WALLA WALLA, Wash. - The season continues for the Whitman College men's basketball program. The team was selected to play in the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament and will host a first-round game, Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Sherwood Center. The Whits will welcome Chapman University out of Orange, Calif. The Panthers are champions of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (SCIAC) and finished the season with a 20-6 record.

When asked about what the bid means for the program, head coach Eric Bridgeland talked about the external support the team gets, "First and foremost, the reason we are here right now is because of President Bridges, President Murray and the W Club who have helped lay the foundation and give us the resources necessary to be in this conversation." Bridgeland continued, "Having the support of our Presidents and an unreal W Club, that has gone above and beyond to push all of our programs up and improve the experience for our student athletes, is amazing. Without them none of this is even happening."

Thursday will be Whitman's debut game in the NCAA Tournament, as the program has never before reached this pinnacle. The announcement brought an eruption of excitement from the team who watched the Selection Show live Monday morning. Bridgeland reflected on the adversity the team faced this year and what the at-large bid means. "To lose so many seniors for the season or a portion of the season and then to be in a position to receive an at-large bid, they definitely earned it. I'm so happy for the guys."

While Chapman is coming off a SCIAC championship, Whitman will look to rebound from last Thursday's Northwest Conference semifinal loss to Pacific Lutheran University. The team has bounced back from losses brilliantly all year and will hope to do so once again. Tickets for the game will go on sale Wednesday afternoon at 12 p.m. at the Baker Ferguson Fitness Center (BFFC). Prices are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors.