A Milestone for Elmhurst Basketball
Elmhurst University’s men’s basketball team has been chosen to take part in the inaugural National Association of Basketball Coaches Division III Tournament, a historic event that will unfold in Las Vegas on December 21‑22.
The competition will feature eight of the nation’s top Division III programs split into two brackets, each containing four teams, with the championship game scheduled for the evening of December 22.
Elmhurst finds itself in Bracket 2 alongside Emory University, the University of Redlands, and Trine University, setting up a semifinal matchup against Emory that promises a clash of contrasting styles.
Head coach John Baines, who has guided the team through a season of steady improvement, expressed his excitement about the opportunity, noting that the tournament represents a culmination of the program’s hard work and ambition.
Beyond the immediate Las Vegas event, the NABC has announced a second inaugural tournament in San Antonio, Texas, slated for January 1‑2, 2027, which will showcase additional elite programs such as Wheaton College, Williams College, and Johns Hopkins University.
The dual‑tournament format not only elevates the profile of Division III basketball but also provides a unique platform for schools to display their talent on a national stage, reinforcing the growing competitiveness of the division.
Fans and alumni alike are already planning travel to both venues, eager to support a team that has earned its place among the nation’s elite, while the university looks forward to building on this momentum in the upcoming season.