Washburn's Claussen 'highly probable' to play in NCAA Central Regional

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TOPEKA — Washburn men’s basketball is back in action on Saturday, March. 14. The Ichabods will be hosting the NCAA Central Regional Tournament. It’s win-or-go home time for Washburn as it begins itsquest for a national championship.

No. 1 Washburn (31-1) will face No. 8 Minnesota Duluth (21-11) at 5:30 p.m. inside Lee Arena. No matter the opponent, the challenge will be tough with the national tournament bringing the best teams together. 

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“They are playing really well, they are hot,’ Washburn head coach Brett Ballard said about Duluth. “They won their conference tournament, pretty balanced on both sides. They are sound and those NSIC teams are always well-coached.”

Washburn basketball: Brett Ballard challenges fans during regional championship

One big question entering the regional tournament is the availability of sophomore forward Dillon Claussen. 

He missed the MIAA Tournament semifinals and championship game due to a thigh injury. Ballard shared that he did not suffer the injury during the first round of the conference tournament. 

Claussen woke up not feeling himself the morning of the semifinals. 

“He didn’t practice Tuesday,” Ballard said. “He’s a lot better. I think he’s highly probable to play this weekend, but we’ll have to see how he’s moving.”

As Washburn won the conference tournament, the Ichabods adapted without their second-leading scorer and top-rebounder. If Claussen can’t go in the opening round, Washburn has found ways to succeed. 

“I think Dillon is the best big in the country,” Washburn junior Jack Bachelor said. “But the culture that we’ve built, next man up mentality. We are going to rally around him because he’s fought his butt off to get to where he is. I think Tyson Ruud and Brady Christiansen have stepped up huge."

Ballard posted a photo to X of the team after a shoot around on Friday, March 13. Claussen was in full practice gear. 

NCAA Division II Central Region Championship schedule 

Lee Arena, Topeka

Quarterfinals

Saturday, March 14

  • No. 8 Minnesota Duluth (21-11) vs No. 1 Washburn (31-1), 5:30 p.m.
  • No. 5 Missouri Western (21-11) vs No. 4 St. Cloud State (25-6), 8 p.m.
  • No. 7 Harding (24-7) vs No. 2 Oklahoma Baptist (27-3), 2:30 p.m.
  • No. 6 Rogers State (21-10) vs No. 3 Central Missouri (23-9), 12 p.m.

Semifinals 

Sunday, March 15

  • Minnesota Duluth/Washburn vs Missouri Western/St. Cloud State, 7:30 p.m.
  • Harding/Oklahoma Baptist vs Rogers State/Central Missouri, 5 p.m.

Regional Championship

Tuesday, March 17

  • Championship, 7 p.m.

Liam Keating covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Washburn menl open NCAA Central Regional play vs Minnesota Duluth

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