Texas Southern and Norfolk State Have 'Huge Mountains to Climb' in the 2022 NCAA Tournament
The "First Four" play-in game and the "No. 16 versus No. 1" match brings HBCUs — Texas Southern and Norfolk State Universities — to the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament with huge mountains to climb.
LAST YEAR IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
In 2021, both HBCU programs stunned their "First Four" opponents to advance into the field of 64 teams at the NCAA Tournaments. The upsets were exciting, but there was a problem. They would face the No. 1 seed in each program's regional bracket.
The following matches weren't as competitive after Texas Southern dispatched Mount St. Mary's 60-52 and Norfolk edged Appalachian State 54-53 in the openers.
In the East Region, top-seeded Michigan trounced 82-66. Norfolk State had a similar fate with No. 1-seeded and undefeated Gonzaga falling 98-55 in the first round of the West Region. Despite a couple of first-quarter lead changes, the Zags dominated the Spartans.
THIS YEAR IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
THIS YEAR IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
TSU and TXAM-CC NCAA HISTORY
WILL CINDERELLA MAKE AN APPEARANCE?
Both Texas schools will compete on the grand stage to open March Madness on Tuesday night. We shouldn't camouflage the apparent elephant in the room. Does either HBCU team — TSU or Norfolk — stand a chance against a top-seed? The faithful fans hope Cinderella may show up in Maroon and Gray or Green and Gold, be the truth be told, the First Four are set up to appease and not, please.
Today, for the Tigers and Spartans, many a fan hopes each round and every shot made will count towards a more competitive look for HBCUs in future NCAA Tournament clashes.
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