It’s official now. New champions will be crowned on Saturday after both teams from Johnson C. Smith University were booted from the CIAA tournament this week.

The women were shown the door by Fayetteville State University (FSU), while the men took an “L” from Chowan, who are making their inaugural trip through the rigors of one of the most popular and respected tournaments in college basketball.

So far, this year’s tournament has been full of surprises, and you better believe more are in store.

On the women’s side, Cinderella has arrived in the form of a scrappy Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) team. The Lady Vikings have played the role of spoiler, knocking out two teams, including St. Aug., my pick to win the tournament.

Boy, that hurt, but I’m not dismayed. My “sleeper” team - the Lady Broncos of FSU are still in the winners bracket and looking to make more noise. Come Saturday it could be the “sleeper” versus “Cinderella” in the championship game. Though improbable, with this tournament anything is possible.

The men’s bracket is all messed up. First Bowie State went down to the hands of ECSU, then Virginia Union - the three-time Division II National Champions and my pick to win the men’s tournament – were escorted out of Time Warner Cable Arena by Shaw. And you already know what happened to the Golden Bulls.

Surprisingly, the only “Goliath” left standing on the men’s side is St. Aug, who were never in any danger of being upset by the Blue Bears of Livingstone.

While I struck out with Virginia Union, I still have a dog in the fight with those Hawks of CU, which is my “sleeper” team on the men’s side.

Friday, February 26
Women’s Semifinals
Game 1: 1 p.m. – Fayetteville State versus Virginia State
Game 2 : 3 p.m. – Bowie State versus Elizabeth City State

Men’s Semifinals – Broadcast on TV One
Game 1: 7 p.m. – Elizabeth City State versus Shaw
Game 2: 9 p.m. – Chowan versus St. Aug.

Saturday, February 27
6 p.m. – Men’s Championship Game – Broadcast on ESPN U
9 p.m. – Women’s Championship Game – Broadcast on ESPN Plus

Damon Ford is a former journalist who is now a public relations professional working in the public and private sectors in Charlotte.
 

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