[Men's Basketball] Cavs draw Mount Vernon Nazarene in first round of NAIA Tournament

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – For the first time since 2006 and just the third time in program history, the Montreat College Cavaliers are set to compete in the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship. The 28th annual event takes place Mar. 6 – 12 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Ranked No. 18 in the final NAIA Coaches' Top-25 poll, Montreat is the fifth seed in the Cramer Bracket and will face fourth-seeded Mount Vernon Nazarene in the first round on Thursday at 5 p.m. ET.

"Our players are very excited to be representing Montreat at the national tournament," said head coach Garrett Jones. "Mount Vernon will be a huge challenge. They shoot the ball well and have great size to go with it."

Montreat received an automatic berth to the tournament by finishing as the Appalachian Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament runner-up. At 24-7, the Cavs have posted the most wins in a single season in the program's NAIA history.

"This is a great opportunity for our program. We are humbled and honored to be playing in the tournament, and I look forward to seeing our guys compete," said Coach Jones.

Of 32 total teams, this year's field consists of 23 automatic berths and 9 at-large spots. Automatic qualification is given to conference regular-season champions, regular-season runners-up, tournament champions or tournament runners-up depending on the league. At-large teams were determined using the final regular-season Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

HOW TO WATCH:
Montreat College is hosting a watch party in the Gaither Fellowship Hall for Thursday's opening round game. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Tip-off is at 5 p.m. ET.

Otherwise, fans can purchase a single-day pass for $9.95 or an all-tournament package for $34.95 to view games through the NAIA Network (www.NAIANetwork.com).

For more tournament information, click here.