The wait was worth it. After a production delay by the NCAA website, and watching the first half of the bracket revealed, the players on the Eastern University men's basketball team learned that their historic season would continue. By the strength of its resume, Eastern earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Eagles will take on the University of Rochester Yellow Jackets at Marietta College on Friday evening.

The host Pioneers will host the Medaille College Mavericks in the pod's other game.  

This is the first trip to the NCAA Tournament for the Eastern program. Eastern joined the NCAA in 1992. With 21 wins so far, this year's team has the most wins by any Eastern Men's Basketball team since the 1987-88 Men's Basketball Team  went 30-6. 

The Yellow Jackets (17-8) also earned an at-large bid. They finished 8-6 in the very competitive University Athletic Association. Rochester is receiving votes in the latest D3Hoops.com poll. Marietta won the Ohio Athletic Conference and is ranked second in that same poll. 

"This is a great opportunity for our guys," Head Coach Dan Pruessner said after learning of his team's selection. "We will need to study up on Rochester and be prepared. I am sure they will prepare for us as well. Our guys will embrace the challenge and be ready to compete."

Game times, game coverage,  and ticket information will be posted here as it becomes available.

Click Here to see the full bracket