WNMU men's basketball begins NCAA tournament play tonight

The Mustangs will take on St. Edward's University in the first round of the DII South Central Region Championship

Mar. 15, 2026 at 1:00am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Western New Mexico University men's basketball team is in Dallas today, preparing to play their first game at the National Collegiate Athletic Association DII South Central Region Championship. They will face off against St. Edward's University at Burg Center in Dallas, the team's first game in the tournament since moving to the DII level. Head coach Mark Bunker is in his third year leading the Mustangs, who are one of only 64 teams selected to compete in the national tournament out of over 300 DII programs across the country.

Why it matters

This is a major milestone for the WNMU men's basketball program, which has not reached the national tournament since the 1980s when they competed at the NAIA level under legendary coach Richard 'Drag' Drangmeister. The team's success this season is attributed to players staying at the university rather than entering the transfer portal, building strong team chemistry and camaraderie.

The details

The Mustangs will need to win three games in Dallas to advance to the quarterfinal round in Pittsburgh. Head coach Mark Bunker has emphasized the importance of his players living in the moment and playing for each other, as the future is uncertain with the transfer portal era. The team has faced challenges this season, including long road trips and injuries, but has stayed positive and supportive of one another on and off the court.

  • The Mustangs' first-round game against St. Edward's University is tonight.
  • If WNMU wins their three games in Dallas, they will move on to the quarterfinal games at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The players

Mark Bunker

The head coach of the WNMU men's basketball team, who is in his third year leading the program.

Carson Kelly

A player on the WNMU men's basketball team.

Keylon Dorsey

A player on the WNMU men's basketball team.

Yves Nkomba

A graduate assistant for the WNMU men's basketball team, who previously played for the team.

Dean Reed

A WNMU regent who was a sports broadcaster for KNFT Radio during the team's NAIA tournament appearances in the 1980s.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's just difficult enough just getting to the regional, let alone the national tournament.”

— Mark Bunker, Head Coach

“One of the things we try to make sure the guys understand is try to live in the moment, try to live with these guys and play for each other, because you never know what next year will bring.”

— Mark Bunker, Head Coach

“It's hard to keep a team together now.”

— Dean Reed, WNMU Regent

“Why I use 'patience' as that key word is, with what we have gone through with losing seasons, where people looked at us as losers. It wasn't a loss, it was a lesson.”

— Yves Nkomba, Graduate Assistant

“We've gotta encourage ourselves as individuals to help our communities, because it's bigger than us. We're social beings.”

— Yves Nkomba, Graduate Assistant

What’s next

If the team wins their three games in Dallas, they will move on to quarterfinal games at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The takeaway

The WNMU men's basketball team's success this season, reaching the NCAA DII tournament for the first time since the 1980s, is a testament to the players' commitment to the program and the community's support. The team's journey highlights the challenges of maintaining team chemistry in the era of the transfer portal, as well as the importance of perseverance and embracing the present moment.