William Penn to Face #3 Davenport (Mich.) in First Round of Nationals
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen are returning to the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championships and with the brackets released tonight, the navy and gold will need to prepare for one of the best teams in the nation.
The Championships will be held in Point Lookout, Mo., on the campus of College of the Ozarks, March 7-13, and William Penn (17-14) has been paired up against #3 overall seed Davenport (Mich.).
The teams will meet next Thursday, March 8 at 4 p.m. The full bracket can be found at http://www.naia.org//pdf8/829206.pdf?SPSID=647552&SPID=100395&DB_OEM_ID=27900
Game tickets are available by calling 417-335-NAIA (6242).
Davenport enters with a 29-4 record, having won Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles. The Statesmen, the #30 overall seed, earned their bid by being the runner-up in the Midwest Collegiate Conference regular season.
All of William Penn’s games at the national tournament will be broadcast on KBOE Radio and webstreamed on KBOE’s website at http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/kboe.portal#
The winner then faces the winner of the #14 Indiana-Southeast/#19 St. Mary (Kan.) contest on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
#30 overall seed William Penn–John Henry, in his 11th season, is leading the Statesmen to their third NAIA Nationals appearance and first since 2007-2008.
William Penn is led by first-team all-MCC performer Alan Douglas (Sr., Champaign, Ill., Lakeland CC), who is averaging 18.6 points and 8.6 rebounds. Fellow first-teamer Blake Walker (So., Rose Garden, Ga., Campbell HS), with 13.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, and honorable-mention pick Taylor Stoutner (Jr., Keota, Keota HS), with 15.0 points, are also major assets for the navy and gold.
The team has outscored opponents 88.0-82.6 and has outrebounded them 43.7-40.2. The Statesmen are shooting 44.2% overall, including a 35.3% clip from beyond the arc. William Penn is hitting 70.9% from the line. The squad leads NAIA Division II in offensive rebounds per game (16.1).
#3 overall seed Davenport–Burt Paddock, in his fourth season, has the Panthers back to nationals for the third year in a row. Davenport advanced to the Elite Eight last season.
The Panthers have won three in a row and nine of their last ten. The squad is led by first-team all-WHAC selection James Humphrey, who averages 12.1 points and 6.2 rebounds. JaVontae Ford (14.8 points) and James Nelson (team-best 16.0 points) were second-team picks, while Lonnie Fairfax (8.7 points, 6.0 assists) claimed third-team honors. Coach Paddock was named WHAC Coach of the Year.
Davenport has outscored its opponents 78.6-58.1 and also outrebounded them 39.1-31.8. The team is shooting 47.9% from the floor, including an NAIA-best 42.2% from beyond the arc. The Panthers are hitting 67.0% from the line. The team also leads NAIA Division II in scoring defense, three-point percentage allowed (28.1%), and field-goal percentage allowed (37.8%).
Additional Tournament Information
The Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills has been selected as William Penn’s host hotel. The NAIA encourages fans to stay at their team’s host hotel.
Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills
203 S. Wildwood Drive
Branson, MO 65616
Phone: 877-335-4727 or 417-335-4727
Other hotels include:
Grand Country Inn – 800-356-4336
Grand Oaks – 800-553-6423,
Grand Plaza Hotel – 800-850-6646
Outback Roadhouse Motel – 800-562-0622
Baymont Inn & Suites – 417-334-1985
Clarion Hotel at the Palace- 800-725-2236
The Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center – 800-677-6906
Hotel Grand Victorian – 800-324-8751
Quality Inn & Suites – 800-826-0368
For additional housing information, call Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-214-3661.
An Opening Banquet will be held at the Dixie Stampede on Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. for a price of $47.75 for adults and $25.66 for children. For tickets, call 800-520-5101.
Official photos can be purchased from Brian Beard and CIPhotography at http://www.naia.org//pdf8/829073.pdf?&DB_OEM_ID=27900
Other information, including video streaming by NeuLion, is also available at http://www.cofo.edu/naia/?DB_OEM_ID=27900
