ATHENS, W.Va. – During the holiday season, the Concord University Sports Information Department will be unveiling the top moments, games and storylines from the past year in Concord Athletics in countdown form.
From the top games, All-American recognition, NCAA Tournament appearances and more we hope you enjoy a look back at Concord Athletics over the last 365 days.
Two story lines and moments are left in the countdown with two Concord teams making the NCAA Tournament in 2024. Monday's focus will be on the men's basketball team that qualified for their first NCAA Tournament since 2016.
Led by All-MEC First Team guard
Kollin Tolbert and All-MEC Honorable Mention forward
Rene Diop as well as the veteran leadership of
Jevon Laidler,
Amare Smith and
Jordan Wooden, Concord racked up 21 regular-season wins which tied the program record for most regular season wins. The Mountain Lions strengthened their NCAA Tournament resume by making the MEC Tournament Semifinals for the first time in five years.
The 2023-24 season marked the 11
th all-time 20-win season for CU.
Some of the key wins in the regular season included knocking off fourth-ranked and perennial NCAA Tournament team Indiana (Pa.) to open the season, a regular-season sweep of fellow NCAA Tournament team West Virginia State, a one-point win over Fairmont State at home and three wins over Davis & Elkins, including one in the MEC Tournament Quarterfinals.
From January 31 through February 21, Concord rattled off 10 straight wins which were the most consecutive wins in program history in more than 30 years.
Even though the Mountain Lions came up short in the NCAA Tournament's First Round versus Charleston, it was just the fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in program history, and the eighth national tournament appearance dating back to CU's NAIA days.
Perhaps the most impressive part about Concord's national tournament was it was the first tournament bid without a conference championship automatic berth since 1954.
Â
Â
