Centre basketball aims to return to the NCAA tournament

DANVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — The Centre men’s and women’s basketball teams held media day on Monday ahead of the 2025-26 season.

The women’s team aims to return to the NCAA tournament in 2026. The Colonels went 21-8 last season, winning the Southern Athletic Association tournament, but fell in the first round of The Big Dance.

“We were super excited to get back to the NCAA tournament, but I can tell you they were very disappointed about how they performed in the NCAA tournament,” Head Coach Wendie Austin said. “What we’ve seen so far with them and every conversation we’ve had, they definitely want to try to get back and make a better showing.”

Last year’s core, including SAA athlete of the year Bailey Rucker, is gone, but the nine returners on the team are ready to step up and go even further this season.

“I’m excited. I’m definitely excited for sure. I feel like we put in the work in the weight room. We’ve been conditioning, we have practice,” junior guard  Ka’niah Edelen said. “We have a lot of things that just show that, like, I think we could be a good team.”

Centre will begin its season on Sunday, Nov. 8, at home against Meredith. Tip-off is set for 1 pm.

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