St. Edward's makes DII NCAA men's basketball tournament for first time in 5 years

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Things look bleak for the Texas men's basketball team's NCAA tournament chances, but the Austin area will be represented in the postseason on the men's side regardless as St. Edward's earned their spot in the 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship.

The Hilltoppers are set to face Midwestern State on Saturday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the first round of the tournament. St. Edward's heads into the tournament with a 21-12 record and as the No. 5 seed in the South Central Regional.

Coach Andre Cook's team made the 64-team field for the first time since the 2020 season, when the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

St. Edward's finished third in the Lone Star Conference East Division. Their first round opponent Midwestern State, who finished second in the LSC West Division, beat the Hilltoppers 63-62 in their only meeting this season in November.

The Hilltoppers are coming off a loss in the LSC Tournament to the top seed in the NCAA South Central Regional and Lone Star Conference Champions, Dallas Baptist. If St. Edward's wins its first-round game against Midwestern State, it will face the winner of Dallas Baptist and Regis.