CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – After years of being one of the best programs in Division II, Queens made the move to Division I in 2022 and what a time to finally become eligible for the NCAA Tournament.<\/p>\n
After a 1-3 start to the season and 5-8 heading into conference play, the Royals are 6-0 in Atlantic Sun Conference play and in first all by themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve made a huge defensive jump since conference has started,\u201d said Royals head coach Grant Leonard. \u201cWe\u2019ve really started to rebound the ball at a high level. We\u2019ve really done and incredible job guarding the three and that has led to this 6-0 start. But it\u2019s game by game and our league is so good offensively. We got to keep it going.\u201d<\/p>\n
When a team transitions to D-I, they have to wait 3 years before they can participate in the postseason. In that time, the Royals have a record of 63-57 which is rare for a program making the jump. To make things even more impressive, the Royals are having this success during the crazy times of NIL.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we first decided to go to Division I, NIL wasn\u2019t even a thing,\u201d said coach. \u201cNone of this was a part of the projections. It\u2019s kind of like getting on an airplane and going for a ride and assembling it midair. But we\u2019ve stayed light on our feet and have really done an unbelievable job together making wise decisions for our future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coach Leonard\u2019s squad is a very balanced team. They have 5 players that average double figures in points led by Nasir Mann who is averaging 14 points per game. Seven players average at least 8 points per game so they can fill up the basket on any given night.<\/p>\n
But it all goes back to having a shot at playing in the NCAA Tournament. They have had all that success even without that ultimate prize at the end. Now that they have that incentive, this team is hungry, but they can\u2019t get too ahead of themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cEighteen (conference) games is a long marathon and we\u2019ve hit one third of the way through. Even when you get through the 18 games, we\u2019ve got a 3 game, winner take all deal at the end so for us it\u2019s all about getting better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Queens will look to stay undefeated in league play as they will host (6-11) North Alabama on Wednesday at Curry Arena.<\/p>\n
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