Men’s hoops readies for Columbus State rematch to start NCAA tournament

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Augusta University men’s basketball team drew the fifth seed in the NCAA Tournament Southeast Region and will battle fourth-seeded Columbus State in the first round this Saturday, March 11 for an 8:00 p.m. tipoff in The Levine Center.

Queens University of Charlotte is the host of this year’s southeast regional March 11-14 and will welcome the top-eight teams for the beginning of the NCAA Tourney in Charlotte, N.C.

It is the 11th all-time selection for the Jaguars in the Big Dance (’78, ’01, ’02, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11,’14, ’15 and ’17) and the eighth in the last 11 years for head coach Dip Metress. Augusta is making the postseason for the 13th time overall after reaching the NAIA tournament in 1970 and 1971.

“302 Division II teams start out the year trying to put themselves in a position to make the NCAA tournament and we are excited about being one of the 64 teams selected,” Metress said. “To be a part of the tournament eight times in the last 11 years is a great feeling and we will be led by our lone senior Keshun Sherrill.”

Metress is 16-7 (.696) with the Jags in the NCAA Tournament.

This season, AU is averaging 80.4 points per game – led by PBC Player of the Year and first-team All-Conference selection Keshun Sherrill. Sherrill is ranked third nationally for the most career points amongst active DII players and sits third in free throws made and fourth in attempts. He is 20 points away from becoming the PBC’s all-time leading scorer.

The Jags have fallen to Columbus State twice on the season. The first was an 86-80 regular-season loss on Dec. 19 at CSU and the most recent was a 62-57 loss in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinal game March 4.

Augusta men’s hoops will be staying at the Courtyard by Marriott South Park in Charlotte, N.C.

NCAA Southeast Regional – Game Schedule

Saturday, March 11

12 p.m. Game No. 1. (No. 6 Limestone vs No. 3 UNC Pembroke)
2:30 p.m. Game No. 2. (No. 7 Pfeiffer vs No. 2 Lincoln Memorial)
5:30 p.m. Game No. 3. (No. 8 Wingate vs. No. 1 Queens)
8 p.m. Game No. 4. (No. 5 Augusta vs. No. 4 Columbus St.)

Sunday, March 12

5 p.m. Game No. 5. (Winner Game No. 1 vs. Winner Game No. 2)
7:30 p.m. Game No. 6. (Winner Game No. 3 vs. Winner Game No. 4)

Tuesday, March 14

7 p.m. Game No. 7. (Winner Game No. 5 vs. Winner Game No. 6)

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