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Vincennes University

Trailblazers Set for NJCAA National Championship Run

Trailblazers Set for NJCAA National Championship Run
March 23, 2026

VINCENNES, Ind. — The Vincennes University Men's Basketball team will open play in the NJCAA Division I National Championship this week, earning the No. 6 seed in the 24-team national field and a first-round bye after a dominant 31–2 season. The Trailblazers will face No. 11 seed Northwest Florida State College in the second round on Tuesday, March 24 at 9 p.m. ET at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas, the neutral-site host of the entire tournament. Northwest Florida State advanced into the matchup with an 83–75 first-round victory over No. 22 Bishop State Community College on Sunday, setting up a meeting between two nationally competitive programs.

Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin, in his 16th season leading the program, said the opportunity to compete in Hutchinson represents both the challenge and the expectation that comes with sustained success. "We've got our opponent now, and it's time to start our national tournament run — hopefully a long one," Franklin said. "It's a short window, and a lot can happen in a few days, but this group has been one of the most consistent teams in the country all year at 31–2. They've answered the challenge almost every time out."

The Trailblazers enter the tournament on a strong postseason run, capturing both the Region 24 Regular Season Championship and the Region 24 / Central District Tournament title. VU opened tournament play with a 94–80 win over Lake Land College, rallying in the second half to advance, then followed with an 81–72 semifinal victory over Lincoln Trail College, controlling the game behind defensive pressure and rebounding. The championship game delivered a dramatic finish, as VU edged John A. Logan College 71–70, holding off a final possession to secure the district title and automatic national tournament berth.

Franklin noted that navigating that stretch required resilience, particularly against high-level competition late in the season. "This group has carried the banner all year," Franklin said. "We went through some stretches where we had to adjust and find better rhythm, but that's part of a season. What matters is how you respond, and I thought we did that down the stretch and in the tournament."

VU has been fueled all season by a balanced and experienced core. Redshirt freshman guard Drae Vasser leads the team at 17.8 points and 5.9 assists per game, while sophomore guard Dayton Williams adds 16.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Jalen Calloway contributes 14.5 points per game, forming a veteran backcourt that has consistently driven the Trailblazers on both ends of the floor.

Franklin emphasized that the leadership and production of that group will be critical in Hutchinson. "The big three — Vasser, Williams, and Calloway — have led us all year," Franklin said. "They've been consistent, they've improved, and they've stepped up in big moments. But for us to make a deep run, it's going to take everybody."

That includes continued contributions from the frontcourt, where freshmen Lorenzo Malagnini, Michael Ephraim, and Jevon Guess have shown growth throughout the season. "We're going to need our inside guys to step up," Franklin said. "They don't have to do anything outside of what they're capable of, but rebounding, defending, and finishing plays will be key. When you get to this level, the margins are small."

The national tournament presents one of the most challenging formats in college basketball, requiring teams to win multiple games in a short span against elite competition. "When you get to this point, every game is at a Final Four level," Franklin said. "We believe we can beat anybody if we play well, but we also understand how difficult it is. That's what makes this event special."

With a win over Northwest Florida State, VU would advance to the quarterfinal round on March 25 at 9 p.m. ET, where the Trailblazers would face the winner of No. 3 Indian Hills Community College and No. 14 Gulf Coast State College.

All games of the NJCAA National Championship will be broadcast live on ESPN+, and also carried locally on Blazer 91.1 WVUB, with "The Voice of the Trailblazers" Dave Hunter on the call for his 44th and final season. The VU campus will also host free nightly watch parties in the Jefferson Student Union, providing students, faculty, staff, and community fans an opportunity to gather and support the Trailblazers throughout their national tournament run.

Franklin said the mindset heading into the tournament remains clear. "We're coming out here to win it," Franklin said. "We know what it takes, and we believe we have a team capable of doing it. Now it's about going out and proving it."

To view the full NJCAA Men's Basketball National Championship bracket, click here. 

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