HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — At least on the surface, there seemed to be concern about Metro State and its likelihood of being in Kentucky this week for a chance to play for an NCAA Division II national championship. The Roadrunners, after all, lost twice to Colorado Mines during the regular season and were knocked out of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament in the opening round in a disheartening 67-63 overtime loss to Colorado Mesa.
Senior guard Reggie Evans was never worried.
“We still had a lot of confidence in ourselves,” Evans said Tuesday. “After we lost that tournament game, we got rested up, got our minds right and went out and won three games. It feels good to be here and we know we have an opportunity to do something special this week.”
Metro State coach Derrick Clark said: “It was a blessing in disguise. We had 10 days off between that game and the start of the regional, and it allowed us to get rested up and gave us time to prepare for the regional. Our guys never lost confidence.”
The Roadrunners (25-6) won the regional, knocking off Adams State, St. Cloud State and top-ranked Mines.
And for Evans, one of only two seniors on the roster, it meant he would get to do something that a lot of players never get to do, and that is play in the Elite Eight. Metro State plays Montevallo (27-7) tonight at 6:30 p.m. MDT.
Evans has been an integral part of the Roadrunners’ success, averaging 18.5 points and 7.2 rebounds.
The Falcons are led by D.J. Rivera, who is averaging 21.8 points per game. Montevallo, like Metro State, likes a fast pace and is averaging 75.2 points. The Falcons have won their past eight games and are in the Elite Eight for the third time in program history.
The winner plays the winner of the Alabama-Huntsville (29-3) vs. Bellarmine (28-3) game in a national semifinal Thursday.
The title game is set for 11 a.m. Saturday and will be televised live on KCNC-4.
“We have to get off to a strong start and play hard,” Evans said. “We definitely feel like we can win a title if we play our best basketball. This is a great opportunity for our team, and we want to take advantage of it.”
NCAA Division II Elite Eight
At Highland Heights, Ky.
Today
Stonehill vs. West Liberty, 10 a.m.
Midwestern St. vs. W. Wash., 12:30 p.m.
Ala.-Huntsville vs. Bellarmine, 4 p.m.
Metro State vs. Montevallo, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday
Semifinals
Saturday
Championship
