The Northern Essex Community College men’s basketball team has earned the number two seed in next week’s national tournament set to begin Wednesday March 13th on the campus of Herkimer College in Herkimer, NY.
By virtue of their seed, the Knights will receive an opening day bye and will open up national tournament play on Thurs., March 14 at 6 p.m. in an Elite Eight matchup against the winner of No. 7 seeded Prince George’s (MD) Community College and No. 10 seeded Riverland (MN) Community College.
The remaining three teams on the Knights side of the bracket includes the tournament host and third seed Generals of Herkimer College who will take on the winner of Wednesday’s opening day game between No. 11 Joliet (IL) Junior College and No. 6 Minnesota North-Rainy River.
An Elite Eight win would send the Knights onto to the national semi-finals on Friday, March 15 7 p.m. with the national championship game set for Sat., March 16 at 5 p.m.
The Knights are led by Region 21 Player of the Year and reigning First Team All-American Luis Reynoso (Lawrence) who is averaging 19.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game heading into the national tournament.
As a team, the Knights will enter the tournament leading the nation in scoring defense as they’ve held the opponents to an average of 61.4 points per game. The Knights have controlled the glass throughout the season as they rank second nationally in all four rebounding categories and fifth in steals per game at 13.2.
Daily admission to the games in Herkimer is $5. Fans not making the trip will be available to purchase pay per view access to the games on the NJCAA Network.