CIAA basketball delivered a pair of thrilling tournaments

WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY

Winston-Salem State women's basketball team react to their seeding during the NCAA tournament watch party on March 8 in Winston-Salem. The Rams will play Glenville State (W.Va.) in the opening round.

What a CIAA tournament.

It hadn’t been this exciting since its early years in Charlotte. Yes, the favorites won but the drama that got them there was well worth the price of admission, or paying to watch on ESPN+.

Our College Corner wrote that the “Must See TV” championship matchups were Fayetteville State vs. Winston-Salem State on the women’s side, and Bluefield State vs. Fayetteville State on the men’s. And they delivered.

The Rams (26-3) were the story of the tournament. Some of us – OK, just me – thought maybe the pressure of having never won a tournament title and the hype of being the No. 1 seed would overwhelm the ladies.

The longer WSSU stayed in the tourney the hotter the fire.

Instead, there never was any doubt.

The Rams defeated their three opponents by an average of 25 points, including a 17-point blowout over the Broncos in the final.

WSSU won its first championship under a first-year head coach who caused as much sensation for looking gorgeous as she did for coaching. (Hey, when you’ve got it, you’ve got it.)

The Rams got a parade, an Instagram congratulatory message from the mayor and a major shoutout from alumnus Steven A. Smith on “First Take.” Love him or hate him, it’s the best free recruiting tool money doesn’t have to buy.

It was satisfying to see the hype around the women because, let’s face it, they still have to fight to earn respect.

For example, the women’s championship game was livestreamed on ESPN+, while the men’s was broadcast live on ESPNU.  The “U” may have fewer viewers than ESPN and ESPN2, but more than ESPN+.

The road begins again. The Rams and Broncos are ranked No. 3 and No. 5, respectively, and assured of a postseason spot. Will WSSU be content with just winning the CIAA, as so many teams have done in the past? Or will the Rams see what Shaw’s women saw in 2012 – that a national championship is not out of reach.

You look familiar

Bowie State men’s basketball coach Darrell Brooks announced his retirement after the season, and with the heartbreaking loss of vice president of athletics Clyde Doughty Jr., the Bulldogs were a sentimental favorite in the tourney.

But we all knew it had to come down to Fayetteville vs. Bluefield, didn’t we? How could it not.

Last year, FSU coach Devin Hoehn was at BSU, and BSU coach Lou D’Alessio was at FSU. Then, several players and coaches on both sides switched with their coach. How much better could it get?

A championship game that went down to the final seconds and solidified a newfound rivalry for the future.

And just like the women’s side, the CIAA will get two teams in the postseason: the Broncos at No. 4 and Virginia Union, which dropped to No. 7 after losing two straight games to close the season – to rival Virginia State on the road and a determined Johnson C. Smith in the tournament.

The conference still has the best two representatives to try to end its drought in the Atlantic Regional.

Bonitta Best is sports editor at The Triangle Tribune in Durham.

Comments