HBCU Basketball: A Legacy of Excellence and March Madness Dreams
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a rich tradition in basketball, marked by remarkable talent, unwavering community support, and a commitment to excellence both on and off the court. From the early days of the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) to the modern era of NCAA Division I competition, HBCUs have consistently produced exceptional players and teams that have left an indelible mark on the sport. In March 2025, several HBCU programs are once again taking center stage, competing in the NCAA Tournament, Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament (WBIT), and Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT), showcasing the continued growth and competitiveness of HBCU basketball.
A Storied Past: The CIAA Tournament
Before "March Madness" became a national phenomenon, HBCU basketball thrived within the CIAA. In the years following World War II, as Black veterans returned home, the CIAA became a hotbed of basketball talent. The inaugural CIAA Tournament in March 1946, held at Howard University in Washington, D.C., was a cultural event that drew significant attention.
The tournament wasn't merely a sporting event; it was a cultural collision. As described by writer Lem Graves Jr., the CIAA tournament ran alongside Virginia’s major high school postseason events, forcing coaches, scouts, and fans to choose where to spend their time. Graves also highlighted the importance of structure and fairness, noting that the 16-team conference only had eight tournament slots.
John McLendon led North Carolina College (now NC Central) to the inaugural CIAA Tournament title, defeating Virginia Union in a triple-overtime classic. This victory not only marked the beginning of a bracket but also established the CIAA Tournament as a significant event in the Black community. The tournament brought schools to a major Black cultural hub, created a championship experience, and sparked debates about scheduling, access, and fairness.
For the next two decades, the CIAA showcased some of the best Black basketball players in the eastern United States, solidifying its legacy as a cornerstone of HBCU basketball.
Read also: Explore Lincoln University's legacy
HBCUs in March Madness
HBCUs have historically been seeded towards the bottom of the NCAA Tournament bracket. The best seed an HBCU has received entering the Round of 64 was No. 13, held by Southern in 1993, who won their first round game with a 93-78 win over No. 4 Georgia Tech.
North Carolina A&T and Southern broke NCAA tournament ground when they made the first appearance by an HBCU in the DI men's basketball tournament's round of 64 in 1985, the first year of the expanded bracket. Texas Southern has the most round of 64 appearances of any HBCU men's basketball program, but has yet to win a game. The Tigers last appeared in the round of 64 in 2022. The only HBCUs to win a round of 64 game are Southern, Coppin State, Hampton and Norfolk State. Alcorn State does have a first-round win, but that came in 1980 when there were only 32 teams in the bracket.
2025 NCAA Tournament Teams
Several HBCU programs have earned bids to the 2025 NCAA Tournament, representing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
Norfolk State Spartans
Both the men's and women's teams from Norfolk State University have qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
Women's Team
For the third consecutive year, the Norfolk State Lady Spartans are heading to the NCAA Tournament after dominating the MEAC regular season and tournament. Coached by three-time MEAC Coach of the Year Larry Vickers, the Lady Spartans led the conference in both scoring and defense.
Read also: HBCU Swingman Classic: Tickets and Prices
The team is led by graduate point guard Diamond Johnson, who earned MEAC Player of the Year and All-Defensive Team honors, averaging approximately 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals per game. Senior forward Kierra Wheeler was also a First-Team All-MEAC and All-Defensive Team selection, while sophomore guard Anjanae Richardson earned Third-Team All-MEAC and Sixth Player of the Year honors.
The Lady Spartans faced an experienced Maryland squad in the first round, who just earned their 15th straight NCAA Tournament bid, and who will be hosting the first two rounds.
Men's Team
The Norfolk State men’s basketball team has been maintaining the standard of excellence set by the Norfolk State women’s, and are also headed to the NCAA Tournament. After suffering an upset last season in the conference tournament at the hands of Howard, they bounced back this year and swept the MEAC regular season and MEAC Tournament. Brian Moore Jr., a guard from Harlem and transfer from Murray State, earned First-Team All-MEAC and Newcomer of the Year honors. Christian Ings earned Third-Team All-MEAC honors, and senior Kuluel Mading earned All-Defensive Team honors.
They faced the 1-seed Florida Gators in the first round. Norfolk State men’s basketball pulled off the huge upset of 2-seed Missouri in the 2012 NCAA Tournament.
Southern University Jaguars
Women's Team
The Southern University Lady Jaguars, under the guidance of SWAC Coach of the Year Carlos Funchess, are returning to the NCAA Tournament after winning the SWAC championship. Led by senior guard Aniya Gourdine, an All-SWAC Second-Team selection, the Lady Jaguars are aiming for their first-ever Tournament victory.
Read also: Top HBCU Bands
Southern faced UC San Diego in the First Four, with the winner advancing to face another formidable opponent.
Alabama State Hornets
Men's Team
The Alabama State men’s team is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011. The Hornets, led by First-Team All-SWAC selection Amarr Knox, are one of the hottest teams in the country, having won 10 of their last 11 games en route to a SWAC championship.
Alabama State faced Saint Francis (PA) in the First Four, with the winner moving on to face a top seed.
Beyond the Court: Supporting HBCUs
HBCUs play a vital role in supporting a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff, serving as bridges between culture, community, and economic opportunity. They connect campuses with corporations, civic leaders, and neighborhoods, creating pathways for collaboration and shared growth.
Organizations like Hope Credit Union (HOPE) work alongside HBCUs to provide financing and community development resources that advance student success, workforce readiness, campus revitalization, and small-business growth. HOPE strengthens not only the institution but also the surrounding community, enabling equitable development, generational wealth-building, and long-term regional resilience.
Opportunities and Events
The HBCU Athletic Conference continues to grow and thrive through shared mission and commitment. The CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) tournament includes five days of events. The annual affair has become an established custom in the city. The event introduces high school students to its 12 HBCU institutions and equips them with best practices for college and career readiness. Over 3,500 students will have a chance to explore the institutions, present their high school transcripts for scholarship consideration, and receive on-the-spot college acceptance.
The CIAA will host a Health and Mental Wellness Summit to address medical disparities in the Black community. Also, the gathering will feature some high-profile speakers, including Eunique Jones Gibson, the founder of Because of Them We Can, at a Tech Summit. Luke Lawal, creator of the HBCU Buzz platform, is co-hosting the Money Moves Financial Summit.
Under Armour directly invests in CIAA student-athletes through programs like Project Rampart and the HBCU Career Combine, building pathways that connect students to mentorship, scholarships, internships, and early-career exposure. The CIAA tournament drove more than $27 million in total economic impact and brought more than $15 million in direct spending to Baltimore.
The Inaugural Cheer & Dance Showcase was held in 2025 and brought all the excitement and thrill that we know HBCUs to embody.
tags: #HBCU #March #Madness #tournament
