In Division II, generally, the top 6 teams from each region receive berths in the playoffs. #1 and #2 each get a first round bye, while #3 hosts #6, and #4 hosts #5.
After a 42-14 win in the regular season finale, the Braves would surely get a home game in the first round next Saturday right?
Add to that - the #1 AND #3 ranked teams in the region both LOST Saturday. With that said, UNCP would surely be a #4 at the worst. Maybe move up to #3??
Approximately 200 people, including Braves football players and coaches, students, parents, faculty, and community members gathered inside UNCP's University Center for the announcement.
Time Warner Cable loaned the university a box so that we could see the announcement live on ESPN NEWS. The picks came on, and that may be the quickest a group of 200 has ever gotten quiet.
And then it came.
"UNC-Pembroke" came through the speakers. A roar went up through the room.
"...will be a #5 seed and travel to take on Arkansas Tech, the #4 seed, on Saturday."
The room went dead silent as everyone tried to comprehend what just happened.
There must be another UNC-Pembroke. How did we win, #1 AND #3 lose, and us drop a spot in the rankings? Better yet, what did Arkansas Tech do to jump from #6, past us to #4??
Our Athletic Director, Chancellor, and Head Coach all spoke, pointing out that regardless, UNCP is in the playoffs. But the disappointment was obviously on their sleeves as they spoke. Players showed mixed emotions as well.
The Braves became the youngest team ever (this is the third season of football at UNCP) to make the Division II playoffs.
To this point, there is only one glaring fact that people can point to for the Braves low seed. The Braves became the first Independent team since 2002 to earn a spot in the playoffs.
If this is the case, it is a shame that that was taken into consideration. But it will also further speed up the search for a conference that the football team can be a part of. (The Peach belt Conference that UNCP is a part of doesn't have enough teams playing football for it to be included in the PBC listing.)
The Braves began the season unranked. They have now climbed to the #10 spot in the nation. Add to that a #19 ranking in the D2Football.com poll heading into the weekend, and then the Region 2 now-#5 ranking.
The Braves will travel to Russellville, Ark., to face the Wonder Boys on Saturday with a 12 noon CST, or 1 p.m. local time, start.
(Yes, Wonder Boys is the correct nickname for Arkansas Tech. Their women's teams are referred to as the Golden Suns.)
GO BRAVES!!!
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