FHSU Athletics
INDIANAPOLIS – Fresh off a championship run in the MIAA Tournament, Fort Hays State Men's Basketball secured an automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship Tournament, announced Sunday by the NCAA. With a record of 22-9, the Tigers earned the No. 7 seed in the Central Region and will take on No. 2 seed MSU Moorhead in the regional quarterfinals at Lee Arena in Topeka, Kansas.
This marks Fort Hays State's 15th NCAA Central Regional appearance overall and back-to-back years the Tigers are in the big dance. Under 24th-year head coach Mark Johnson, FHSU has reached the NCAA Tournament nine times.
The Tigers enter the tournament battle-tested, having navigated a grueling MIAA slate before claiming the conference tournament title. Their nation-leading scoring defense has been the backbone of their success.
Fort Hays State is one of two teams from the MIAA to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament, joining nationally ranked and Central Region host Washburn. The Ichabods are the No. 1 seed in the Central Region, so the tournament will be held at Lee Arena in Topeka. The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference placed five teams in the field, while the Great American Conference secured just one with Harding getting the automatic qualifier.
More details on the regional, including game times, ticket information, and additional coverage, will be released as they become available.
2025 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship Central Region Tournament Quarterfinal Matchups
No. 1 Washburn vs. No. 8 Harding
No. 4 Minot State vs. No. 5 Concordia-St. Paul
No. 2 MSU Moorhead vs. No. 7 Fort Hays State
No. 3 Winona State vs. No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State