How did the 2022 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship unfold. Which teams emerged victorious in key matchups. What were the most significant moments and performances throughout the tournament.
The Road to the Championship: First Round Highlights
The 2022 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship kicked off with a series of thrilling first-round matchups. These initial games set the tone for what would prove to be an exciting and unpredictable tournament. Let’s examine some of the standout performances and surprising results from the opening round.
Dominant Victories and Close Calls
Several teams made strong statements with commanding wins in their first-round games:
- Wisconsin-Oshkosh defeated Blackburn College 92-74
- Christopher Newport University overwhelmed Baruch 88-50
- Elmhurst College outpaced Washington & Jefferson 95-70
However, not all games were decided by wide margins. Some contests came down to the wire, showcasing the competitive nature of Division III basketball:
- Pomona-Pitzer edged out Northwestern-St. Paul 67-66
- Johns Hopkins narrowly defeated Yeshiva 63-59
- Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) outlasted Dubuque 91-87
These close games demonstrated the parity within Division III and foreshadowed the intense competition that would continue throughout the tournament.
Second Round Surprises: Upsets and Emerging Contenders
As the tournament progressed to the second round, several teams began to separate themselves from the pack, while others saw their championship dreams come to an unexpected end.
Notable Upsets
The second round featured several surprising results that shook up the bracket:
- CWRU continued their strong play, upsetting Wisconsin-Oshkosh 77-74
- Calvin College knocked off higher-seeded Wisconsin-Platteville 76-64
- Keene State stunned Swarthmore in a nail-biter, 84-83
These upsets served as a reminder that in tournament play, anything can happen, and rankings don’t always dictate outcomes.
Powerhouse Performances
While some favorites fell, others lived up to their billing with impressive second-round showings:
- Mary Hardin-Baylor dominated Trinity (TX) 98-82
- Christopher Newport continued their march with a convincing 81-67 win over Susquehanna
- Marietta College built on their first-round success, defeating Rochester (NY) 88-83
These teams established themselves as serious contenders for the championship, setting the stage for intense Sweet Sixteen matchups.
Sweet Sixteen Showdowns: The Field Narrows
As the tournament entered the Sweet Sixteen, the level of competition intensified. Each game became a battle of wills, with teams fighting to keep their championship hopes alive.
Clash of the Titans
The Sweet Sixteen saw several heavyweight matchups between teams that had been dominant throughout the season:
- Mary Hardin-Baylor narrowly edged out CWRU 89-84 in a high-scoring affair
- Elmhurst continued their impressive run, defeating Calvin 79-77 in a back-and-forth contest
- Christopher Newport flexed their muscles with a resounding 93-54 victory over Stockton
These games showcased the high level of talent in Division III basketball and the thin margins separating the top teams in the country.
Cinderella Stories
While some favorites advanced, the Sweet Sixteen also saw the continuation of several underdog runs:
- Oswego State, after upsetting Keene State in the previous round, kept their momentum going with an 84-63 win over Hood
- Wabash College, despite entering the tournament with less fanfare than some other teams, secured their place in the Elite Eight with a hard-fought 73-59 victory over Williams
These performances demonstrated that in the NCAA tournament, determination and teamwork can often overcome perceived talent disparities.
Elite Eight Excitement: The Final Four Takes Shape
With a trip to the Final Four on the line, the Elite Eight matchups were filled with intensity and drama. Each team was just two wins away from a chance at the national title, and the games reflected the high stakes.
Battle-Tested Veterans
Several teams that had been consistent performers throughout the tournament continued to shine in the Elite Eight:
- Marietta College secured their Final Four berth with a hard-fought 81-79 victory over Christopher Newport
- Randolph-Macon, a powerhouse throughout the season, dominated UMass Dartmouth 92-69
These teams relied on their experience and composure in high-pressure situations to advance to the national semifinals.
Cinderella’s Last Dance?
The Elite Eight also saw the end of some impressive underdog runs:
- Wabash College’s remarkable tournament journey came to an end with an 81-75 loss to Illinois Wesleyan
- Oswego State, after their surprising Sweet Sixteen victory, fell to Marietta 89-81
While these teams may not have reached the Final Four, their performances throughout the tournament were a testament to the competitive spirit of Division III basketball.
Final Four Frenzy: Championship Dreams on the Line
The Final Four brought together the cream of the crop in Division III basketball. With the national title within reach, these games were characterized by high-level play and intense competition.
Semifinal Sensations
The national semifinals featured two contrasting games:
- Elmhurst’s Cinderella run came to an end as they fell to a dominant Randolph-Macon squad, 75-45
- Marietta engaged in a back-and-forth battle with Christopher Newport, ultimately prevailing 81-79 in a game that went down to the wire
These results set up a championship game between Randolph-Macon, who had been dominant throughout the tournament, and Marietta, who had shown incredible resilience in close games.
Individual Standouts
While basketball is a team sport, several players distinguished themselves with outstanding performances in the Final Four:
- Buzz Anthony of Randolph-Macon continued his stellar play, leading his team in scoring and assists
- Lukas Isaly of Marietta showed incredible poise, hitting crucial shots in the closing minutes of their semifinal victory
These players’ performances not only elevated their teams but also showcased the high level of individual talent in Division III basketball.
Championship Clash: Randolph-Macon vs. Marietta
The 2022 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship game lived up to the hype, featuring two teams that had proven themselves throughout the tournament. Randolph-Macon and Marietta battled fiercely for the right to call themselves national champions.
A Tale of Two Halves
The championship game was a study in contrasts:
- Randolph-Macon came out strong, building a lead in the first half with their efficient offense and stifling defense
- Marietta, true to their tournament form, rallied in the second half, cutting into the lead and setting up a dramatic finish
The ebb and flow of the game kept fans on the edge of their seats, showcasing the best that Division III basketball has to offer.
Championship Moment
In the end, Randolph-Macon’s consistency and poise proved too much for Marietta. The Yellow Jackets secured an 81-63 victory, capturing their first NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship.
Key factors in Randolph-Macon’s victory included:
- Balanced scoring, with multiple players reaching double figures
- Strong defensive performance, limiting Marietta’s offensive opportunities
- Clutch free-throw shooting in the closing minutes to seal the win
The championship game served as a fitting conclusion to an exciting tournament, highlighting the skill, determination, and sportsmanship that define Division III basketball.
Tournament Impact: Beyond the Final Score
The 2022 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship was more than just a series of games. It had a lasting impact on players, coaches, and the broader college basketball community.
Player Development and Exposure
The tournament provided a platform for Division III athletes to showcase their skills on a national stage. Many players used their performances to:
- Gain recognition from professional scouts, potentially opening doors to playing opportunities overseas
- Enhance their resumes for future coaching or basketball-related careers
- Create lasting memories and experiences that will stay with them long after their college careers
For these student-athletes, the tournament represented the pinnacle of their competitive basketball careers, and the experience gained was invaluable.
Program Building
Success in the NCAA tournament can have far-reaching effects on college basketball programs:
- Increased visibility and prestige for schools, potentially boosting recruiting efforts
- Enhanced support from alumni and the local community
- Validation of coaching strategies and program philosophies
For teams like Randolph-Macon and Marietta, their deep tournament runs may serve as a springboard for sustained success in the coming years.
Celebration of Division III Athletics
The tournament highlighted the unique aspects of Division III sports:
- Focus on the balance between academics and athletics
- Emphasis on the overall student-athlete experience
- High level of competition without the commercialization often seen in higher divisions
By showcasing these values, the tournament reinforced the importance and appeal of Division III athletics in the broader landscape of college sports.
As we reflect on the 2022 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship, it’s clear that the tournament was about more than just crowning a champion. It was a celebration of the sport, the athletes who compete at this level, and the values that make Division III basketball unique. The memories created, lessons learned, and bonds formed during this tournament will continue to resonate with participants and fans alike for years to come.
2022 Division III Men’s Basketball Official Bracket
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Printable Bracket |
FINAL
Wis.-Oshkosh 92
Blackburn 74
FINAL
CWRU 91
Dubuque 87
FINAL
Mary Hardin-Baylor 88
Chapman 81
FINAL
Whitworth 52
Trinity (TX) 77
FINAL
Wis.-Platteville 76
Marian (WI) 59
FINAL
Saint John’s (MN) 71
Calvin 77
FINAL
Elmhurst 95
Wash. & Jeff. 70
FINAL
Pomona-Pitzer 67
Northwestern-St. Paul 66
FINAL
Wis.-Oshkosh 74
CWRU 77
FINAL
Mary Hardin-Baylor 98
Trinity (TX) 82
FINAL
Wis.-Platteville 64
Calvin 76
FINAL
Elmhurst 76
Pomona-Pitzer 70
FINAL
CWRU 84
Mary Hardin-Baylor 89
FINAL
Calvin 77
Elmhurst 79
FINAL
Mary Hardin-Baylor 84
Elmhurst 87
FINAL
Marietta 91
Medaille 79
FINAL
Rochester (NY) 88
Eastern 65
FINAL
Swarthmore 83
Keene St. 84
FINAL
Oswego St. 82
Hood 73
FINAL
Chris. Newport 88
Baruch 50
FINAL
Rowan 84
Susquehanna 94
FINAL
Stockton 87
Wilson 52
FINAL
Johns Hopkins 63
Yeshiva 59
FINAL
Marietta 88
Rochester (NY) 83
FINAL
Keene St. 63
Oswego St. 84
FINAL
Chris. Newport 81
Susquehanna 67
FINAL
Stockton 70
Johns Hopkins 63
FINAL
Marietta 89
Oswego St. 81
FINAL
Chris. Newport 93
Stockton 54
FINAL
Marietta 81
Chris. Newport 79
Semifinals
Championship
Semifinals
FINAL
Elmhurst 90
Wabash 68
FINAL
Elmhurst 45
Randolph-Macon 75
FINAL
Marietta 63
Randolph-Macon 81
National Champion
Randolph-Macon
FINAL
Emory 65
Averett 60
FINAL
Wabash 91
Berry 79
FINAL
Mount Union 74
Stevens 84
FINAL
Williams 95
Neumann 57
FINAL
Ill.
Wesleyan 73
Franklin 55
FINAL
Wis.-La Crosse 90
Heidelberg 86
FINAL
WashU 71
Cornell College 58
FINAL
Wheaton (IL) 71
Hope 69
FINAL
Emory 86
Wabash 87
FINAL
Stevens 61
Williams 71
FINAL
Ill. Wesleyan 65
Wis.-La Crosse 56
FINAL
WashU 61
Wheaton (IL) 63
FINAL
Wabash 73
Williams 59
FINAL
Ill. Wesleyan 77
Wheaton (IL) 73
FINAL
Wabash 81
Ill. Wesleyan 75
FINAL
Randolph-Macon 99
Mitchell 57
FINAL
DeSales 67
Babson 80
FINAL
Nazareth 78
Westfield St.
71
FINAL
UMass Dartmouth 86
Emerson 83
FINAL
Wesleyan (CT) 81
Husson 61
FINAL
Nichols 58
Rensselaer 78
FINAL
WPI 77
Vassar 58
FINAL
Saint Joseph (CT) 53
Penn St. Harrisburg 63
FINAL
Randolph-Macon 67
Babson 51
FINAL
Nazareth 68
UMass Dartmouth 78
FINAL
Wesleyan (CT) 58
Rensselaer 59
FINAL
WPI 72
Penn St. Harrisburg 52
FINAL
Randolph-Macon 92
UMass Dartmouth 69
FINAL
Rensselaer 55
WPI 56
FINAL
Randolph-Macon 76
WPI 53
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2023 Division III Women’s Basketball Official Bracket
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Printable Bracket |
FINAL
Smith 100
SUNY Morrisville 50
FINAL
Marymount (VA) 72
St.
John Fisher 80
FINAL
Mary Washington 69
Roger Williams 60
FINAL
DeSales 78
Mitchell 60
FINAL
Trinity (CT) 58
Notre Dame (MD) 43
FINAL
Cortland 62
Saint Vincent 51
FINAL
Ohio Wesleyan 68
Gust. Adolphus 84
FINAL
Wis.-Whitewater 69
Webster 50
FINAL
Smith 65
St. John Fisher 64
FINAL
Mary Washington 75
DeSales 69
FINAL
Trinity (CT) 64
Cortland 59
FINAL
Gust. Adolphus 63
Wis.-Whitewater 68
FINAL
Smith 68
Mary Washington 65
FINAL
Trinity (CT) 63
Wis.-Whitewater 56
FINAL
Smith 63
Trinity (CT) 46
FINAL
Chris.
Newport 89
Brooklyn 52
FINAL
Elizabethtown 79
Stevens 68
FINAL
Baldwin Wallace 43
Wartburg 57
FINAL
Hope 82
St. Norbert 61
FINAL
Trinity (TX) 79
Texas-Dallas 62
FINAL
Hardin-Simmons 77
Redlands 60
FINAL
Skidmore 62
Johns Hopkins 59
FINAL
Tufts 72
Merchant Marine 57
FINAL
Chris. Newport 65
Elizabethtown 55
FINAL
Wartburg 81
Hope 67
FINAL
Trinity (TX) 88
Hardin-Simmons 69
FINAL
Skidmore 50
Tufts 59
FINAL
Chris. Newport 60
Wartburg 51
FINAL
Trinity (TX) 52
Tufts 65
FINAL
Chris.
Newport 72
Tufts 56
Semifinals
Championship
Semifinals
FINAL
Smith 65
Transylvania 76
FINAL
Transylvania 57
Chris. Newport 52
FINAL
Chris. Newport 56
Rhode Island Col. 51
National Champion
Transylvania
FINAL
Transylvania 58
Rhodes 45
FINAL
Emory 70
Millikin 76
FINAL
Wis.-Oshkosh 58
Wash. & Lee 55
FINAL
Ohio Northern 54
Berea 43
FINAL
Loras 68
Knox 56
FINAL
WashU 69
Trine 79
FINAL
Messiah 47
Bridgewater St. 43
FINAL
NYU 71
Greensboro 54
FINAL
Transylvania 71
Millikin 59
FINAL
Wis.
-Oshkosh 60
Ohio Northern 71
FINAL
Loras 54
Trine 60
FINAL
Messiah 39
NYU 62
FINAL
Transylvania 67
Ohio Northern 43
FINAL
Trine 49
NYU 66
FINAL
Transylvania 79
NYU 63
FINAL
Babson 69
Maine Maritime 44
FINAL
Gettysburg 47
SUNY New Paltz 63
FINAL
Marietta 61
Eastern Conn. St. 57
FINAL
Ithaca 58
La Roche 42
FINAL
UChicago 63
Northwestern-St. Paul 48
FINAL
Wis.-Eau Claire 81
Whitman 85
FINAL
Rhode Island Col. 67
Rowan 59
FINAL
Scranton 64
St.
Joseph’s (ME) 45
FINAL
Babson 76
SUNY New Paltz 66
FINAL
Marietta 44
Ithaca 42
FINAL
UChicago 56
Whitman 54
FINAL
Rhode Island Col. 62
Scranton 55
FINAL
Babson 73
Marietta 59
FINAL
UChicago 56
Rhode Island Col. 64
FINAL
Babson 47
Rhode Island Col. 60
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