Men's basketball earns 3rd NCAA bid in 4 years
For the third time in four years, the University of North Georgia (UNG) men's basketball team has earned a spot in the NCAA Division II tournament. As the No. 5 seed in the Southeast Regional, UNG (22-7) faces No. 4 seed Lenoir-Rhyne University (24-8) at 7:30 p.m. March 14 in Anderson, South Carolina.
The Nighthawks enter the NCAA postseason as winners of 11 of their past 12 games, and seventh-year head coach Dan Evans has now been at the helm for all three national postseason appearances in UNG's 21 years in NCAA Division II.
If UNG wins its NCAA tournament opener, the Nighthawks would face the winner between No. 1 seed Anderson University and No. 8 Young Harris College at 7:30 p.m. March 15. The Southeast Regional title game is at 7 p.m. March 17 with the winner advancing to Elite Eight, which starts March 25 at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh.
Lenoir-Rhyne was the 2025 Southeast Regional champion, and UNG won the Southeast Regional in 2024.
UNG reached the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) championship game with victories against Georgia College and Columbus State before falling to Lander on March 7. Zack Hawkinson, Colin Turner and Chase Champion were each named to the PBC All-Tournament Team.
NCAA Division II men's basketball Southeast Regional
At Anderson University
March 14
No. 1 Anderson (29-2) vs. No. 8 Young Harris (22-8)
No. 4 Lenoir-Rhyne (24-8) vs. No. 5 North Georgia (22-7)
No. 2 Lander (25-5) vs. No. 7 Lincoln Memorial (19-11)
No. 3 Catawba (23-8) vs. No. 6 Columbus State (22-8)
March 15
Lander-Lincoln Memorial winner vs. Catawba-Columbus State winner, 5 p.m.
North Georgia-Lenoir-Rhyne winner vs. Anderson-Young Harris winner, 7:30 p.m.
March 17
Championship game, 7 p.m.
Basketball teams aim to earn NCAA bids
The UNG men's and women's basketball teams enter this week's Peach Belt Conference tournaments seeking to solidify their chances of making their respective NCAA Division II tournaments.
Spring teams aim to maintain high standards
UNG's spring sports teams are gearing up for another season competing at the highest levels both in the Peach Belt Conference and nationally.
Mental health grad assistant program starts
Two UNG students in the Master of Science in counseling program are serving as mental health graduate assistants for the Athletic Department, and one is serving in the same capacity for the Corps of Cadets.