This afternoon at 2:30 p.m., Union’s women’s basketball team will face off against Carson-Newman in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. This is the farthest the Lady Bulldogs or the Lady Eagles have gotten in the tournament since moving to Division II.
Despite Union’s stout defense, this game won’t feature any shortage in scoring as both programs rank in the top ten in the country in points per game.
“From a fans’ perspective it’s going to be a great game,” Carson-Newman head coach Mike Mincey said. “We’ve been scouting Union. We’re getting ready to play probably the best offensive team we’ve gone up against this year.”
Union head coach Mark Campbell expressed similar sentiments about the Lady Eagles’ offense, calling it the “most talented” unit they have played so far this season. More than the X’s and O’s. though, Campbell emphasized the family atmosphere that has carried his squad to its best season in Division II.
“One of the things when you start off the year, at least for me, is my hope is that we have a family,” Campbell said. “I feel overwhelmed that I get just another week with them… I’m just grateful to God to be able to coach them. I think they play hard, and they love each other everywhere we go.”
This has been one of the maddest Marches in years across all of college basketball, and this game shouldn’t be any different. Both of these teams can score almost at will, and the game could easily come down to who gets the ball last.
A viewing party for the game will be held in the Bowld Gym at 2:30 p.m. this afternoon, and SAC will provide popcorn for any fans who show up. Even if you can’t go to the Bowld, though, the game can be streamed live here or heard on 93.1 FM.
