Kankakee Times

For the first time in Olivet's history, the opening round of men's basketball is hosted at the University.

This story was originally published by ONU Athletics at onutigers.com on Feb. 24, 2022.

For four NAIA men's basketball teams, the road to Kansas City will go through Bourbonnais, Illinois. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has designated Olivet Nazarene University as a host site for the 2022 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Opening Rounds, as the league announced on Thursday afternoon.  This is the first time in school history that ONU will host any part of the Men's Basketball National Championship. 

"This is an exciting time for Olivet Nazarene University, Tiger athletics and our Men's Basketball program," said Director of Athletics Mike Conway. "McHie Arena is one of the premiere venues in the region as well as the NAIA and having the opportunity to showcase our campus and community by hosting a National Championship event at ONU is exciting."

Along with the Tigers Men's Basketball team, ONU will host three visiting schools for first round play on Friday, March 11. The two Friday winners will return on Saturday, March 12 and contend for the right to go to the final site in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.  All three games will be played on Ralph 'Tres' Hodge Court at McHie Arena. 

For the first time in its storied history, the NAIA Men's Basketball Championship will consist of 64 teams. All 64 teams will be assigned to one of 16 different opening round sites.  Only one team will survive each opening round site and advance to Kansas City to play out the remainder of the bracket in historic Municipal Auditorium.

Follow the Opening Round hosted by ONU at www.onutigers.com and view all championship coverage at www.naia.org.