INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. --- Four-time defending ODAC champion Randolph-Macon College begins the defense of its 2022 national title with a familiar face in the field as announced by the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship Committee on Monday afternoon. Hampden-Sydney College enters the field as an at-large pick and joins R-MC in hosting early round play in the 2023 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship.
Randolph-Macon (27-1) is making its 19th overall appearance in the Division III postseason tournament, the most of any program in ODAC history. Hampden-Sydney (21-6) is in the field for the first time since 2013, increasing its overall involvement to 15 appearances.
The field of 64 teams includes 44 squads that earned Pool "A" bids as automatic qualifiers from their respective conferences. Randolph-Macon falls into this category. Zero programs received Pool "B" berths as true independent programs or those competing in leagues without automatic qualification. Pool "C" -- at-large choices among all remaining teams eligible for selection -- account for the remaining 20 teams in the bracket. Hampden-Sydney earned its spot through Pool "C."
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Randolph-Macon was the first team announced on the NCAA's selection show as the host of a four-team pod in the upper-left quadrant of the bracket. The Yellow Jackets open with Wilson College (19-8), champion of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC). The other first round matchup in Ashland features the University of Scranton (20-7) and North Carolina Wesleyan University (23-4). The Royals won the Landmark Conference crown, while the Battling Bishops captured the USA South championship.
Hampden-Sydney opens its campus to three squads playing out of the bottom-right quadrant of the bracket. The Tigers meet Emory University (17-8) in the the first round. The Eagles were an at-large choice out of the UAA. The other first round matchup features Christopher Newport University (24-3) and Farmingdale State College (21-7). The Captains won the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) title, while the Rams claimed the Skyline Conference trophy.
First and second round play is set for Friday and Saturday, March 3-4. Sectional action follows at four locations on Friday and Saturday, March 10-11. The national semifinals and championship will be competed Fort Wayne, Ind., at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
Game times and ticket information will be announced later this week. For more information, visit the websites of any of the participating schools. You can also go to the home of the ODAC on the Internet at www.odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.