JCU will host first-round NCAA games

The John Carroll men’s basketball team knew it was in the NCAA Division III Tournament before the 64-team field was unveiled Feb. 26.

The only questions were against whom and where. The Blue Streaks were a happy bunch when they gathered on campus to watch the selection show, and especially during it.

JCU (23-5) will be staying home for its opening NCAA tournament game March 2, and play Thomas More (23-5), the champions of the Presidents Athletic Conference. If they win that game, the Blue Streaks will play host March 3 in a game for a spot in the Sweet 16 against the winner of WoosterIllinois Wesleyan. Start times for the March 2 games will be announced later.

“We knew we put ourselves in a great position, and had a good feeling we would host, but we weren’t sure,” said JCU senior and NDCL graduate John Cirillo, who’s averaging 11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds.

“It’s great to host, and awesome to play in front of our fans again. This has been an unbelievable year. Not traveling is huge for us.”

Coach Pete Moran’s team will enter the NCAA Tournament riding a wave of momentum. In winning three straight in the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament, JCU outscored Heidelberg, Baldwin Wallace and Ohio Northern by an average score of 91-71. It also won the OAC regular-season title with a 14-4 mark.

As a conference champion, JCU was one of 43 NCAA automatic qualifiers.

Moran is in his first year as the Blue Streaks’ head coach, and having played at JCU and coached under his father Mike at the school, he’s followed the basketball program for years.

Seeing his team on an NCAA bracket for the first time while the leader of the JCU program was quite the experience for Moran.

“It’s everything,” he said. “That’s what you play for. I think our resume spoke for itself. These guys have earned the right to host.”

The Blue Streaks will enter the NCAA tournament with plenty of fire power. Five players are averaging double figures in scoring, including leading scorer Matt Csuhran (17.3 points). Defensively, though, is where JCU has really made strides.

“When we bring the defense, it brings a lot of energy to what we do,” said Cirillo. “We realize if we get stops, it’s easier with our fast tempo to get out and get our offense going.”