HBCU Programs Winning in NCAA Tournament

Two HBCU schools, Texas Southern and Norfolk State Universities won in the First Four games in the NCAA basketball tournament.

Kyle T. Mosley | Mar 19, 2021

HBCU Programs Winning in NCAA Tournament /

(Houston, TX) The NCAA Basketball Tournament and March Madness began on Thursday with the First Four. Major basketball programs navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic are still favorites to win the tournament. However, two HBCU schools, Texas Southern and Norfolk State Universities broke brackets with upset splashes in the basketball tourney.

Mar 18, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Texas Southern Tigers head coach Johnny Jones looks on during the second half against the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers in the First Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The Texas Southern Tigers won 60-52. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The SWAC and MEAC advanced to the main NCAA bracket of 64 teams. Both teams played Mountaineers, and both teams made HBCU fans proud.

Texas Southern had a passionate rally against Mount St. Mary's to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit and won 60-52. TSU outplayed the Mountaineers 40-22 in the second half. Credit solid rebounding and defensive performance for the Tigers' win.

Mar 18, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Norfolk State Spartans guard Daryl Anderson (13) celebrates their win over the Appalachian State Mountaineers in the First Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The Norfolk State Spartans won 54-53. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Norfolk fended-off a 33-18 second-half comeback attempt on Appalachian State to gain the 54-53 victory. Spartans guard Devante Carter scored two free throws in the final 10 seconds of the contest. The buckets gave the Spartans the lead and sealed the victory over the Mountaineers.

Mar 18, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Texas Southern Tigers guard Michael Weathers (20) shoos over Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers forward Frantisek Barton (24) during the first half in the First Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The No. 16 seeded SWAC Tournament champions will face the No. 1 seeded University of Michigan team on Saturday, March 20 at 2 PM CT on CBS. Texas Southern (17-8) versus Michigan (20-4) will take place at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, IN.

The Spartans (17-7) will battle the #1 seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-0) on Saturday, March 20 at 8:20 PM CT on TBS. Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis will host the game between Norfolk State and Gonzaga. The betting point spread is 33.5 in favor of Gonzaga. Michigan is a 25.5 point favorite.

Kyle T. Mosley — Managing Editor/Reporter

Published Mar 19, 2021

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: