CIAA Men’s Basketball 2022 – Who Won?
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s Basketball tournament is one of the most anticipated events in college basketball. Every year, the tournament brings together the best teams from the CIAA to compete for the championship. This year, the tournament was held in Charlotte, North Carolina from March 3rd-7th, and the winner of the tournament was the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls.
Background of the Tournament
The CIAA is a NCAA Division II conference that is made up of 12 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The tournament has been held since 1912, and is the oldest African-American athletic conference in the United States. It is also one of the most competitive tournaments in college basketball, and is watched by millions of fans every year.
Teams Competing in the Tournament
There were 12 teams competing in the tournament. They were:
- Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls
- Virginia State Trojans
- Fayetteville State Broncos
- Elizabeth City State Vikings
- Bowie State Bulldogs
- Chowan Hawks
- Lincoln Lions
- Livingstone Blue Bears
- Shaw Bears
- Virginia Union Panthers
- St. Augustine Falcons
- Winston-Salem State Rams
The Tournament Bracket
The tournament was played in a single-elimination format, with the top four seeds receiving a bye to the quarterfinals. The bracket was as follows:
- First Round
- Virginia State Trojans vs. Fayetteville State Broncos
- Elizabeth City State Vikings vs. Bowie State Bulldogs
- Chowan Hawks vs. Lincoln Lions
- Livingstone Blue Bears vs. Shaw Bears
- Quarterfinals
- Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls vs. Winner of VSU/FSU Game
- Virginia Union Panthers vs. Winner of ECSU/BSU Game
- St. Augustine Falcons vs. Winner of CHU/LL Game
- Winston-Salem State Rams vs. Winner of LBU/SHU Game
- Semifinals
- Winner of JCSU/VSU/FSU Game vs. Winner of VUU/ECSU/BSU Game
- Winner of SAC/CHU/LL Game vs. Winner of WSSU/LBU/SHU Game
- Finals
- Winner of Semifinal 1 vs. Winner of Semifinal 2
The Final Game
The final game of the tournament was between the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls and the Virginia Union Panthers. The Golden Bulls had advanced to the finals after defeating the Virginia State Trojans in the quarterfinals, and then the Virginia Union Panthers in the semifinals. The Panthers had advanced to the finals after defeating the Elizabeth City State Vikings in the quarterfinals, and then the St. Augustine Falcons in the semifinals.
The final game was a close one. The Golden Bulls were up by three points at halftime, and the Panthers tied it up with two minutes left in the game. The Golden Bulls were able to hang on and win the game 68-65, to take the championship.
MVP of the Tournament
The Most Valuable Player of the tournament was Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls guard, Joshua Hawkins. Hawkins averaged 19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game throughout the tournament. He also had the game-winning basket in the final game, to seal the victory for the Golden Bulls.
The Championship Celebration
The Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls celebrated their championship win in style. They had a parade in Charlotte, with the team and their fans celebrating the victory. The Golden Bulls were also honored with a championship banner at their home court.
Reactions to the Championship
The championship win was met with celebration and excitement from both the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls and their fans. The team was ecstatic about the win, and their fans were thrilled to finally see the team take home the title.
The Impact of the Championship
The championship win had a huge impact on the Johnson C. Smith University community. The win was a source of pride for the school, and the team’s success has served as an inspiration for future generations of Golden Bulls.
The Future of the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls
The Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls will look to build on their championship win in future seasons. The team has a lot of young talent, and with the right coaching and development, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the CIAA.
Conclusion
The Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls won the CIAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in 2022, and the win was a huge source of pride for the school and their fans. The team was led by MVP Joshua Hawkins, and they celebrated their victory with a parade and a championship banner at their home court. The championship win has had a huge impact on the school, and the team will look to build on their success in future seasons.