Following a 2016 national champion title, the St. Thomas men’s basketball team received the final at-large bid admitting them into the Division III NCAA tournament. This is the twelfth straight year the Tommies have qualified for the tournament.

The Tommies (19-7 overall) will face Augustana (19-8 overall) this Friday at Kachel Gymnasium in Whitewater, Wisconsin in the first round of the tournament.

“We’re thrilled to get to play in the national tournament,” St. Thomas head coach John Tauer said. “We knew with our record and our strength of schedule that we certainly had a decent chance, but we were also on the bubble and while that’s a precarious situation, we’ve worked so hard all year and to have another chance is very exciting.”

The Tommies were squarely on the bubble after Thursday’s loss to St. John’s in the MIAC playoff semifinals.

“There were some anxious moments this weekend watching scores around the country,” Tauer said. “I think it highlights the importance of being good consistently so you’re in a position to get tournament bids.”

Now that they are in the tournament, Tauer feels the team needs to look forward and not back while they cherish their time together.

“We have to get back to work and we are thrilled to be together for another week.”

Next up for the Tommies is Augustana, who St. Thomas is familiar with, having played them in the NCAA tournament in 2011, 2013 and 2016.

“Augustana is one of the most storied and renowned programs in the country,” Tauer said. “They are very talented and exceptionally well-coached.”

The winner of Friday’s game will play the winner of Northwestern-St. Paul and Wisconsin-Whitewater later in the weekend.

Start times are to be determined.

Taylor Smith can be reached at smit9660@stthomas.edu.