Titans Begin NCAA Postseason Journey In Minnesota

UW-Oshkosh returns to the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship for the first time in 13 seasons when it plays Elmhurst College (Ill.) on Friday (March 4) in St. Paul, Minn.

Tipoff for the first-round contest of the 62-team national tournament is set for 5:30 p.m. in Schoenecker Arena on the University of St. Thomas campus.

UW-Oshkosh and Elmhurst College will participate in the first of two games on Friday in St. Paul. The second contest, which is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., features the University of St. Thomas battling Central College (Iowa).

The winners of Friday's games will remain in St. Paul for a 7 p.m. contest on Saturday (March 5). Second-round winners will advance to one of four sectional sites for games on March 11-12. Winners of the four sectionals will then advance to the semifinals and finals on March 18-19 in Salem, Va.

UW-Oshkosh (18-9) gained an automatic entry into the NCAA's postseason gala after defeating UW-River Falls, 66-63, in the title game of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic (WIAC) Championship held Sunday (Feb. 28) in Oshkosh. The Titans, who shared second place in the WIAC's regular-season standings with UW-Eau Claire and UW-River Falls, are making their first NCAA postseason visit since 2003 and sixth overall.

Elmhurst College (21-6) received an at-large berth into this weekend's activity after finishing third in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin's regular-season standings. The Bluejays are appearing in the NCAA postseason for the second straight year and fifth time overall.

Central College (19-9) earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Championship after becoming the first team in Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference history to win three consecutive road games in the league tournament. The Dutch defeated Wartburg College (Iowa), 92-80, in the title contest after finishing fifth during the league's regular-season standings. Central College is making its second NCAA postseason visit in three seasons and 11th overall.

The University of St. Thomas (24-3) collected an at-large berth into the national tournament after winning the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular-season title for the 11th straight year. The Tommies lost a 72-66 decision to St. Olaf College (Minn.) in the championship game of the league tournament held Sunday. The University of St. Thomas, which captured the 2011 NCAA Division III title, is playing in the postseason for the 11th straight year and 17th overall.

The University of St. Thomas is ranked seventh in the country by D3hoops.com and Elmhurst College 17th.

UW-Oshkosh previously appeared in the NCAA Division III Championship in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2003. The Titans own a 7-5 postseason record, including a 3-1 mark when they advanced to the quarterfinal round of the 2003 championship.

2016 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship Bracket

2016 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship Selection Show