By Piper Wright and Aaron Heller \/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the first time in Hood history, the Blazers men’s basketball team will be the host for the opening round of the Division III men’s basketball tournament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood (24-3) will meet Vassar College (20-8) at Woodsboro Bank Arena on Friday at 5:35 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeing in the tournament is extremely exciting,\u201d head coach Chad Dickman said. \u201cThe fact that we can play a home game in the tournament is just like the cherry on top.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The men’s basketball team gathered in The Volpe Athletic Center Hospitality Suite on Monday to witness the unveiling of the 2026 tournament bracket. They erupted in cheers when the bracket was announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vassar College, located in Poughkeepsie, New York, is led by guard Avery Lee, who averages 16.7 points per game, and guard Shea Fitzgerald, who averages 16.6 points per game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood was assured of an NCAA tournament spot after clinching the MAC Conference championship in a double overtime victory over York College on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood has previously competed in the NCAA tournament, but this is the first time the college has played host.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood now gets to work preparing for the big event, creating backdrops and game-day programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith a Division III school that we are, it takes a village to do so,\u201d Hood College sports information director Matthew Gelhard said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have the opportunity to show what Hood is, what Frederick is, we get to encapsulate that and have people from all over the country see what that\u2019s like,\u201d Gelhard said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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