Colgate makes 1st postseason tourney in 22 years

The Colgate men’s basketball team has accepted a bid to the College Basketball Invitational and will open action in the national postseason tournament Wednesday when the Raiders travel to the University of San Francisco.

Tipoff of Wednesday night’s game is slated for 7 p. m. PT/ 10 p. m. ET at San Francisco’s War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.

“We are ecstatic to secure the CBI invitation and continue our season,” said 2018 Patriot League Coach of the Year Matt Langel. “I am thrilled for our seniors to be able to put their uniforms on for at least another day. Our returning studentathletes get another opportunity in a tournament environment to gain experience, which can only help our growth for future years. Playing in the postseason is a big step for our program and we are excited for what the future can hold.”

Colgate is making its first national postseason tournament appearance since the Raiders earned back- toback NCAA Tournament bids in 1995 and 1996. This will be the Raiders’ first CBI appearance.

The postseason bid continues Colgate’s already historic season. The Raiders set a program record with 19 wins this season and carry a 19- 13 overall record into Wednesday’s opening round action. Colgate made its first Patriot League Championship game appearance in 10 years and has secured its first overall winning record since 2007- 08.

San Francisco carries an 18- 15 overall record into Wednesday’s matchup. The Dons earned the No. 4 seed in the West Coast Conference Tournament with a 9- 9 conference mark. San Francisco took down fifth- seeded Pacific in the WCC Tournament quarterfinals before falling to top- seeded Gonzaga in the semifinals.

The CBI is a single- elimination tournament up until the best- of- three finals, and all games are played at campus sites. After the opening round games on March 13- 14, the quarterfinal round will follow on March 19 and the semifinals will take place on March 21. The best- of- three finals are set for March 26, March 28 and March 30 ( if necessary). The finals will be nationally televised on ESPNU.

Other opening round matchups include: Eastern Washington at Utah Valley, North Texas at South Dakota, Mercer at Grand Canyon, Miami ( Ohio) at Campbell, UTRGV at New Orleans, Central Arkansas at Seattle, and Jacksonville State at Canisius.