NY Times · Mar 14, 2022
When You’re in the N.C.A.A. Tournament, but Not Fully In
The low seeding of men’s teams from historically Black universities like Texas Southern often means they must prove they belong in the field even after they’ve proved they belong.
Texas Southern’s men’s basketball team celebrated after winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament.Credit...Andi Rice for The New York TimesBIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Finally, a taut game began to turn in Texas Southern’s favor. An automatic bid to the N.C.A.A. basketball tournament was within reach. An assistant coach knelt at the Texas Southern bench as if to start a decisive sprint to the finish line. Players jumped to their feet, waving towels the way trainers cool boxers between rounds.
