A Round Of 16 Duel Between Arizona Christian And Cumberlands (KY)

Kansas City, Mo.- The first game of the Round of 16 for the 87th Annual NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship will feature Arizona Christian- the top seed of the Cramer Quadrant- versus the University of Cumberlands (KY)- the Cramer's fourth seed- on Thursday. For the Firestorm they are making their tenth overall trip to the final site of Kansas City, MO, and fourth straight appearance.

Final Site Details
Cumberlands (KY)- Thursday, March 20 at 1:00 pm (Central)/ 11:00 am (Pacific)
If win on Thursday- Grace (IN) v St. Mary-Woods (MO) winner- Saturday, March 22 at 1:00 pm
Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, MO
Tickets information- Click here
No pass list available

Complete tournament bracket
Complete tournament info

Live Coverage
Live Video - https://naianetwork.com/watch/224
Live Stats - https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/tournament.php?tid=1061

Arizona Christian
The Firestorm (28-4) are the top seed in the Cramer Quadrant after winning the Glendale site of the first and second rounds. ACU is currently riding a 14 game winning streak- the longest in program history. Arizona Christian ranks sixth in the NAIA with 50.9% shooting from the floor while connecting on 36.1% of their three point shooting. ACU ranks 12 in the NAIA allowing opponents just 66.4 points per game (59.5 points allowed during win streak).

In their return to Municipal Auditorium, their fourth straight year and sixth visit in the last seven years, Arizona Christian will hit the legendary floor with a 7-8 record inside the building. Overall in NAIA tournament play, ACU holds a 15-9 all-time record. Three years ago when they reached the semifinals is the furthest that the Firestorm have ever advanced. The Firestorm advanced to the quarterfinals in the 2023 tournament before bowing out in the Round of 16 in 2024.

Cumberlands (KY)
The Patriots (24-8) are the fourth seed in the Cramer Quadrant after winning the Williamsburg first and second round site. The Patriots have won seven of their last eight games headed to Kansas City. UC is third in the NAIA scoring 91.5 points a contest (top scoring team remaining in tourney).

UC is making appearance number 32 in the NAIA national tournament including 11 of the last 12 years (only missing in 2023). Overall, the Patriots own a 21-30 record in the NAIA National tournament. They were knocked out in the Round of 16 in 2024. Once in their national tournament history, they advanced to the semifinals.

Series
Arizona Christian and Cumberlands (KY) have never met in men's basketball.

Roll Storm.

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