College hoops fans unhappy Bellarmine will miss March Madness despite conference title

How unusual was the ASUN men’s basketball tournament final Tuesday? The Jacksonville State Gamecocks — who weren’t even playing — were the true winner of the game.

The Bellarmine Knights (seen at top during a Feb. 5 game) and Jacksonville Dolphins met in the final. Normally, the winner would go to the NCAA tournament. This situation, though, was a bizarre three-way dance.

A win from Jacksonville was the least confusing option. If the Dolphins won, they would have advanced to the NCAA tournament. But Bellarmine is still in transition from Division II, which they started in the 2020-21 season; that makes them ineligible for national tournaments (in any sport) for four years. That’s where Jacksonville State comes in. As regular-season champions, the Gamecocks would receive the automatic bid in the event of a Bellarmine win.

Understandably, Jacksonville State was pulling hard for the Knights to win.

We like the way you think! https://t.co/EWai6ttOpt pic.twitter.com/Zyk4Z8yJ80

— Jax State Basketball (@JaxStateMBB) March 8, 2022

As it turned out, that’s exactly what happened.

https://twitter.com/thecomeback/status/1501350193572171782

As you can see, the Bellarmine team and fans were ecstatic.

The Jacksonville State team Twitter account was understandably excited, as well, giving credit to the Gamecocks’ Knights in Shining Armor.

🎟️🎟️ The Gamecocks are 𝓓𝓐𝓝𝓒𝓘𝓝𝓖 🎟️🎟️

. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/eURz4Mg95u

— Jax State Basketball (@JaxStateMBB) March 9, 2022

What a (K)night! Your Gamecocks are going back to the Big Dance for the second time in program history after claiming the 2022 ASUN Conference Title! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/7Ehqfa6STV

— Jax State Basketball (@JaxStateMBB) March 9, 2022

That’s where the excitement ended. College hoops fans, in general, were not happy. They were miffed at the idea that a team would be barred from the sport’s greatest tournament after moving up in competition.

Peep that @NCAA https://t.co/gMsTFRxovE

— Brian Hare (@HaughtyHobbit) March 9, 2022

Change the stupid rule and let this team play @NCAA @MarchMadnessMBB https://t.co/ozQsPVCjqe

— Jordan R. Hoehler (@Jordan_Hoehler7) March 9, 2022

Send Bellarmine to the tourney. They earned it regardless https://t.co/FyUj7rV41I

— Jared Sullinger Sr. (@Jared_Sully0) March 9, 2022

The fact that my guys won their conference tournament in only their SECOND season as a D1 program, but can't go to the tournament because of their probationary period tells you exactly how ridiculous the NCAA is.

Literally discourages success at the highest level they offer 🤷🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️ https://t.co/Bb4QKxD9WY

— Davis Schaefer (@DavisSchaefer) March 9, 2022

Bellarmine wins the Atlantic Sun Tournament.

But Bellarmine is ineligible for the NCAA Tournament.

So Jacksonville State — who Jacksonville — who lost to Bellarmine tonight — beat in the semis — will go instead.

A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE!

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 9, 2022

Bellarmine wins the ASUN Tournament. They will not go to the NCAA Tournament because they recently transitioned from D2, a dumb rule. Jacksonville State, who lost to Jacksonville in the Semis, will go instead. 🙃 https://t.co/qI5DaWzmTB

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) March 9, 2022

Bellarmine not being eligible for the NCAA Tournament because they are “too new” to D-1 is peak NCAA https://t.co/296fMK3pgJ

— Tyler Aki (@TylerAki_) March 9, 2022

Just an absolutely terrible rule https://t.co/6UVXFB2ClX

— Ben Showtime Spicer (@BSpicerMedia) March 9, 2022

The fact Bellarmine isn’t going dancing is an epic basketball travesty.

The transition rule needs to be fixed if you’re jumping up from a smaller division. #MarchMadness https://t.co/NlRDOm7i3T

— Jesse MacWilliam (@JesseMacTV) March 9, 2022

Admittedly, when you say the rule out loud, it’s hard to make any sense of it. Maybe the Bellarmine situation will get the NCAA to revisit this rule. For now, though, the Knights will have to settle for a conference championship.