National Tournament Preview: LU Lions vs College of Idaho

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Langston University men's basketball team continues their quest for a NAIA National Championship today, March 25 at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. Here's a quick preview and rundown of information for Lions fans to answer the most frequently asked questions leading up to the game.

The Matchup:

The No. 1 seed Langston Lions (34-1) advanced to the NAIA Men's Basketball National Tournament Fab Four after defeating No. 2 seed Indiana Wesleyan 61-48 on March 23 in the NAIA National Tournament Quarterfinals. The Lions are set to square off against No. 1 seed College of Idaho (32-3) at 7 p.m. today, March 25, inside the historic Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

About the Yotes:

The defending NAIA National Champions College of Idaho Yotes enters the Fab Four matchup at 32-3 after knocking off No. 3 seed Morningside (Iowa) 73-56 on March 23 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. The Yotes are based out of Caldwell, Idaho and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament by winning the Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season title.

Offensively, College of Idaho boasts four players that are averaging double figures in points beginning with Samaje Morgan (14.3 ppg), Johnny Radford (12.2 ppg), Drew Wyman (11.5 ppg) and Jake O'Neil (10.1 ppg).

All four were named to the Cascade Collegiate All-Conference team with Morgan being selected as the conference player of the year.

The Yotes are coached by Colby Blaine who is in his ninth season at the helm. Blaine holds a career win-loss record of 170-27 leading College of Idaho.

About the Lions:

Langston (Okla.) enters the Fab Four matchup at 34-1 overall after defeating No. 2 seed Indiana Wesleyan on March 23 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. Langston qualified for the NAIA National Tournament by winning the Sooner Athletic Conference regular season title for the second straight year under head coach Chris Wright. The Lions are making their first appearance in the NAIA Fab Four in program history.

Offensively, Langston boasts three players averaging double figures in Anthony Roy (18.7 ppg), Cortez Mosley (12.9 ppg) and D'Monte Brown (10.0 ppg).

Roy was named the 2024 SAC Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and All-SAC First Team. Mosley earned the 2024 SAC Defensive Player of the Year distinction and was named All-SAC Second Team. Toru Dean was named All-SAC First Team, Brown was named All-SAC Third Team and Ronald Mitchell was selected All-SAC Honorable Mention.

The Lions are led by Chris Wright who is in his second year as head coach. Wright, in his two years at the helm, holds a 65-4 mark at Langston University and a career win-loss record of 276-107.

Q: What time is the game?

The No. 1 seed Langston Lions (34-1) tip-off tonight, March 25 at 7 pm CT against No. 1 seed College of Idaho in the NAIA Fab Four.

This will be Langston's eighth appearance in the NAIA National Tournament and first Fab Four appearance under head coach Chris Wright. Langston holds a historic record of 9-7 in national tournament play.

Q: Where is the NAIA National Tournament being held?

The 86th annual NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship takes place in Kansas City, Mo. at the historic Municipal Auditorium.

Tickets for the men's tournament are $25 per day for adults, NAIA students with NAIA student ID are $12 per day (available at box office only), high school students with student ID are $10 per day (available at box office only), student (ages 5-12) are $6 per day and kids (ages 4 and under) are free.

Tickets are available at the Municipal Auditorium Box Office or at Ticketmaster.com. For additional ticketing information click here.

Q: I will not be able to attend the game, how can I stay updated?

The first 14 games of the national championship tournament will be video-streamed live on the NAIA Youtube's channel at www.youtube.com/PlayNAIA for free.

Live statistics are available at the link here and as always follow us on X (@langstonsports), Instagram (@langstonsports) and Facebook (@langstonsports) for the latest updates.

For additional information including the complete bracket, click here.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Toru Dean: G; 6' 0"; Senior

#4 D'Monte Brown: G; 6' 4"; Senior

#15 Cortez Mosley: G/F; 6' 5"; Senior

#0 Ronald Mitchell: G; 6' 3"; Senior

#2 Anthony Roy: G; 6' 5"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#3 Toru Dean
: 6' 0"; Senior
: G

#4 D'Monte Brown
: 6' 4"; Senior
: G

#15 Cortez Mosley
: 6' 5"; Senior
: G/F

#0 Ronald Mitchell
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G

#2 Anthony Roy
: 6' 5"; Junior
: G

Main Header

National Tournament Preview: LU Lions vs College of Idaho

Players Mentioned

#3 Toru Dean

#4 D'Monte Brown

#15 Cortez Mosley

#0 Ronald Mitchell

#2 Anthony Roy

Players Mentioned

#3 Toru Dean

#4 D'Monte Brown

#15 Cortez Mosley

#0 Ronald Mitchell

#2 Anthony Roy

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