FORT WORTH, Texas – Four of the NAIA's top teams will square off in the inaugural Texas Wesleyan Champions Classic on November 1st and 2nd at the Sid Richardson Center. The field will feature host Texas Wesleyan University, The Master's University (Calif.), LSU-Alexandria, and LSU-Shreveport.
All four programs are listed in the 2018 Street and Smith's NAIA Preseason National poll and are coming off of highly successful 2017-18 campaigns.
The Texas Wesleyan Rams, who won the 2017 NAIA National Championship, are coming off their third straight Sooner Athletic Conference Championship campaign. Led by 2017 NAIA National Coach of the Year
Brennen Shingleton, the 2018-19 Rams will feature a reloaded roster comprised of experienced returners and impact transfers. With four impact returners,
Rob Thomas,
Dare Brazeal,
Juwan Jones and
Sam Smith, and newcomers with size and length, the Rams are excited to compete for another championship.
The Master's University Mustangs ended the 2017-18 regular season ranked No. 1 in the NAIA. Champions of the Golden State Athletic Conference, the 29-3 Mustangs were upset in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament. Led by Coach Kelvin Starr, the Mustangs feature two All-Americans in 6'10" Tim Soares and 5'10" guard Hansel Atencia.
The LSU-Alexandria Generals, led by Coach Larry Cordero, advanced to the 2018 NAIA National Championship game. The 2018-19 Generals will feature six returners and an impressive collection of impact transfers. The returners are led by 6'11" Will Claiborne.
The LSU-Shreveport Pilots advanced to the 2018 NAIA Final Four in Kansas City. While Coach Kyle Blankenship lost three NAIA All Americans from his 2018 roster, he has reloaded with an impressive collection of NCAA Division 1 transfers from across the country. The 2018-19 Pilots are poised to contend for a national championship once again.
The season opening event will feature two match-ups each night between the quartet of NAIA powerhouses.
Thursday November 1:
5:00 pm – The Master's University vs. LSU-Alexandria
7:00 pm – Texas Wesleyan University vs. LSU-Shreveport
Friday November 2:
1:00 pm – The Master's University vs. LSU-Shreveport
3:00 pm – Texas Wesleyan University vs. LSU- Alexandria
