Worcester, MA --- For the third consecutive year, the WPI men's basketball team has earned a coveted at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Championships and will host the first and second rounds of the tournament. The selection marks WPI's fifth straight appearance in the Tournament overall.

The Engineers, now 20-5 on the season following a semifinal loss to Springfield in the NEWMAC Tournament, will host three games in the NCAA Tournament at Harrington Auditorium beginning Friday evening at 6pm. The 2008-09 campaigh marks the sixth straight 20-win campaign for WPI, in addition to winning their sixth consecutive NEWMAC regular season title.

WPI's senior class also set a new conference record for total victories and winning percentage in their career, as the Engineers have now posted a spectacular 42-6 mark (.875) in league play over the last four seasons.

WPI will host a four-team pod in the first and second rounds, with the winner moving on to the sectionals beginning March 13th. Baruch (New York, NY), UMass Dartmouth (North Dartmouth, MA) and Husson (Bangor, ME) will also be competing for the right to head to the sectionals this weekend.

Husson (16-11), winners of the North Atlantic Conference Tournament will face WPI (20-5) in the opener at 6pm.  The other game will feature UMass Dartmouth (25-3), winners of the Little East Conference Tournament, and take on Baruch (23-5), who made the field via an at-large Pool C selection.  Tip-off is slated for 8pm. 

The winners will face off on Saturday for the right to move on to the sectionals.

Middlebury (24-3), Ithaca (24-2), Texas-Dallas (24-4) and Puget Sound (24-3) each received a bye to the tournament's second round.

For more information on the tournament, visit NCAA Sports or D3hoops.com.

Friday, March 6th
6pm - Husson vs WPI
8pm - Baruch vs UMass Dartmouth

Saturday, March 7th
7pm - Friday's winners

Full Bracket