ICYMI: Mountain East Conference Schedule Updates (NCAA Division II)

MEC ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE UPDATES - Mountain East Conference: BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. -- The Mountain East Conference Board of Directors unanimously approved plans to conduct athletics competition in winter sports beginning no sooner than Jan. 7, 2021. The board also approved schedules for conference fall sports competing in the spring semester.

Your guide to a tepid tip-off

Your guide to a tepid tip-off: While the pandemic will keep the majority of Division III basketball teams on the sideline, a few will begin their 2020-21 season this weekend. Here's the latest on what kind of season we might have and how we'll cover it.

Smaller brackets planned for winter, spring

Smaller brackets planned for winter, spring: If Division III championships for the 2020-21 winter and spring sports can be held, they will be smaller, the NCAA Division III Championships Committee has announced.

USA South Postpones Basketball Competition

USA South Postpones Basketball Competition: USA South Postpones Basketball Competition

SSAC Makes Decision On Fall Sports

SSAC Makes Decision On Fall Sports: MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Southern States Athletic Conference announced that the men's and women's soccer and volleyball championships and regular season conference games will be postponed to spring 2021, with the men's and women's cross country championships remaining in the fall. Institutions maintain autonomy to practice and compete in non-conference contests in the fall.

Great Lakes Valley Conference - GLVC Announces Decision Regarding 2020-21 Athletics Competition

Great Lakes Valley Conference - GLVC Announces Decision Regarding 2020-21 Athletics Competition: The GLVC Council of Presidents has voted to postpone the majority of the 2020 fall intercollegiate athletics season until the second semester, due to ongoing concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was made based on guidance from the league’s athletics directors and an extensive review of the recommended testing and safety measures developed by the NCAA Sport Science Institute.

OAC Announces Spring 2021 Schedules For Fall Sports

OAC Announces Spring 2021 Schedules For Fall Sports: OAC Announces Spring 2021 Schedules For Fall Sports

#theGAC TO SUSPEND ALL SPORTS COMPETITION THROUGH DECEMBER 31 - Great American Conference

#theGAC TO SUSPEND ALL SPORTS COMPETITION THROUGH DECEMBER 31 - Great American Conference: Tweet #theGAC  RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Following a Friday evening meeting of the Great American Conference’s Council of Presidents, the league will suspend all fall and winter sports – basketball, cross country, football, soccer and volleyball – and the two-semester sports of golf and tennis through December 31.

Sunshine State Conference - Sunshine State Conference Announces Decision Regarding Fall 2020 Competitions

Sunshine State Conference - Sunshine State Conference Announces Decision Regarding Fall 2020 Competitions: SSC teams will not compete during the fall 2020 sport season.

South Atlantic Conference Postpones Fall Sports Competition, Will Look to Compete in Spring 2021

South Atlantic Conference Postpones Fall Sports Competition, Will Look to Compete in Spring 2021: South Atlantic Conference Postpones Fall Sports Competition, Will Look to Compete in Spring 2021

MEC Statement Regarding 2020-21 Season (August 6, 2020) - Mountain East Conference

MEC Statement Regarding 2020-21 Season (August 6, 2020) - Mountain East Conference: With the recent announcement from the NCAA that includes the cancellation of Division II fall championships as well as several new prescriptive and prohibitive guidelines, the conference is currently working within its governance structure to determine how it will adjust its plans for conducting fall sports.

With fall championships canceled, what's next?

With fall championships canceled, what's next?: Losing the fall championships for 2020 is yet another domino toppling. What might happen to schools, conferences and student-athletes as a result, and what might spring schedules look like?

USA South Postpones Fall Sports Competition

USA South Postpones Fall Sports Competition

SSAC Postpones Soccer And Volleyball Until Spring 2021

SSAC Postpones Soccer And Volleyball Until Spring 2021

OAC Postpones the Fall Sports Season

OAC Postpones the Fall Sports Season: OAC Postpones the Fall Sports Season

PAC announces athletic scheduling changes for fall 2020 semester - Presidents' Athletic Conference

PAC announces athletic scheduling changes for fall 2020 semester - Presidents' Athletic Conference: NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. (pacathletics.org)--The Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Presidents’ Council has voted unanimously on the following decisions related to athletic competition in the fall 2020 semester:


To postpone fall 2020 athletic competitions in the NCAA-defined “high-contact” and “medium contact” sports of football, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s cross country until the spring 2021 semester, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.



The NCAA-defined “low contact” fall 2020 sports of women’s tennis and men’s and women’s golf will tentatively be permitted to compete this fall with conference competition only, as previously announced, barring additional NCAA or state guidelines/restrictions. The conference will also explore logistical options for holding fall athletic competitions in other “low contact” sports such as men’s and women’s outdoor track and field and men’s tennis, which have typically held their traditional seasons in the spring in past years.
 
Tentative modified spring varsity game/competition schedules in football, soccer, volleyball and cross country will be developed by the PAC Scheduling Working Group and released in the near future.
 
In addition, the PAC Presidents’ Council also agreed to not hold any winter sport varsity competitions prior to January 1, 2021.

2020 State of Small College Basketball Address

COVID-19 Status Update

Editor's Note: Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a limited amount of posts on the Outside The Box Sports Network until further notice. For the latest information, please visit the Outside The Box Sports Network at otbsportsnetwork.blogspot.com. Also, follow the Outside The Box Sports Network on Twitter @otbsportsnet. Thank you for visiting and reading the Outside The Box Sports Network blog. 

2020 NCAA Division II Tournament Bracket Quick Analysis-Women

Editor's Note: With the NCAA Division II basketball tournament just around the corner, here's a quick analysis of each of the eight regional brackets, starting with the women.

NOTE: Click here for the women's printable bracket.

Atlantic: Indiana (Pa.)-(28-3 overall in 2019-2020) is the #1 seed here, with the Crimson Hawks being one of two host teams in this regional. #2 seeded Gannon (25-6) will host the other four-team pod, as IUP is hosting both a men's and women's sub-regional. Quirks aside, however, this is a very solid field here, with two CIAA squads in #4 Bowie State (25-5) and #5 Virginia Union (23-4) both squaring off in the first round. Another contest to watch is #3 Glenville State and #6 Notre Dame (Ohio) in a battle of 26-5 teams.

Central: Central Missouri (27-4) comes in as the top seed here, as the Mules draw last season's national runner-up in #8 seed Southwestern Oklahoma State ( for the first round. There are three other games of interest in this region, though, with #4 seed Emporia State (24-7) doing battle with #5 Southeastern Oklahoma State (22-7), as well as #2 seed Minnesota-Duluth facing #7 Fort Hays State (23-7) and #3 Sioux Falls squaring off vs. #6 St. Cloud State in another 26-6 vs. 23-7 showdown.

East: Adelphi (27-3) leads the way in this region, as the Panthers will play the host role. The headliner match-up here is #2 Stonehill vs. #7 Daemen in a battle of 23-5 teams.

Midwest: Speaking of headliners, this region has not only has two unbeaten but also the two top-ranked teams in #1 Drury (32-0) and #2 Ashland (31-0). It's too bad that only one of these teams will advance to the Elite Eight, and continue their quest for a national championship, should both teams advance past the first two rounds. But, first things first, as #3 seed Walsh (28-2) and #4 seed Grand Valley State (28-3) could disrupt everything before all is said and done.

South: Host Lee (26-4) leads a very solid field, as the Flames are one of six teams that have won at least 23 or more games so far this season, with two 19-11 teams in #7 seed Florida Southern and #8 seed Alabama-Huntsville thrown in just for good measure. Don't count out the likes of Union (Tenn.), Tampa, Delta State, Eckerd, and Benedict either.

Southeast: Lander has the #1 seed here at 26-5, with another 26-5 team in North Georgia coming into the NCAA tournament as the #2 seed. Anderson (S.C.), Tusculum, Belmont Abbey, Carson-Newman, Tusculum, and Limestone round out what could be an unpredictable bracket.  

South Central: Lubbock Christian (28-3) is the team to beat not only as the host but also the defending national champions. Don't be surprised if #2 seed Texas A&M-Commerce (28-3) squares off against the Lady Chaps for the right to the Elite Eight in Birmingham, Ala. later this month (March 24-27).

West: With just one loss on the season so far, #1 seed Hawai'i Pacific (29-1 overall) is the favorite to represent this region in the national tournament. However, #2 seed Alaska-Anchorage (31-2) also has a chance to at least advance to the Sweet 16 here.

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2020 NCAA Division II Tournament Brackets

Here are the interactive brackets for the 2020 NCAA Division II men's and women's basketball tournaments listed below. Click on either link to find out which teams made the field of 64 on both sides, as well as who's playing whom, when, and where.

Women

Men

The printable brackets are listed below:

Women

Men

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NCAA Division II Men's Basketball: Henderson State wins the Great American Conference Tournament Championship

(Courtesy of the Great American Conference)



HENDERSON STATE CLAIMS #theGAC MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE - Great American Conference: HENDERSON STATE CLAIMS #theGAC MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE



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NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament: Pomona-Pitzer stuns Emory at the buzzer

Game of the Night: Pomona-Pitzer at the buzzer: Pomona-Pitzer made the long trip from Los Angeles to Atlanta this weekend, and survived to play another round as the Sagehens' Jack Boyle buried it at the buzzer.

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Limestone-Barton to Battle in Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Championship Final on Sunday

Limestone-Barton to Battle in Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Championship Final on Sunday: Limestone-Barton to Battle in Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Championship Final on Sunday



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NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament: Second Round Recap

(Courtesy of d3hoops.com)

Second round: Finish strong, move on: Baldwin Wallace hit two late 3-pointers to defeat Chicago, Christopher Newport held off Endicott and Smith finished on a 10-0 run to advance to the sectional round of the 2020 Tournament. Elsewhere No. 1 Hope saved its season and the NESCAC went 4-0.

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Top Four Seeds Advance to Semifinals of 2020 Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Championship

Top Four Seeds Advance to Semifinals of 2020 Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Championship: Top Four Seeds Advance to Semifinals of 2020 Conference Carolinas Women’s Basketball Championship

NCAA Division II Women's Basketball: Adelphi falls in NE-10 Semifinals

(Courtesy of d2easthoops.org)



Women's Game Recaps #67 - 3/5/20 - D2 Hoop Experts



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NCAA Division II: Peach Belt Conference Men's Basketball Tournament Recaps

The Peach Belt Conference men's basketball tournament produced two upsets that will likely shake-up things going into "Championship Weekend" in Greenwood, S.C. Click the link below for brief recaps on each of the four quarterfinal games. 

(Courtesy of the Peach Belt Conference)

PBC Men’s Basketball Quarterfinal Recaps

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ICYMI: 2020 NCAA Division III Tournament Selections and Brackets

For those people missed out on this year's NCAA Division III tournament selections and brackets, please click on one of the links below to find out who's playing where.

Women's Interactive Bracket

Men's Interactive Bracket

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Women's Game Recaps#63 - 2/29/20 - D2 Hoop Experts

Women's Game Recaps#63 - 2/29/20 - D2 Hoop Experts



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Fayetteville State Defeats Bowie State 61-53 to Win CIAA Women's Basketball Championship - Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

Fayetteville State Defeats Bowie State 61-53 to Win CIAA Women's Basketball Championship - Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association: Fayetteville State turned up its defense to down nationally-ranked Bowie State 61-53 to claim the CIAA women’s basketball championship at the Spectrum Center on Saturday.



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The March Madness Marathon on the Outside The Box Sports Network

March is here, and so is the Madness, right here on the Outside The Box Sports Network!!!

Throughout the remainder of this month, there will be wall-to-wall coverage of postseason small college basketball action, whether it's NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, and much more, from the conference tournaments to the national championship games. There's also coverage of key small college baseball and softball games just for good measure.

So, please remember to bookmark the Outside The Box Sports Network at otbsportsnetwork.blogspot.com, and on Twitter @otbsportsnet. In the meantime, enjoy the Madness!!!

NCAA Division II Basketball Regional Rankings Release: Quick Reaction-Women

Editor's Note: This is the third of multiple posts regarding the release of the NCAA Division II basketball regional rankings, for both the men's and women's teams, from now on until conference tournament week for most conferences. So, what are we waiting for? Let's get started.

Click here for this week's rankings, courtesy of NCAA.com.

NOTE: Records listed are against NCAA Division II opponents only, including the in-region record. All records listed are limited to games played through February 23, 2020.

Atlantic: Not much change here, as Indiana (Pa.)-(23-2) remains in the No. 1 spot. As mentioned in the last post, the No. 1 seed still looks like it's IUP's to lose as it is. However, Glenville State, Virginia Union, Notre Dame (Ohio), and Bowie State, are still very much in the conversation going into the final weekend of the regular season.

Central: The top four seeds in this region remain the same, with Central Missouri, Minnesota-Duluth, Sioux Falls, and Emporia State staying in the top four spots, although UMD and USF have traded places as far as the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds. The Bulldogs moved up to No. 2, while the Cougars fell to No. 3 in this week's rankings.

East: Adelphi (25-2) is still No. 1 after winning back-to-back games last week. The Panthers enter the Northeast 10 Conference tournament early next week as the No. 1 seed in the Southwest Division. Don't be surprised if they're still at the top here by the time next week's poll is released.

Midwest: Drury and Ashland both carry undefeated 27-0 overall records into this weekend's action. Although both squads appear to be on a collision course to meet in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division II tournament, don't count out the likes of Grand Valley State (24-2), Walsh (23-2), and Kentucky Wesleyan (21-1) going down the stretch.

South Central: Despite suffering their first loss of the 2019-2020 season in a tough 58-55 upset loss to West Texas A&M (24-5) last Saturday, Texas A&M-Commerce (25-1) remains to beat here. No. 2 and defending national champion Lubbock Christian (22-3) and No. 4 Colorado Mesa (21-4) are also in the mix.

South: Lee (22-2) is still No. 1 in this region despite having their 13-game winning streak snapped with a 71-56 upset loss at fellow Gulf South Conference foe Union (Tenn.) on February 20. Tampa moved up into the No. 2 spot with convincing wins over Barry last week, although Florida Southern managed to pull off the upset over the Spartans on Wednesday night. 

Southeast: Hardly any change from last week's poll, as Lander, North Georgia, and Belmont Abbey hold steady in the top three spots. Don't be surprised if any one of these three teams finds themselves hosting this regional come the weekend of March 15. 

West: Going into the final weekend of the regular season, the road to the Elite Eight could very well go through either the nation's 49th state in No. 2 Alaska-Anchorage (25-2) or the 50th state in No. 1 Hawaii-Pacific (25-1). 

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NCAA Division II Basketball Regional Rankings Release: Quick Reaction-Men

Editor's Note: This is the second of multiple posts regarding the release of the NCAA Division II basketball regional rankings, for both the men's and women's teams, from now on until conference tournament week for most conferences. This time, we'll take a look at the men's perspective following this weekend's games.

Click here for this week's rankings, courtesy of NCAA.com.

NOTE: Records listed are against NCAA Division II opponents only, including the in-region record. All records listed are limited to games played through February 16, 2020.

Atlantic: Just like on the women's side, Indiana (Pa.)-(20-2) is the team to beat on the men's side. Every other team that's ranked has lost at least four games overall, including the likes of No.2 Shippensburg, No. 3 West Liberty, and No. 4 Fairmont State going into last weekend's games.

Central: There's no doubt as to whom the top team in this region is right now. That's other than defending national champion Northwest Missouri State. The Bearcats lone loss so far came at Central Missouri on December 7, 2019, but haven't lost since. In other words, Northwest Missouri State is the team to beat until someone else proves otherwise.

East: The University of Bridgeport Purple Knights have been the surprise team of this region, rising to the top in the first regional rankings. However, an upset loss to Molloy on the road on Saturday could open the door for either No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas or No. 3 Thomas Jefferson move up to No. 1 in the next round of rankings.

Midwest: This is currently the region that has the most parity, as the top four teams: No. 1 UIndy, No. 2 Truman State, No. 3 Bellarmine, and No. 4 Ferris State have combined for 23 losses overall. As far as conference races are concerned, the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) is the one to watch, with the top eight teams standings winning at least 11 games in league play as this post is being posted.

South: Florida Southern is the obvious team to beat, with the Mocs winning 12 straight games dating back to January 8 at post time. While both No. 2 Nova Southeastern and No. 3 Lee both lost at least one game this past week, No. 4 Valdosta State continues to stay hot, as the Blazers have won 15 in a row dating back to December 17, 2019.

South Central: With just one loss against NCAA Division II opponents so far this season, West Texas A&M is tops in this part of the world. With No. 2 St. Edwards falling to Dallas Baptist on Thursday night, the Buffaloes can strengthen their hold on the No. 1 spot even further later this week.

Southeast: The favorite here is a no-brainer: Lincoln Memorial. The Railsplitters' only setback came to this aforementioned West Texas A&M in the season opener on November 1, 2019. LMU hasn't lost since then, winners of 27 straight games, with Catawba being the most recent victim this past Saturday. 

West: Like many of the No. 1 teams in the first round of regional rankings, UC San Diego has lost just once all season long, to Chico State on December 5. The Tritons have reeled off 18 straight wins since that night. Don't be surprised if UCSD finds itself hosting this regional come mid-March. 

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NCAA Division II Basketball Regional Rankings Release: Quick Reaction-Women

Editor's Note: This is the first of multiple posts regarding the release of the NCAA Division II basketball regional rankings, for both the men's and women's teams, from now on until conference tournament week for most conferences. So, what are we waiting for? Let's get started.

Click here for this week's rankings, courtesy of NCAA.com.

NOTE: Records listed are against NCAA Division II opponents only, including the in-region record. All records listed are limited to games played through February 16, 2020.

Atlantic: Indiana (Pa.)-(21-2) is the team to beat here, with the Crimson Hawks lone losses coming to current No. 2 Glenville State (19-4) as well as to current No. 8 California (Pa.)-(17-7). As this post is being typed, the No. 1 seed is IUP's to lose at this point.

Central: This is a wide-open region, with Central Missouri (18-4), Sioux Falls (21-5) Minnesota-Duluth (21-5), Sioux Falls (23-4), and Emporia State occupying the top four spots. Don't be surprised if the battle for the top spot comes down to the final results of the conference tournaments in early March.

East: Adelphi (23-2) has become one of the biggest surprises of the 2019-2020 season so far, rising to the top of the Northeast 10 Conference Southwest Division after struggling to a 15-13 overall mark in 2018-2019. The road to the Elite Eight in this region could very well go through Garden City, N.Y. as things stand at this moment.

Midwest: This is a very loaded region as of right now, as five teams: Drury, Ashland, Grand Valley State, Walsh, and Kentucky Wesleyan have combined for just five losses against D-II opponents, with Drury and Ashland going undefeated. It's too bad that only one of these teams can advance to the Elite Eight, though.

South Central: At 24-0 going into this week's action, Texas A&M-Commerce is the obvious favorite here. But defending national champion Lubbock Christian, as well as West Texas A&M, could give the Lady Buffs a serious run for their money before the dust settles at the end of the regionals.

South: Lee (22-1) has been the class of a traditionally solid Gulf South Conference, with the Lady Flames only loss coming to Valdosta State on December 17, 2019. Potential dark horses in this region are Union at No. 2, Tampa at No.3, Delta State at No. 4, and Benedict at No. 5, among other teams.

Southeast: Despite seeing their 16-game winning streak end at the hands of fellow Peach Belt Conference foe North Georgia (20-3) on February 15, Lander (20-4) still managed to land the No. 1 ranking here, for now. However, No. 3 Belmont Abbey, at 23-2, is a team to pay attention to going down the stretch.

West: Another strong region filled with intrigue, there are five teams with at least 20 wins going into this weekend action, led by No. 1 Hawai'i Pacific (23-1), No. 2 UC San Diego (20-4), No. 3 Alaska-Anchorage (23-2), No. 4 Cal State-San Marcos (20-4), and No. 6 Azusa Pacific (20-4).

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