Men’s Basketball Accepts Bid to CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament

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MACON – Mercer Athletics Director Jim Cole announced Tuesday that the men’s basketball team is set to host a first round game of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament after accepting a bid extended by the organization’s selection committee. Mercer’s opening game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip at the University Center on March 13.

Tickets are set to go on sale Wednesday morning at a base price of $10 per seat.

“We’re extremely excited to be playing March basketball here at the University Center,” Cole said. “It’s a testament to the strength of our program and support from the middle-Georgia community that we’ve earned the right to host a first round game.”

Mercer’s opponent will be Tennessee State Univerisity. Mercer is still eligible for consideration in both aforementioned tournaments, and can exercise an escape clause in the event that the team is offered a spot in either bracket.

Mercer’s impressive 22-11 record drew attention from the selection committee after the Bears were eliminated from the Atlantic Sun Tournament in the semifinal round. Mercer’s entry in the CIT marks the team’s first postseason game since the 1984-85 edition of the Bears won the A-Sun tournament and went on to represent the league in the NCAA Championship.  That year, Mercer fell to Georgia Tech 65-58 in the NCAA Regional in Atlanta.

The CIT was established in 2009 and is a single-elimination tournament comprised of a 24-team field. All six rounds of the event are played at on-campus sites, determined by seeding.