VTSU RANDOLPH MEN'S BASKETBALL BACK ON NATIONAL STAGE

For the second straight season, the Vermont State Randolph Knights are headed back to the Big Dance.

When the Knights heard their name called during Tuesday afternoon's USCAA Selection Show, the celebration was about more than just a tournament berth — it was validation. Validation of a 21–10 season built on resilience, growth, and belief. Validation that Randolph continues to belong among the nation's top small-college programs.

Randolph earned the tournament's #8 seed and will square off against #9 seed Kent State–Tuscarawas (Ohio) in Buffalo, NY, as part of the 10-team national field.

For Head Coach Jamal Hughes, the moment carries special weight.

"I am pleased," Hughes said following the announcement. "It's hard to make this tournament — they only take 10 teams. We should be proud of what we've accomplished, and I hope the community is paying attention."

The Knights' return to the national stage signals consistency and sustained excellence. Making the USCAA National Tournament once is an accomplishment. Doing it in back-to-back years solidifies Randolph as a program that expects to compete in March.

This year's squad has carved its identity through balance and toughness. The 21 wins didn't come easy. The Knights navigated a demanding schedule, battled through adversity, and found ways to close out tight games. Along the way, they developed depth, chemistry, and confidence — all essential ingredients for tournament basketball.

The national spotlight will also shine once again on one of the program's most decorated players.

Former USCAA Player of the Year Jaylon Calvin returns to the national stage, bringing experience, poise, and big-game pedigree to Buffalo. Calvin knows what it means to perform when the lights are brightest, and his presence gives Randolph a proven leader in tournament play. For a player who has already etched his name into program history, the opportunity to compete again on the national floor adds another chapter to an already impressive legacy.

Randolph's matchup with Kent State–Tuscarawas promises to be a battle between two teams that fought their way into a limited field. With only 10 spots available, every team in Buffalo has earned its place.

For the Knights, the mission now shifts from celebration to preparation.

As the team prepares for Buffalo, one message rings clear: this is a program on the rise, and it's not finished yet. Back-to-back tournament appearances signal that Randolph basketball is building something sustainable — something that the campus and surrounding community can rally behind.

March is about opportunity. The Knights have earned theirs.

Now, they're ready to make the most of it.