Ettrick, Va (Mar. 11, 2025)- The Virginia State University Men's Basketball team earned the number three seed in the NCAA tournament after winning the CIAA Tournament. They will play West Chester University who is the sixth seed.
The Trojans will enter the game with a 21-8 overall record. VSU averages just under 77 points per game while shooting 46.3 % from the floor. The Trojans strength is in defense and rebounding. Opponents score 70 points per game and get out rebounded by 6.5 (37-30.5). A place where the Trojans sometimes struggle is with turnovers averaging 15.6 per game and only causing 13.4 per game. Jacob Cooper runs the offense and averages just under 15 points per game and six assists per game. Cooper was named to the All-CIAA Backcourt and was the CIAA Tournament MVP. Clint Wright Jr. Is the only other Trojan to average double figures at 11.8 points per game while doing most of his damage from behind the three-point line leading the team with 63 total.
West Chester earned an at large bid as the sixth seed out of the PSAC conference. The Golden Rams enter with a 23-6 record. Four Rams averaged more than 10 points per game and three were PSAC All-Conference performers. West Chester also has the PSAC West Coach of the Year manning the sidelines. Both teams outscore their opponent by around six points and out rebounds their opponents, but the difference is that West Chester lets their opponents shoot 42 % from the floor where the Trojans allow 40 % of opponent's shots to go in. The Golden Rams also struggle with turnovers averaging 14 a game but force 16 a game. WCU allows their opponents to get to the line about 25 times a game which is the strength of Cooper who shot 189 total foul shots so far this season.
The host of the Atlantic Region is a familiar name to fans, West Liberty. While falling in the MEC Championship game the Hilltoppers are always near the top of the rankings in Division 2 basketball. WLU has a 27-4 record and will look to avenge an early second round exit by Gannon from last season. Gannon earned the two seed and was the opening day opponent for VSU this season. Fellow CIAA schools Fayetteville State and Bluefield State also made the dance as the fourth and eighth seeds respectfully. Rounding out the field is East Stroudsburg as the seventh seed.
Ticket Information:https://hilltoppersports.com/sports/2024/4/16/2024-ncaa-atlantic-east-mens-golf-regional.aspx
Bracket: https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/basketball-men/d2/2025
Tournament Home Page:https://hilltoppersports.com/sports/2024/4/16/2024-ncaa-atlantic-east-mens-golf-regional.aspx
