The Middlebury men’s basketball team will be playing in the NCAA Division III tournament for the fourth consecutive season, securing the top seed in the eastern bracket thanks to its 63-54 win over previously top-ranked Williams in the NESCAC conference championship on Sunday.
The Panthers have received a first-round bye for the national tournament and will host the winner of the Western Connecticut State-Salve Regina match up on Saturday night at 7. Tickets will go on sale March 1.
Middlebury’s win over Williams avenged the Panther’s only loss of the season, a 69-64 setback in Williamstown on January 29. Middlebury had advanced to the championship game after rallying from 18 points down to defeat NESCAC nemesis Amherst, 67-61, in the conference semifinals.
Middlebury enters NCAA play with a school-best record of 25-1.