Northwest Missouri State begins their run at the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Elite Eight this afternoon. The Bearcats (35-0) take on Mercyhurst (26-7) at 2:30pm in Evansville, Indiana.

Atlantic alum Ryan Hawkins has been a key member of the Bearcats success this season and was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Year. Hawkins led the way in the Bearcats Regional Final win over Missouri Southern State with 28 points and 9 rebounds.

Northwest Missouri State is three games away from becoming just the fifth undefeated national champion in the history of Division II men’s hoops.

The other Elite Eight games on the schedule today include:

No. 4 Nova Southeastern vs. No. 5 St. Anselm at 12:00pm
No. 1 Northwest Missouri State vs. No. 8 Mercyhurst 2:30pm
No. 2 West Texas A&M vs. No. 7 Southern Indiana 6:00pm
No. 3 Queens (NC) vs. No. 6. Point Loma 8:30pm

All the games today will be streamed through ncaa.com