March 19, 2024 — Nine total teams — five on the women’s side, four on the men’s — will represent their Jesuit colleges and universities in the NCAA Division I basketball tournaments, which begin this week. Here’s your rooting guide and some fun facts about the six schools represented in this year’s March Madness.
Women’s Teams
Gonzaga University Bulldogs – 4 seed in the Portland 4 Region
Head Coach: Lisa Fortier
Player to Watch: Yvonne Ejim
— Gonzaga Women’s Basketball (@ZagWBB) March 18, 2024
Creighton Bluejays – 7 seed in the Albany 2 Region
Head Coach: Jim Flanery
Player to Watch: Emma Ronsiek
WE’RE DANCING!#GoJays pic.twitter.com/WwQjsb4otB
— Creighton Women’s Basketball (@CreightonWBB) March 18, 2024
Marquette University Golden Eagles – 10 seed in the Albany 1 Region
Head Coach: Megan Duffy
Player to Watch: Liza Karlen
No. 10 seed Marquette plays No. 7 seed Ole Miss on Saturday at 3:45 p.m. CT on ESPNU in South Bend, Indiana.#MUWBB | @MarchMadnessWBB pic.twitter.com/EDq8fXisBR
— Marquette WBB (@MarquetteWBB) March 18, 2024
Fairfield University Stags – 13 seed in the Albany 1 Region
Head Coach: Carly Thibault-DuDonis
Player to Watch: Janelle Brown
College of the Holy Cross Crusaders – 16 seed in the Albany 2 Region
Head Coach: Maureen Magarity
Player to Watch: Bronagh Power-Cassidy
Men’s Teams
Marquette University Golden Eagles – 2 seed in the South Region
Head Coach: Shaka Smart
Player to Watch: Tyler Kolek
Marquette will open @MarchMadnessMBB action on Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET on TBS in the first game of the day from Indianapolis.#MUBB | #WeAreMarquette pic.twitter.com/XpeCcPtLpG
— Marquette Basketball (@MarquetteMBB) March 18, 2024
Gonzaga University Bulldogs – 5 seed in the Midwest Region
Head Coach: Mark Few
Player to Watch: Graham Ike
Creighton University Bluejays – 3 seed in the Midwest Region
Head Coach: Greg McDermott
Player to Watch: Baylor Scheierman
Saint Peter’s University Peacocks– 15 seed in the Midwest Region
Head Coach: Bashir Mason
Player to Watch: Corey Washington
‘ , ‼️#StrutUp pic.twitter.com/ab45iZMx5R
— Saint Peter’s Men’s Basketball (@PeacocksMBB) March 17, 2024
Beyond the Court: Interesting College/University Facts
Creighton University is renowned for its Center for Health Policy and Ethics, which engages in interdisciplinary research, education and advocacy on issues related to healthcare policy, medical ethics and social justice in health care.
The College of the Holy Cross offers a unique interdisciplinary program called Montserrat, that links a first-year seminar to an interdisciplinary cluster and residence hall, inviting first-year students into a lively intellectual and social community that encourages engagement with a broad range of themes and issues.
Fairfield University hosts the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies, which promotes the study of Jewish history, culture and religion through academic programs, public lectures and cultural events, contributing to interfaith dialogue and understanding.
Gonzaga University’s Institute of Hate Studies is dedicated to understanding and combating hate in all its forms through research, education and advocacy, fostering a more inclusive and just society.
Marquette University is home to the Center for Peacemaking, which brings together students, faculty and the wider community to form young adults as nonviolent peacemakers; produce community-based research that expands knowledge of how to address inequalities; and to lead social action programs that disrupt cycles of violence and address root causes of conflict.
Saint Peter’s University is committed to providing students with field experiences through its Center for Career Engagement and Experiential Learning that prepares and empowers students to make informed career choices that will lead to purposeful lives through internships and professional opportunities.
