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The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats won the 2022 NCAA Division II men's basketball championship, defeating Augusta 67-58. This was the Bearcats' third consecutive Division II title, and their fourth in five tournaments. The Bearcats have cemented their spot as the greatest dynasty in Division II men's basketball history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2022 |
| Winner | Northwest Missouri State |
| Team Name | Bearcats |
| Runner-up | Augusta |
| Final Score | 67-58 |
| Tournament Type | Single-elimination |
| Number of Teams | 64 |
| Location | Ford Center, Evansville, Indiana |
| Dates | March 22-26, 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Northwest Missouri State wins third consecutive championship
The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats have won their third consecutive Division II basketball championship. The Bearcats defeated Augusta 67-58 in the 2022 final to secure their fourth Division II national men's title. This win cements their spot as the greatest dynasty in DII men's basketball history.
The Bearcats had a dominant season, winning all four of their 2022 DII men's basketball tournament games by at least 14 points. They also won their 15th straight NCAA Division II Tournament game and 22nd in their last 23 tournament games. The Bearcats' success can be attributed to strong individual performances, such as that of Trevor Hudgins, who won the NABC DII Player of the Year award for the second time, and Diego Bernard, who, along with Hudgins, has been part of the entire run and is 15-0 in his tournament career.
The championship game against Augusta was a tightly contested affair. The Bearcats faced tough competition from Augusta, who were one of the best shooting teams in DII. Despite being in foul trouble for much of the game, the Bearcats were able to hold Augusta to 36.7% shooting from the field and 26% from 3-pointers. Ja'Queze Kirby had a terrific performance for Augusta, with 7 points and 9 rebounds, helping his team come within one point with less than four minutes remaining. However, the Bearcats ultimately prevailed, showcasing their resilience and determination to become the first team to win three consecutive Division II titles.
Northwest Missouri State's victory in the 2022 championship is even more impressive considering the challenges they faced during the season. They had a five-loss season in Maryville, Missouri, demonstrating their ability to overcome adversity and perform when it mattered most. The Bearcats' historic achievement of winning three straight championships is a testament to their hard work, talent, and dedication to the sport.
The 2022 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament featured 64 teams and was held from March 22 to 26, 2022, at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. The tournament returned to its pre-COVID-19 pandemic format, providing a stage for exciting basketball action and the rise of new champions.
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Black Hills State advance to Final Four
Black Hills State University's men's basketball team made it to the Final Four of the 2022 NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament. The eighth-seeded Yellow Jackets beat the No. 1 seed, Nova Southeastern, 77-67, in an Elite Eight contest. This was the first time an 8 seed beat a No. 1 seed since reseeding began in 2016.
The Yellow Jackets' Joel Scott scored 25 points and collected 13 rebounds, including an 11-for-12 effort from the free-throw line. The team finished 21 of 22 from the line. Scott's teammate, Matthew Ragsdale, scored a game-high 25 points, hitting five 3-pointers, while Sindou Cisse and Ryker Cisarik each had 13 points.
However, Black Hills State's season ended in the Final Four with a loss to Northwest Missouri State, who earned a 70-57 win to advance to the championship. The Yellow Jackets struggled to find good looks in the contest and managed their lowest point total of the season. The team shot 40% from the field on 23 of 58 shooting.
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Augusta loses despite Ja'Queze Kirby's efforts
The Augusta Jaguars fell to the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats in the 2022 DII men's basketball championship game, losing 67–58. Despite the loss, Augusta's JaQueze Kirby put up impressive numbers, with 7 points and 9 rebounds. Kirby's performance helped the Jaguars close the gap to a one-point game with less than four minutes remaining. However, Augusta struggled from the free-throw line, going just 17-29, which hindered their chances of overcoming the Bearcats.
Kirby's efforts were not enough to prevent the Bearcats from claiming their third consecutive DII title, a feat that cemented their spot as the greatest dynasty in DII men's basketball history. The Bearcats became the first team to win three straight Division II titles and won their fourth title in five tournaments.
Augusta had a challenging path to the championship game, with Kirby being a key contributor throughout their run. Kirby, a senior forward, had been a member of the Augusta University men's basketball team for the previous three seasons. He had an impressive basketball career prior to joining the team, including being a four-time All-State selection by the Georgia Basketball Coaches Association and back-to-back 2A Player of the Year. Kirby's talent and experience undoubtedly played a crucial role in Augusta's success during the 2022 season.
Although Augusta ultimately fell short in the championship game, their performance throughout the tournament, including Kirby's individual contributions, showcased the team's resilience and determination. Despite the loss, the Jaguars can hold their heads high, knowing they left everything on the court and pushed the dominant Bearcats to the limit.
Unfortunately for Augusta, Kirby did not return for the following season, as he graduated in the spring and decided not to use his final year of eligibility. His absence left a void that the team had to fill, but it also presented an opportunity for other players to step up and fill the gap.
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Kentucky Wesleyan holds the most Division II titles
The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats are the reigning Division II basketball champions, having won the 2022 championship. This was their third consecutive championship and fourth in five tournaments. The Bearcats have cemented their spot as the greatest dynasty in Division II men's basketball history.
However, Kentucky Wesleyan holds the most Division II titles. They have won the championship a record number of times, with a run of victories in 1966, 1968, and 1969. Kentucky Wesleyan's success in the 1960s was part of a larger trend of dominance by the school in Division II basketball. Unfortunately, they forfeited their 2003 runner-up status after it emerged that they had fielded two ineligible transfer players.
The Division II men's basketball championship is an annual tournament that determines the national champion among colleges and universities that are members of NCAA Division II. The tournament was established in 1957 when the NCAA subdivided its member schools into divisions. It became the Division II championship in 1974 when the NCAA further divided the College Division into Division II and Division III.
The road to the championship involves regional tournaments, with teams earning automatic qualification by winning their respective conference tournaments, while the remaining participants enter via at-large bids, which are awarded based on merit rather than conference affiliation. The championship rounds feature a single-elimination format, adding to the excitement and unpredictability of the tournament.
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2022 tournament returns to pre-pandemic format
The 2022 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament returned to its pre-pandemic format, with 64 teams competing to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college basketball in the United States. The championship rounds were held from March 22 to 26, 2022, at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.
The tournament featured teams from eight NCAA-designated regions: Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast, and West. Each region consisted of two or three automatic qualifiers, the teams that won their respective conference tournaments, and either five or six at-large bids, awarded regardless of conference affiliation.
The 2022 tournament saw the return of the standard format after the 2020 tournament was cancelled and the 2021 tournament was held in a single location due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 edition was highly anticipated, with Northwest Missouri State seeking their third consecutive championship, a feat never achieved before in Division II men's basketball.
Northwest Missouri State, also known as the Bearcats, lived up to the expectations and cemented their legacy in Division II basketball. They defeated Augusta in the championship game by a score of 67-58, claiming their fourth Division II national men's title. The Bearcats became the first team to win three consecutive Division II titles, solidifying their spot as the greatest dynasty in DII men's basketball history.
The 2022 tournament also featured several notable upsets and milestones. Black Hills State, an 8-seed, defeated the No. 1 seed Nova Southeastern, marking the first time an 8-seed had beaten a No. 1 seed since reseeding started in 2016. Additionally, seven teams participated in the tournament for the first time, adding new competitors to the mix.
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Frequently asked questions
The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats won the 2022 Division 2 Basketball Championship, defeating Augusta 67-58. This was their third championship in a row and fourth in five tournaments.
The Division 2 Basketball Championship tournament has 64 teams.
The bids are allocated evenly among the eight NCAA-designated regions (Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast, and West). Each region consists of two or three automatic qualifiers (teams that won their respective conference tournaments) and five or six at-large bids, which are awarded regardless of conference affiliation.
