Six MCAC basketball teams have qualified for the 2025 NJCAA National Tournaments. Four women's teams will compete in Rochester, MN, and two men's teams will make their way to Herkimer, NY, to pursue a national championship from Wednesday, March 12 through Saturday, March 15.
NJCAA Women's Basketball National Tournament:
At the NJCAA Women's Basketball National Tournament, Rochester Community and Technical College was awarded the #1 seed after their outstanding regular season and winning the NJCAA North Plains District 13B Tournament. The Yellowjackets are 21-4 overall and went 8-1 in the MCAC South Division, claiming a share of the MCAC South title. Led by head coach Jason Bonde, RCTC will look for a repeat of the 2023 National Tournament when they won the championship. Competition will begin for the Yellowjackets on Thursday, March 13 at 12:00 PM CT against the winner of the #8 vs. #9 matchup.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College earned the #4 seed at this year's national tournament after winning a close championship game against Minnesota West in the NJCAA North Plains District 13A Tournament to claim the title. The Golden Rams are 18-9 on the season and finished the MCAC South schedule with a 6-4 record, finishing third in their division. Anoka-Ramsey is led by head coach Samantha Doucette, and they return to the national tournament as an automatic qualifier after finishing fifth at the tournament in 2024. The Golden Rams get an opening round bye and will play the winner of the #5 vs. #12 matchup at 2:00 PM on Thursday, March 13.
Looking to upset two MCAC rivals on their way to a national championship game appearance, Northland Community and Technical College is the #5 seed in this year's tournament and is placed on the same side of the bracket as #1 Rochester and #4 Anoka-Ramsey. Northland compiled a 21-5 overall record this season and won the MCAC North Division by going undefeated with a 7-0 record. The Pioneers hosted the district tournament and made the championship game in the North Plains 13B Tournament where they dropped a tough game to Rochester. Northland earned an at-large bid to nationals after finishing third at the 2024 National Tournament. The Pioneers, led by head coach Shannon Nelson, will play #12 seed Montgomery County CC at 2:00 PM CT on Wednesday, March 12.
Rounding out the MCAC's representation in the women's tournament is Minnesota West Community and Technical College. The Lady Jays, after winning the 2024 NJCAA National Championship and going 17-9 through the 2024-25 season, were awarded the #4 seed at nationals. Minnesota West won a share of the MCAC South title with their 8-1 division record. Head coach Rosalie Hayenga's team had the top seed in the NJCAA North Plains District 13A Tournament, and the Lady Jays dropped a tough matchup with Anoka-Ramsey in the championship. Rightfully earning an at-large bid to nationals, the Lady Jays secured a first-round bye and will await the winner of the #6 vs. #11 seeds. Minnesota West will take the court against that winner on Thursday, March 13 at 6:00 PM CT.
NJCAA Men's Basketball National Tournament:
With two very strong men's teams qualifying for nationals from the MCAC South Division, the MCAC should be well represented on championship Saturday. Minnesota State Community and Technical College (Fergus Falls) earned the #3 seed in the tournament after winning the Region 13/North Plains District Championship, defeating Riverland Community College. Although the Spartans have not been to the national tournament in recent years, with their 35-point average margin of victory through the district tournament, the Spartans can't be overlooked. Head coach David Cresap has led his team to a 29-2 overall record, and they went 11-1 in MCAC South Division play, winning the South Division title. The Spartans will begin their quest for a national championship on Thursday, March 13 at 8:00 PM ET when they take on the winner of the #6 vs. #11 matchup.
Riverland Community College, which finished 4th at the 2024 National Tournament, earned an at-large bid this year and the #7 seed. The Blue Devils were ranked #1 nationally for a good portion of the season and qualified once again for the Region 13/North Plains District Championship Game. Dropping that championship game to M State kept the Blue Devils hoping to make nationals for a few more days, but after going 29-3 on the season and 10-2 in the MCAC South, it was announced that Riverland secured their well-earned spot in the top-12. Led by head coach Derek Hahn, Riverland will open their national tournament competition on Wednesday, March 12 at 4:00 PM ET against #10 Salem Community College.
About the Minnesota College Athletic Conference
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference is the organizational body for NJCAA-affiliated two-year technical and community college athletic programs in the Minnesota State system, as well as select colleges in North Dakota and Wisconsin. The mission of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference is to advance intercollegiate athletics by providing an engaging and supportive environment for success of our student athletes and competition among member institutions. The MCAC is committed to the guiding principles of encouraging the development and success of student athletes, promoting the integrity, honesty and loyalty to member schools as well as upholding the sustainability of conference athletic programs.