25-03-2025
What one might not know about the 2025 Division II Elite Eight teams
EVANSVILLE, Ind (WEHT) – The Ford Center will play host of the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Elite Eight once again, but the remaining eight looks very different compared to last year.
So, who are the eight teams that will look to keep their tournament runs alive? Before tipoff Tuesday afternoon, here is some information about each team vying to advance to the Final Four and possibly the championship.
Nova Southeastern (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) – Enrollment: 6,971
Nickname – Sharks
Head Coach – Jim Crutchfield (6th season)
This year will be the Shark's second Elite Eight appearance, making it to this point in back-to-back seasons.
Some famous alumni include actor Seth Gabel, former baseball player Carlos Asuaje and retired military officer Michelle Fraley.
West Liberty (West Liberty, West Virginia) – Enrollment: 1,964
Nickname – Hilltoppers
Head Coach – Ben Howlett (8th season)
This year marks the eighth time in the last 15 years the Hilltoppers are one of the final eight.
Some famous alumni include broadcaster Chris Booker, pastor and writer Chip Ingram and producer and comic book writer David Campiti.
Dallas Baptist (Dallas, Texas) – Enrollment: 3,361
Nickname – Patriots
Head Coach – Blake Flickner (19th season)
2025 will mark the first time the Patriots have made the Elite Eight in program history.
Famous alumni include former professional baseball players Brandon Harper and Vic Black along with businessman and Kansas City Mavericks hockey team owner Lamar Hunt Jr.
Washburn (Topeka, Kansas) – Enrollment: 3,732
Nickname – Ichabods
Head Coach – Brett Ballard (8th season)
2025 will be the Ichabods first Elite Eight appearance in over 20 years, last making it in 2001.
Famous alumni include former U.S. Senator and one-time presidential candidate Bob Dole, science fiction writer Larry Niven and professional golfer Gary Woodland.
Lenoir-Rhyne (Hickory, North Carolina) – Enrollment: 2,038
Nickname – Bears
Head Coach – Brent Owen (1st season)
The Bears are making their first appearance in the Elite Eight in program history, knocking off UNC Pembroke 76-74 in overtime.
Famous alumni include comedian, writer and podcaster Tom Segura, University of Tennessee men's head basketball coach Rick Barnes and football player Kyle Dugger.
Lake Superior State (Sault S Marie, Michigan) – Enrollment: 1,384
Nickname – Lakers
Head Coach – Steve Hettinga (18th season)
The Lakers are playing their first Elite Eight game in program history.
Lake Superior State has its fair share of former hockey alumni including Doug Weight, Steven Olesky, Brian Rolston and Jim Dowd. Politician Pete Stauber also graduated from the university with a criminology degree.
Cal State Dominguez Hills (Carson, California) – Enrollment: 13,120
Nickname – Toros
Head Coach – Steve Becker (12th season)
The Toros are also making their first appearance in the Elite Eight after beating Point Loma.
Famous alumni include Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, baseball player Kevin Pillar and actor Clarence Gilyard.
Assumption (Worcester, Massachusetts) – Enrollment: 2,140
Nickname – Greyhounds
Head Coach – Scott Faucher (6th season)
The Greyhounds are returning to the Elite Eight for the first time in 50 years.
Famous alumni include retired U.S. Army major general Robert Catalanotti, LSU head football coach Brian Kelly and Rhode Island governor Dan McKee.
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