NCCAA National Tournament Preview
Portland Bible College (21-10), the West Region champions, enter the NCCAA D2 National Tournament as the 6th Seed. Portland Bible will face 11th seed Atlanta Christian (East Point, GA) in the first round of the tourney on Tuesday @ 6pm (Central time).
Atlanta Christian's key players are Tory Woolsey, Keldrick Appling, Jamal Brunson, Gene Hardnett, Chris Cooper and Cody Crabtree. Atlanta led the NCCAA in Rebounding (43pg), 6th in scoring (81ppg), 4th in Defensive FG% (39.8%), 2nd in Defensive 3pt % (28.6%). Chris Cooper shot 46% from the 3pt line (4th).
The NCCAA National Tournament is held in Springfield, MO on the campus of Central Bible College (#4 Seed). The tournament consists of 12 teams, 8 of whom represent the winners of their respective regions. There are three at large bids are available, one of which was claimed by Atlanta Christian (21-14), and one bid goes to the hosts of the tourney (Central Bible).
The winner of Portland Bible vs Atlanta Christian will face Southeastern University (Lakeland, FL) on Thursday, with the Loser of the game playing their last game of the season on Wednesday in the consolation round. Southeastern (22-11) is the #3 seed and South Region champions. Southeastern is led by Junior guard Nate Marshall, who is the reigning NCCAA II South Region Player of the Year. Marshall was a 2009 NCCAA II First Team All-American as he averaged 17.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game last year. Other key players are Sophomores Marlon Austin, Malcolm Pollock, Seth Spencer, Arthur Jackson and Jordan Witte.