The NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball tournament is heating up as Florida Southern College and Nova Southeastern University secure their spots in the Sweet 16, also known as the Regional Championship. These two teams are among the final 16, battling it out for the coveted title.
2024 DII Men’s Basketball Championship – Regional finals
Matchups: Florida Southern vs Nova Southeastern
Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
The Journey So Far
Florida Southern, the third-seeded Moccasins, advanced to the regional final after a thrilling overtime victory against the 13th-ranked and second-seeded West Georgia, with a final score of 93-87. The game was held at Rick Case Arena, where the Moccasins showcased their tenacity and skill.
On the other hand, Nova Southeastern, the top-seed in the region, defeated the fifth-seed Embry-Riddle with a score of 81-73. This victory marked their advancement to the regional title game, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.
Team Highlights
Florida Southern, with a record of 23-9, boasts an average of 89.6 points per game. The team’s scoring leader is Luke Anderson, the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year. Anderson, a native of Lakeland, Florida, averages just under 20 points per game at 19.8 and pulls down 8.2 rebounds per game. He is joined by Alex Steen, Akol Arop, Dominick Denny, and Erickson Bans, all of whom have double-digit averages.
Steen, the SSC Defensive Player of the Year, leads a team that averages 44.6 rebounds per game, contributing 10.8 per game himself. The Moccasins have managed to hold their opponents to 82.9 points per game, performing under their season average of 79.5 per game in the regional.
Nova Southeastern, with an impressive record of 29-2, continues to be one of the top-scoring teams in the nation, averaging 101.8 points per game. The team has four players with double-figure averages and two more just outside. Shane Hunter, who averages a team-best 15.9 points, leads the team despite only playing 23.7 minutes per game.
Quarterfinal Summaries
In the first regional semifinal, Florida Southern and West Georgia battled into overtime. After a closely contested game, the Moccasins emerged victorious, thanks to a strong performance from Akol Arop, who led all scorers with six points in overtime.
In the second semifinal, Nova Southeastern claimed a six-point halftime lead against Embry-Riddle and maintained their advantage to secure an eight-point win, advancing to their third straight regional championship game.
Series History
The upcoming game marks the 50th meeting between the Moccasins and Sharks and the first in NCAA Tournament play. The teams have had a competitive history, with Nova Southeastern winning six of the last seven games. However, Florida Southern handed Nova Southeastern its first loss in 62 regular-season games earlier this season.
Looking Ahead
The winner of the South Region will advance to represent the region at the NCAA Elite Eight Championship in Evansville, Indiana, from March 26-30, hosted at the Ford Center. As the competition intensifies, both teams will be looking to bring their A-game to secure their spot in the next round.
