For the first time in school history, both the St. Thomas University men's and women's basketball teams are heading to the NAIA Division II National Tournament in the same season. On Wednesday, the NAIA announced the 32 qualifiers for both national tournaments which take place March 7-13. The St. Thomas men's team, ranked no. 12 in the final regular-season Coaches Poll, received the No. 1 at-large seed with a record of 22-8. The women's team, ranked 20
th in the final regular season Coaches Poll, earned the No. 6 at-large seed with a record of 24-7.
Under Conference Coach of the Year Clark Maloney, the men's team set school records for most wins in a season and longest win streak (14 games from Dec. 1 – Feb. 1). This season marks STU's fourth appearance in the national tournament and second since the school resurrected the program in 2007 under Maloney.
The women's team heads to the national tournament for second time in the five years of the program's existence, all under Head Coach Robin Harmony. Harmony, a longtime Assistant Coach and All-American player at University of Miami, recently won her 100
th game as a head coach all of which have come at St. Thomas.
Tournament play starts Wednesday, March 7. The NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament is held in Point Lookout, Mo. The NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament is held in Sioux City, Iowa. Both teams will be seeking their first win at the national tournament.
St. Thomas Men's Basketball
FIRST ROUND: Wednesday, March 7, 6:45 p.m. ET vs. Indiana Tech
Head Coach: Clark Maloney (78-66 at STU)
2011-12 Record: 22-8
Final Top-25 Poll Ranking: #12
At-Large Qualifier Rank: #1
NAIA Tournament Appearances: 4 ('94, '97, '09)
NAIA Tournament Record: 0-3
St. Thomas Women's Basketball
FIRST ROUND: Wednesday, March 7, 6:45 p.m. ET vs. Briar Cliff (Iowa)
Head Coach: Robin Harmony (104-42 at STU)
2011-12 Record: 24-7
Final Top-25 Poll Ranking: #20
At-Large Qualifier Rank: #6
NAIA Tournament Appearances: 1 ('10)
NAIA Tournament Record: 0-1
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