2025 CAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Begins Thursday

Eight teams will begin competing for the 2025 Continental Athletic Conference men's basketball championship and NAIA tournament opportunities on Thursday, February 27, in a tournament being hosted by Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas.

On that first day, defending champion and top-seeded Florida College will play No. 8 seed Carolina University (North Carolina) at 3 p.m. Then, No. 2 seed Arkansas Baptist College will face No. 7 seed Haskell Indian Nations in the nightcap at 7 p.m.

First-round action continues Friday, February 28, with quarterfinal action featuring No. 3 seed Washington Adventist University (Maryland) against No. 6 seed Spartanburg Methodist College (South Carolina) at 3 p.m. Then, No. 4 seed Fisher College (Massachusetts) battles No. 5 seed Northern New Mexico College at 5 p.m.

Semifinal games are set for Saturday, March 1, before the tournament champion is crowned on Sunday, March 2, with a game starting at 7 p.m.

Florida College (12-16) won three of its four games against CAC competition this winter and enter the postseason on a three-game winning streak. Nate Duda leads the Falcons at 14.3 points per game while Malik Beauford is averaging 13.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest. Johnny Torrence and Chase Hettinger also are double-figure scorers.

Arkansas Baptist (10-8) has a 5-6 record in road games so far in 2024-25. Nate Braden leads the Buffaloes at 13.1 points per contest and is closely followed by Ryan Gordan at 12.7 points per contest. Deavon Bankston is scoring 10.7 points and grabbing 5.3 rebounds per outing.

Washington Adventist (10-12) has a 6-2 record against CAC competition. Rande Harper leads the Shock at 18.9 points per contest. Chase Cooke is averaging 15.9 points per outing, while Emanuel Hylton and Anthony Perry are other double-figure scorers for the team.

Fisher (13-12) has won six straight games and a 4-5 record in CAC action. The Falcons are averaging 83.8 points a game this season. Ke'Andre Penceal tops on the team in scoring (17.6 point per game) and rebounding (6.4 per contest). Justin Covington adds 15.5 points per contest and is followed by Keith Rupert (13.8 ppg) and Mekhi Dedrick (11.8) in a balanced offensive attack.

Northern New Mexico (7-16) won two of its three conference games and had a 4-2 home record. Nigel Quaynor is scoring at a 12.8-point clip and is grabbing 7.9 rebounds per outing. Tahj Malik-Campbell adds 12 points per contest for the Eagles. Eloy Medina has made a team-best 33 3-point field goals.

Spartanburg Methodist (10-15) has split its 10 games against CAC competition this winter. Bryan Bayonne leads the Pioneers in scoring at 24.5 points per contest. Tavarez Lacey is another offensive threat at 12.2 points a game.

Haskell Indian Nations (6-19) has collected five victories on its home floor this winter. Nehemiah Boykins leads the team in scoring at 15.7 points per contest. Bryan Strom has averaged 10 points per outing and made 43 3-point field goals while starting 20 games.

Carolina (10-15) is making its postseason debut after going 2-3 against CAC teams in 2024-25. Aundree Polk leads the Bruins at 22.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Davon Cottle is averaging 13.7 points per outing. Chris High has made 50 3-pointers in 21 games.

2025 Continental Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Schedule (All times in central time zone)

Thursday, February 27 – Quarterfinal Round

Game 1: No. 1 Florida College vs. No. 8 Carolina University, 3 p.m.

Game 2: No. 2 Arkansas Baptist vs. No. 7 Haskell Indian Nations, 7 p.m.

Friday, February 28 – Quarterfinal Round

Game 3: No. 3 Washington Adventist vs. No. 6 Spartanburg Methodist, 3 p.m.

Game 4: No. 4 Fisher vs. No. 5 Northern New Mexico, 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 1 – Semifinal Round

Game 5: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 4, TBD

Game 6: Winner of Game 2 vs. Winner of Game 3, TBD

Sunday, March 2 – Championship Game

Game 7: Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6, 7 p.m.