORE
Barton Sports Info
The top ranked Barton Community College men's basketball team received the top seed nod Sunday evening as announced on the NJCAA's Division I Selection Show.
Victors of 23 straight games and now 32-1 on the season, Barton receives a bye to the 2nd Round and will play the Monday 2:30 p.m. contest at the Hutchinson Sports Arena against the winner of 16th seed Daytona State College (28-3) out of Region 8 versus 17th seed Walters State Community College (28-2) out of Region 7. Those two teams will kick-off the 2024 tournament at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.
In the win or go home format, a victory would send the Cougars to Wednesday's 12:00 p.m. contest against the survivor of 8th seeded Northwest Florida State College's portion of the bracket which also includes Region VI member Cowley College who has the lone victory over Barton this season.
The 9th seeded Tigers (27-5) were one of two Region VI members to receive an at-large bid and will play Sunday's 12:15 p.m. contest against 24th seed Allegany College of Maryland for the right to play the 8th seeded Raiders.
Hutchinson (27-6) also received an at-large bid and the 11th seed, opening their tournament in Monday's game before Barton's at 12:15 p.m. against 22nd seeded University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie. If victorious the Blue Dragons advance to take on 6th seed Chipola College on Tuesday.
The Cougars' week off from competition comes following Saturday's 74-57 victory over 16th ranked Hutchinson to capture the program's first Region title since 2001 and fourth overall.
Barton's Game Schedule (All games after Monday pending victory in previous game):
Monday – 2:30 p.m. (2nd Round)
Wednesday – 12:00 p.m. (Quarterfinals)
Thursday – 5:00 p.m. (Semifinals)
Saturday – 1:00 p.m. (Championship)
All 2024 Tournament games are being streamed live via ESPN+, with the Championship game available on ESPNU. *Streaming service and/or subscription required.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION:
Official NJCAA Championship website: https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/mbkb/div1/index
Tickets: https://www.njcaa.org/tickets
- $65 All-Session
- $16 Session
- Children age 3 and under are fee