DEKALB COUNTY, GA. — The Emory University men’s basketball team is heading to the national championship for the first time in school history.
Emory will play University of Mary Washington in a battle of the Eagles for the NCAA Division III title. The game tips off Sunday at 4:30 p.m. in Indianapolis.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
It’s been quite the journey for the Emory Eagles. They won 27 games this season, the most in program history.
Head coach Jason Zimmerman has been with the program for 19 years. He told Channel 2’s Luke Hetrick that other Emory programs have brought titles home and now it’s his team’s turn.
“The last two weeks have been surreal really. It’s, you know, sometimes, you pinch yourself. Hey, we’re playing for a national championship," Zimmerman said. “It’s 40 minutes away from national championship and that’s what we keep telling our guys."
Senior point guard Ben Pearce leads the team in scoring and averages 24 points a game. He told Hetrick that he’s never played in a championship game before at any level.
“This will probably be the biggest game that I’ve played in so far in my life and the other guys as well," Pearce said.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Atlanta Braves pay homage to TBS Superstation days with new City Connect jerseys
- Yellow Jackets star duals as NFL prospect, small business owner
Pearce said students have been buzzing on campus and coming up to the team about bringing home a championship. He said it’s been a refreshing feeling.
“Obviously we have the academics, and we’re well known for that, but we do have really competitive sports here as well and people put a lot time and care into it. So it is good that we’re rewarded in this way of being able to compete at the highest stage,” he said.
Zimmerman hasn’t thought about the future will look after the championship game on Sunday. But there is one thing he does know.
“I’ll miss these guys,” the head coach said. “Win or lose, I’m going to miss this team."
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]