March 18, 2023: Semifinal Saturday
We have arrived! Just four teams remain in a season that began with 400+ and all four have their eye on Dallas, and a spot in the national championship game on April 1. It will be a big day of D3 hoops no doubt, and I look forward to watching the action unfold. As I said Thursday morning, I don’t see a clear favorite in either of these matchups, and especially not in the second one between Smith and Transylvania.
I went through all four teams and pulled out some notable facts as we look towards the semifinal contests tonight.
For CNU:
Current 30-game win streak is tied for 2nd longest in program history. CNU has never tallied more than 30 victories in a single season.
CNU has never reached the championship game, despite having made two Final Four appearances previously, in 2010-11, and 2016-17.
With a win tonight, the Captains would join their men’s team in the national title game, thus completing a very rare double with one school’s men’s and women’s teams both in the championship. It would mark the first time since 2009 (WashU) that it has happened.
For RIC:
First Final Four appearance in program history
With a win, would secure a spot in the national championship game for a Region 1/Region 2 team for the 5th straight tournament.
Victory would extend win streak to 10 games
For Smith:
Carries 24-game win streak into semifinal matchup
First 30-win season in program history
Aiming at first national championship appearance in program history
For Transylvania:
Trying to make first national championship game in program history
One of just two undefeated teams left in the nation (31-0)
Transy has won its last 12 neutral site games dating back to last season
Follow all the action via D3hoops.com! Gordon Mann is on site in Hartford, and will do a great job of coverage of both contests. I’m here in Fort Wayne at the men’s national title game, but will be following along throughout the evening.