Preview: CBC in Olathe, Kan.

Erik Holth, CBC Sports Information Director

            Conway, Ark. – After securing their third American Midwest Conference tournament championship last Tuesday night, Central Baptist College opens play in the 2024 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship presented by Ballogy First Round tomorrow night as a #14 seed in the Cramer Region. Tipoff against the #3 seed, MidAmerica Nazarene, is scheduled for 8 p.m.

            Joining CBC and MidAmerica Nazarene in Olathe, Kan., are the #6 seed, LSU-Alexandria and the #11 seed Bethel University from Mishawauka, Ind. CBC is 25-6 this season and won both the regular season and conference tournament titles in the AMC. The Mustangs average 80.5 points per game on 45 percent shooting from the field, 33 percent from three and 68 percent from the free throw line. CBC is grabbing 39.3 rebounds per game this season while committing 11.4 turnovers per game. On defense, CBC allows just 69.7 points per game on 41 percent shooting from the field and 29 percent from three while opponents are making 71 percent of their free throws, grabbing 37.6 rebounds per game and are being forced into 12.6 turnovers per game.

            MidAmerica Nazarene enters the tournament 25-5 on the season and as the regular champions of the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Pioneers made it to the semifinals of the Heart tournament before being upset by eventual tournament champion Peru State. MNU is scoring 87.8 points per game on 50 percent shooting from the field, 36 percent from three and 72 percent at the free throw line while grabbing 42.5 rebounds per game and committing 14 turnovers per game. The Pioneers are holding opponents to 73 points per game on 42 percent shooting from the field and 30 percent from three while shooting 68 percent from the charity stripe and grabbing 31.9 rebounds and forced into committing 13.1 turnovers per game.

            LSU-Alexandria enters the postseason 24-6 overall and as regular season and tournament champions of the Red River Athletic Conference. The Generals average 84.8 points per game on 44 precent shooting from the field, 34 percent from three and 71 percent at the free throw line while grabbing 32.9 rebounds per game while committing 13.4 turnovers per game. Defensively, LSUA allows 77.4 points per game on 44 percent shooting from the field and 34 percent from three while forcing opponents into 16.1 turnovers per game.

            Bethel enters National Tournament play 19-10 on the season, having earned an at large bid after finishing fifth in the Crossroads League. The Pilots are averaging 85.6 points per game on 51 percent shooting from the field, 36 percent from three and 71 percent at the free throw line, grabbing 37.5 rebounds per game and committing 9.8 turnovers per game. On Defense, BU allows 79 points per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent from three while opponents grab just 31.8 rebounds per game and are forced into 9.9 turnovers per game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

• CBC: Sage Borbon – 14.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game; Deshawn Corprew – 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game; Jonas Carlisle -10.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game; Kyle Harding – 10.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game
• MNU: Ed Wright – 19.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game; Anthony Brown – 16.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game; Caleb Jones-McCrary – 14.2 points, 9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game
• LSUA: JD Allen – 18.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game; Kashie Natt – 17.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game; Jason Perry – 11.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
• BU: Drew Lutz – 24.6 points, 4 rebounds, 3.9 assists per game; Preston Phillips – 11.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game