“You won’t want to miss it”: Men’s basketball to host NCAA first and second rounds

, and | Managing Sports Editor, Senior Sports Editor, Staff Writer

WashU fans celebrate after a Will Grudzinski three during last season’s March Madness game. (Clara Richards | Student Life)

On Feb. 9, the Washington University men’s basketball team lost a crucial UAA game at Emory. The loss dropped its record to 14-7, and just 4-6 in conference play, putting its hopes of making the playoffs for a third straight season in jeopardy. Despite the struggles, the team never let the pressure get to it, winning its final four games of the season.

“They hung in there and just kept believing and trusting in what they’re doing and each other,” head coach Pat Juckem said.

Three weeks later, when the NCAA Division III tournament field was revealed on Monday Feb. 26, WashU was one of 64 teams listed. The Bears not only earned a spot in the tournament field, but obtained hosting privileges in the first and second rounds, one of just 16 teams to do so.

“It’s just special getting to play tournament games at home,” senior Jabari Chiphe said after the bracket was released. “It’s such a special memory; our games in the past couple years have been amazing in front of a great crowd. It just feels like a culmination of all the work you put in all year.” 

Though many members of the Bears squad, including Chiphe, bring tournament experience, the squad has struggled in its recent playoff appearances. Last year, the Bears won their opening game, but fell by three points in a second-round thriller against North Park University. The year before that, they lost in the second round by two points. The last time the Bears advanced past the opening weekend — in the 2019-20 season — the tournament was canceled before their third round game due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jabari Chiphe drives during last year’s first round win. (Clara Richards | Student Life)

Though the Bears are confident in their ability to make a deep run this season, they know it will not be an easy feat. 

“There’s only 64 teams left playing at this point, so everybody’s earned it and everyone’s good…” Chiphe said. “I’m confident that if we play to our identity and our strengths, that we can beat anybody in the country, but every game is gonna be a battle.”

The Bears’ opponent, the Wisconsin Lutheran College Warriors, appear poised to offer a unique challenge. On paper, the Warriors may seem like a favorable draw for an opening matchup — this is their first NCAA tournament game in 18 years, and only their second appearance in program history. However, they’ve caught fire to end the year, finishing the season on a 10 game win streak with an average margin of victory of 14 points. The Warriors rode their hot finish to a conference title in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC), which earned them their spot in the NCAA tournament.

“Winning’s just part of their culture right now…,” Juckem said. “So they’re going to be a fantastic test.”

Wisconsin Lutheran plays a high-scoring brand of basketball, led by two-time NACC player of the year Ryan Broekel. The 6’6 senior forward has stuffed the stat sheet this season, averaging 17.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, while also leading the team in blocks and steals. Brokel is joined in the starting lineup by Jacob Stotlz, Grayson Goetz, and Jacob Hefle, three guards who average double-figures and are threats from the perimeter, and big man AJ Vos.

However, the Warriors lack the depth of the WashU squad. Wisconsin Lutheran routinely plays only five or six players per night for 10 or more minutes, while the Bears employ a deep nine-man rotation. Having a capable bench allows the Bears to run play multiple lineups and provide help around their key starters, including recent All-UAA selections junior guard Hayden Doyle, sophomore guard Yogi Oliff, and sophomore center Calvin Kapral. 

Hayden Doyle was named to the All-UAA first team this year. (Clara Richards | Student Life)

While Wisconsin Lutheran averages an impressive 81.9 points per game, compared to WashU’s 74.1, it has not faced as tough competition as the Bears have in the UAA and in tough non-conference matchups. 

Throughout the regular season, WashU played seven teams who made the playoffs — New York University, Case Western Reserve University, Carnegie Mellon University, Babson College, Swarthmore College, Fontbonne University, and Wabash College — and played them to an impressive 7-3 record.

If WashU can get past Wisconsin Lutheran on Friday, it will face off against the winner of the matchup between Dubuque and  Illinois College. The Bears will need to take things one game at a time, but all season they have excelled in must-win games.

Juckem says that the team has embraced a “tournament mentality” as it fought for a playoff spot down the stretch. Experience playing against challenging opponents each week should help the Bears prepare for whatever comes their way in the postseason.

Still, the playoffs present a different beast. From now on, every game the Bears play will come with the risk of a season-ending loss. Unlike in January or February, there is no room for error.

“It’s what makes the tournament special, right? You know, survive and advance. Every time you go out there from this point forward, it could be the last time we do it as a team this year,” Juckem said. “[But] you can’t shy away from it. You have to embrace that moment.”

Last season, when the Bears hosted a regional, students and community members showed up in droves to cheer them on. The Bears have been dominant this season at home, going 13-1, and Juckem hopes that the home-court advantage will once more play a role in this weekend’s win-or-go-home games.

“I just can’t wait to have this field house rocking as it’s never been rocked before,” the coach said. 

For Chiphe, this weekend’s matchups could be the final time he suits up in a Bears uniform. But the senior is ready to play in a packed fieldhouse on Friday night.

“It’s gonna be a fun one,” said Chiphe. “We’re prepared to battle, and you won’t want to miss it.”

Clara Richards contributed reporting.

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