NCAC Tournament Championships Preview: Both Basketball Teams in Title Bouts for First Time Since 2011

2/28/2026 9:00:00 AM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

JCU Women's and Men's Basketball will play for NCAC crowns on Saturday

GRANVILLE, Ohio – Saturday will be basketball heaven for John Carroll Blue Streaks fans.

JCU Women's and Men's Basketball will play for North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Championships on Saturday at 3 and 7 pm, respectively.

This marks the first time since 2011 that both Blue Streak basketball programs will play for crowns.

Both games will be played at Denison University's Livingston Gymnasium.

Women's Basketball vs. DePauw University, 3 pm

This matchup is the perfect example of why you can never predict chalk in a conference tournament. #4 seed DePauw pulled off a stunning upset of #1 seed Denison (#6 in most recent D3hoops.com poll). #3 seed John Carroll bested #2 seed Ohio Wesleyan, 61-49, not necessarily an upset, but surprising given the score margin.

John Carroll, ranked #10 by D3hoops.com and #7 in the NPI selection rankings, can be considered the favorites in this matchup. The Blue Streaks swept the season series, narrowly winning in Indiana on January 3, 83-78, and roaring for a 59-50 victory in University Heights on January 31, 59-50.

Regardless of the outcome, JCU is a lock for the NCAA Division III Tournament. A win, however, would solidify JCU in the NPI rankings and almost certainly clinch home court advantage for the first and second rounds of the tourney on March 6-7.

For some historical context, this appearance in the NCAC Tournament Championship marks the sixth appearance in a conference title game in program history. This is JCU's first conference title appearance since 2022. John Carroll owns a 2-3 record in title games, winning Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament crowns in 2019 and 2021.

Meanwhile, the Tigers are no strangers to the bright lights. DePauw won the NCAC Tournament Championship last year, beating Wittenberg University in a dramatic 46-44 victory. The Tigers have won nine NCAC tournament crowns all-time.

DePauw (18-7) enters on a hot streak, winners of seven straight. The Tigers are a stout defensive team, ranking second in the NCAC behind only JCU with 54.7 points allowed per game. DePauw loves high-percentage shots, ranking second in the league in field goal percentage (40.2%).

Guard Riley Mont helms the offense, leading the way with 14.6 points per game. In the paint, Olivia Hart is the stalwart, topping the team with 7.1 rebounds per game plus 13.9 ppg.

Meanwhile, John Carroll (24-3) has made its hay as a defensive-first team that can score in bunches. JCU rates tops in the conference in defense at 52.9 ppg allowed, limiting its last four foes to under 50 points.

John Carroll can shoot the 3-ball at will with several clutch shooters such as Graci Semptimphelter, who ranks seventh in NCAA Division III in 3-point percentage at 43.8%. Ava Ryncarz stands seventh in the nation in 3-pointers made with 79, plus ninth in 3-pointers per game (2.93).

The Blue Streaks also play a strong fundamental game under Head Coach Beth Andrews '15. John Carroll stands top-30 in the country in both assist/turnover ratio and free throw percentage, doing the little things right on a consistent basis. Players such as forward Carly Perusek and guard Nicci Finazzo help keep the Blue Streaks on schedule on both ends of the court.

LIVE STATS
LIVE VIDEO
WJCU 88.7 FM / WJCU.ORG

Men's Basketball vs. Denison University, 7 pm

The NCAC standings have been a whirlwind to follow all year with as close a race as you can get. But the preseason coaches poll turned out to be accurate, as the poll had Denison first and JCU second, the exact matchup we'll have on Saturday.

Both the Blue Streaks (21-6) and Big Red (18-8) have taken their lumps at times in a physical season, but both teams have proved resilient. As a result of the losses en route to this point, the NCAC could very well be a one-bid conference for the NCAA Division III Tournament, so Saturday is for both a title and an NCAA postseason berth.

On the historical side of things, the Blue Streaks will be making their 12th conference tournament title game appearance. JCU will play for a tournament crown for a third straight time for the first time since 2003-05. John Carroll sports a 7-4 record in title bouts, winning the last two vs. Mount Union in 2024 and 2025.

Meanwhile, Denison have won two NCAC Tournament titles, last winning a year ago in front of the home crowd in a 79-68 conquest of Wooster.

Denison has been nearly unbeatable at home this year, sporting a 12-1 mark at the Livingston Gym. The Big Red bested the Blue Streaks easily in the last matchup in Granville, 87-70, winning a physical war with ease on Valentine's Day. However, John Carroll drubbed Denison in University Heights on January 17, 89-75.

Denison is a team built on physicality and rebounding, as the Big Red rank second in the NCAC in rebounds per game and rebound margin, as well as first in offensive rebounds per game. When Denison can get to the free throw line, watch out, as the Big Red lead the league in free throw percentage (72.1%).

Kellon Smith helms the attack for Denison, topping eligible scorers with 13.8 points per game. The junior guard scored 21 points in both previous showdowns with JCU. Forward Luke Salkowski leads a stout forward room with 6.6 boards per game. Nick Heath is the shooter to watch out for, as the senior guard leads the NCAC in 3-pointers made and 3-pointers per game.

As for the Blue Streaks, the game begins and ends with Luke Chicone. The graduate student is in the midst of what is no doubt one of the greatest seasons by a Blue Streak in program history. That is not hyperbole – Chicone is just 29 points away from the single-season program record. The Mentor native just broke the program mark for steals in a season and is encroaching on the single-season assists record. Chicone poured in 39 points vs. DePauw in the semifinal.

But it's not just Chicone, as players like Kasey Hunt can score in bunches, averaging 14.3 points per game. Guards Jack Zapolnik and Aidan Fitzgerald can sink shots, while Kyle Irwin has been the team's reliable shooter as a small forward. Sean Collins is quietly reliable, while Mike Lamirand and Brandon Rose are consistent contributors, as well. Justin Chapman is also coming around as a center.

As a team, the Blue Streaks stand 11th in the nation in points per game with 90.3. JCU also rates top-20 in the nation in steals per game, turnover margin, and 3-point attempts per game. The Blue Streaks' speed can throw opponents off and harm you in transition. A half-court type of game isn't what JCU wants, as the Blue Streaks love a good press and a turnover.

LIVE STATS
LIVE VIDEO
WJCU 88.7 FM / WJCU.ORG

Be sure to tune into WJCU 88.7 FM or WJCU.org to catch a JCU broadcast of both games. Denison offers live stats and live video as well.

Print Friendly Version