KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has officially announced the 64-team field and pairings for the 2023 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship. The tournament will begin with the 2023 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship First & Second Rounds, presented by Ballogy, on March 7 at host sites throughout the country.

The Marian men's basketball team earned their sixth consecutive trip to the NAIA National Tournament, and will be the No. 9 seed in the Oskaloosa Region of the Cramer Quadrant. Marian's opponent will be the No. 8 seed Rio Grande, while the other side of the bracket will feature the host and No. 1 seed William Penn taking on No. 16 seed St. Xavier. 

THE GAME

Marian will enter the NAIA First and Second Rounds with a 21-9 overall record, having finished fourth in the Crossroads League. Marian is an at-large in the field, making their 10th overall appearnace in the NAIA Tournament. The Knights carry a 12-7 record in the NAIA National Tournament. The Knights opponent will be the No. 8 seed Rio Grande, who enters the NAIA Tournament as the winner of the River States Conference with a 24-6 record. Rio Grande is making their ninth overall NAIA Tournament appearance, and their first since 2021. 

The Knights already own a win over Rio Grande this season, having defeated the Red Storm on December 30 in southeast Ohio by a 67-63 score. Josh Bryan led the Knights with 20 points in the win, as Marian erased a halftime deficit and put up 43 second half points to take the win.

THE OTHER GAME

The host William Penn is the No. 1 seed on the other half of the bracket, and they will take on No. 16 seed St. Xavier. William Penn was the Heart of American Regular Season and Tournament Champion, and hold a 28-3 overall record as they make their 13th NAIA Tournament appearance. St. Xavier earned an at-large bid to the tournament, and will be making their first trip to the NAIA Tournament since 2016. St. Xavier is 5-13 all-time in the NAIA Tournament.

Marian defeated St. Xavier in their season opener 92-64 and is 2-1 all-time against the Cougars, while the Knights are 1-1 against William Penn having not played since 2011.

TICKETS

Tickets are on sale now for Marian's game against Rio Grande. Fans can purchase tickets here. William Penn is charging All-Tournament Passes, starting at $25 per pass. 

Marian will tip against William Penn at 5 PM on March 7 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Live video and live stat information will be released on MUKnights.com as it becomes available. 

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