The Fort Hays State men's basketball team faces Missouri Southern in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday (Mar. 7). Tipoff is set for 12 pm at Municipal Auditorium in Downtown Kansas City. Fort Hays State, the co-champion of the MIAA Regular Season, brings a record of 19-7 overall into the contest, while Missouri Southern enters at 13-14 overall.
After the most recent regional rankings were released on Wednesday, Fort Hays State looks as though it may need to win the MIAA Tournament to get into the NCAA Tournament. After holding the No. 8 position in the first set of rankings, then the No. 9 position last week, FHSU fell out this week, despite winning a conference regular season championship.
Fort Hays State plays the role of No. 1 seed for the first time ever at the MIAA Tournament, after getting the No. 2 seed in 2010 and 2011. Missouri Southern is the No. 9 seed and was the only visiting team to win an opening round game on Monday, defeating No. 8 seed Emporia State in Emporia by two points. Fort Hays State is looking for its second MIAA Tournament Title after winning the tournament in 2011, defeating a then No. 1 seeded Missouri Southern in the championship game. The schools met in the quarterfinals of the tournament last year with FHSU winning an overtime thriller 103-102.
Streaming video of the tournament is available this year. Click on the link in the game information above to watch the action live.
