SAN DIEGO — A Historic Achievement for UC San Diego
UC San Diego’s ascent to success at the Division I level has been meteoric for both their men’s and women’s basketball teams.
In an unprecedented move, UC San Diego has made NCAA history by becoming the first institution to qualify both its men’s and women’s basketball teams for the Division I NCAA Tournament during their inaugural year of postseason eligibility.
The Tritons previously endured a four-year waiting period for postseason eligibility as part of the NCAA’s transition regulations moving from Division II to Division I.
After making the transition in 2020 and joining the Big West Conference, both teams secured their spots in the NCAA Tournament by triumphing in their respective conference tournament championships this past Saturday.
There’s a palpable sense of enthusiasm emanating from Athletic Director Earl Edwards. He was appointed in 2020 during the school’s transition from Division III to Division II athletics, with the vision of elevating UC San Diego to the Division I level.
“The excitement is indescribable,” Edwards shared with CBS 8. “Now both of our teams are dancing. What more could you ask for in an athletic program?”
This past fall, Edwards outlined his immediate goal: to enable both men’s and women’s basketball teams to compete for championships and qualify for the NCAA Tournament. And they achieved that swiftly.
“It’s inherent to our identity,” Edwards remarked. “We envision setting a standard with a positive mindset. While I’m surprised to be the first, it’s a joy to hold that distinction, making this achievement even more momentous. We’re excited about our time in the spotlight ahead.”
The UC San Diego women’s basketball team will enter the tournament as a 16-seed, facing another 16-seed team in the Southern region for their opening match in the NCAA Tournament. This game is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday in Los Angeles, with the winner advancing to play against the tournament’s top overall seed, UCLA.
Meanwhile, the UC San Diego men’s basketball team holds the 12 seed and will take on the No. 5 seed, Michigan, in their first-round matchup. This game is set for Thursday at 7 p.m. in Denver and will be broadcast on TBS.
