2008 Division II Men's Basketball Championship Set to Begin March 12 :: 17th Annual event takes place at College of the Ozarks (Mo.)

March 11, 2008

Championship Information | click here

Tickets | click here
Bracket | click here

Watch it Live | click here

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. -- The 17th Annual NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Championship will be contested from Wednesday, March 12 through Tuesday, March 18 from Point Lookout, Mo. College of the Ozarks (Mo.) serves as host for the ninth straight Championship. The 32-team, single elimination tournament takes place in Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of Ozarks.

The 2007 Championship marked the sixth straight in which the NAIA crowned a different team in Division II basketball. The Championship game also saw two new teams battle for the title for the sixth consecutive season. In the 16-year history of Division II basketball, the NAIA has handed the trophy to 13 different teams. MidAmerica Nazarene captured its first title in school history last season as the Pioneers defeated Mayville State (N.D.), 78-60, in the championship game.

No. 2 MidAmerica Nazarene will look to defend its title this season and become only the second team to win back-to-back titles and the third to win multiple championships. Bethel (Ind.) captured three titles including two straight in 1997 and 1998. Bethel won its first championship in 1995. Northwestern (Iowa) also won two in 2001 and 2003.

In order to defend their title, the Pioneers will have to replace four players including NAIA All-Tournament selection Akuien Wour. MNU is led by 2007 NAIA First Team All-American and two-time Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Player of the Year, Adam Hepker and junior Danny Hawkins. Both players average over 20 points in scoring while Hepker surpassed the 2,000-point mark this year. The Pioneers also depend on two returning juniors, Cal Kiburz and Austin Boots, who saw significant minutes the last two seasons and sophomore shooting guard, Brenton Bell.

Bellevue University (Neb.) notched the No. 1 seed for the second straight Championship. It marks the first time in the 17-year history that a team has earned No. 1 in back-to-back Championships. BU looks to rebound after a disappointing 2007 tournament as the number-one seed. The Bruins were knocked out in the second round by Northwest and will have something to prove this Championship. Bellevue is led by six returning seniors including alll-conference performer senior Klaye Rowe who is averaging 15.7 ppg and 7.7 rpg.

Morningside (Iowa) secured the No. 3 seed. The Mustangs started off 2007-08 on a 23-game winning streak, the longest of any program to start the year. MC enters with relatively little Championship experience having one prior trip in 2006. Seniors Jack Rother and Thomas Pargett stand with over 1,000 career points. They anchor a team that earned the No. 1 national ranking for the first time back when the Mustangs held the top spot in polls No. 4-9 this year.

No. 4 Walsh (Ohio) comes from one of the most competitive conferences (American Mideast) where several teams were ranked consistently in the Top 25. This is their eighth Championship and fourth straight appearance. Seniors Corey Jones (13.7 ppg) and Brandon Weems (11.8 ppg) are key on the senior-heavy roster. Both know about the spotlight as well having played high school basketball with NBA star LaBron James at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Ohio.

Entering its 10th straight Championship is No. 5 Northwestern (Iowa). Perhaps the program with the most Championship experience, the Red Raiders own a 25-10 record and claim the most victories ever in the Championship. Two seniors, Chad Schuiteman and Curt Schilling, have both posted over 2,000 career points. They will look to give NC the program's third National Championship title.

Host school and No. 10 Ozarks (Mo.) is in its ninth straight Championship and has one title under its belt (2006). The Bobcats will rely on its home crowd as they sit on a 13-0 home record this year. Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) Player of the Year senior Daniel Bandy pours in 18.1 points per contest.

No. 9 Bethel (Ind.) enter the Championship with much playoff experience. The Pilots enter their seventh Championship with a 20-3 record (.870), best among all participants. BC has three players scoring in double figures led by junior William Walker (19.2 ppg), sophomore Tyler Brown (15.0 ppg) and sophomore Ryne Lightfoot (12.5 ppg).

The 17th National Championship will culminate at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18.

Championship Quick Facts
Annual: 17th
Total Games: 31
Schools Involved: 32
Host: College of the Ozarks (Mo.)
Site: Point Lookout, Mo.
Facility: Keeter Gymnasium
Dates: March 12-18
Tickets : 417.335.6242
Website: www.naia.org
TV Coverage: CSTV (National Championship Game)
TV Talent: Jason Knapp & Steve Wolf