Kennesaw State’s men’s basketball team has known for a week that it was going to the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever.
But that didn’t spoil any feelings of enthusiasm the Owls’ players, coaches and fans felt when they heard their name on Selection Sunday for the first time.
The Owls – champions of the Atlantic Sun Conference – were given a No. 14 seed and will face No. 3 Xavier in the first round on Friday in Greensboro, N.C. And when the folks packed inside the KSU Convocation Center saw their school’s name in yellow and black flash on the big screen, they erupted with joy.
The moment @KSUOwlNation found out they’d be playing Xavier this Friday in Greensboro.
The Owls are officially IN pic.twitter.com/MnC3QFiJDe
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) March 12, 2023
ROAD TRIP!!!! Kennesaw State is a 14 seed drawing 3 seed Xavier Friday in Greensboro, NC. #MarchMadness #bone #hootyhoo pic.twitter.com/FojnWIDzPu
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) March 12, 2023
Kennesaw State punched its ticket to the tournament by beating Liberty in the ASUN title game on March 5. The Owls are 26-8 this season, which is their best record since joining Division I in 2005.
The Owls are coached by Amir Abdur-Rahim, brother of former NBA player Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
Kennesaw State is regarded as the fastest team in NCAA history to go from a 1-win season to the NCAA Tournament!! ☝️@espn @ESPNStatsInfo @CBSSportsCBB @MarchMadnessMBB #BONE #HootyHoo 🦉🏀 pic.twitter.com/OLE14sBTXY
— Kennesaw State MBB (@KSUOWLSMBB) March 12, 2023
Ahead of the tournament, basketball fans should familiarize themselves with KSU guard Chris Youngblood, who averages 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
Should the Owls upset Xavier, they’ll play the winner of Iowa State and a First Four game between Pitt and Mississippi State.
Kennesaw isn’t that far from Atlanta, so if you’re rooting for them, do your best OutKast impression and give a Hootie Hoo shoutout.
