The Kennesaw State University men’s basketball team was announced as the No. 14 seed in the West Region of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament on Mar. 16, following its first Conference USA tournament championship. The Owls will face No. 3 seed Gonzaga at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on Thursday.
This marks Kennesaw State’s second appearance in March Madness in four years and highlights a period of athletic success for the university. In addition to men’s basketball, KSU has claimed three Conference USA championships during the 2025-26 season, including titles in football and women’s track and field.
KSU President Kathy S. Schwaig said, “This historic victory by our men’s basketball team is a powerful testament to the grit, determination, and indomitable will that define Kennesaw State. Winning our third CUSA championship this academic year underscores the incredible momentum surging across the University. Congratulations to Coach Pettway and his coaching staff, as well as our student-athletes for making Owl Nation proud as we return to the national stage for the second time in four years. We are thrilled to keep this momentum building and will be cheering them on.”
To celebrate these achievements, Kennesaw Hall is being illuminated each evening with gold lights until the Owls either win the national championship or are eliminated from the tournament. This new tradition aims to mark significant milestones for KSU.
Alumnus Jeff Chassner said, “It’s unbelievable. The best part about the experience was seeing how Owl Nation showed up to support. It was a home game in the finals, it truly was.” He also noted that athletic success has increased interest in academics at KSU: “Students want to get a degree from Kennesaw State. The academics have always been amazing. Now, our athletics is driving eyeballs to the University, so it has been wonderful.” Fellow alumnus Patrick Vickers added, “President Schwaig says it best in almost every meeting I’m in with her. She talks about prominence, and Kennesaw State is becoming prominent with all the national TV exposure that we’re receiving… We’re winning. How rare is it for a newly elevated team to win the conference title in football and basketball in the same athletic year? Unheard of, right?”
KSU became only the second Football Bowl Subdivision school alongside Duke to win both football and men’s basketball conference championships during this academic year.
Senior marketing major Collin Shephard reflected on his experience: “Being in March Madness again as a senior means everything to me,” Shepherd said. “I thank Coach Pettway for keeping the same energy that Amir Abdur-Rahim brought and bringing so much more. I’m so ready to go dancing.”
The university community continues its celebrations while looking forward to Thursday’s matchup against Gonzaga.
