Texas Southern, the champions of the SWAC for the third time in the last four years, has drawn North Carolina, the No. 1 seed in the South region of the NCAA Tournament.
North Carolina Central, which won the MEAC crown, is scheduled to play UC Davis in the First Four in Dayton, Ohio with the winner taking on No. 1 seed Kansas in the Midwest region.
The Tigers were 16-2 in conference play and 23-11 overall this season under head coach Mike Davis.
TSU is led by SWAC Player of the Year Zach Lofton, who led the conference in scoring during the regular season at 17 points per game. SWAC Freshman of the Year Demontrae Jefferson (14.9 points per game, 3.3 assists per game).
North Carolina finished the season 27-7 overall and won the ACC regular season title. The Tar Heels are led by ACC Player of the Year Justin Jackson and second-team all-ACC guard Joel Berry.
A No. 16 seed has never beat a No. 1 seed in men’s basketball tournament history.
North Carolina Central (25-8), are led by Patrick Cole who leads the team in scoring an assists this season.
The Eagles opponent, UC Davis, will be making the program’s first trip to the tournament after winning the Big West conference tournament. The Aggies are paced by Brynton Lemar, who leads the team in scoring at 16.0 points per game and is shooting 38 percent from 3-point range.
The winner will play No. 1 seed Kansas in the first round.
