NCAA Tournament team reveals it will drop from Division I to Division III

NCAA Tournament action began on Tuesday, March 18, with a battle between 16-seeds Alabama State and Saint Francis (PA) at the First Four in Dayton.

Alabama State won that game with a last-second shot and then went on to lose to No. 1 overall seed Auburn in Round 1 of March Madness.

It appears that’s the last we’ll ever see of Saint Francis (PA) in the NCAA Tournament, though. Per a release from the school, the Red Flash are leaving the Northeast Conference and dropping all the way down from Division I to Division III.

Here was part of the statement given by university leadership, citing the transfer portal and NIL money as major reasons for the decision:

This was not an easy nor a quick decision for the Board of Trustees,” stated Chairman and the Very Rev. Joseph Lehman, T.O.R., Ph.D. “The governance associated with intercollegiate athletics has always been complicated and is only growing in complexity based on realities like the transfer portal, pay-for-play, and other shifts that move athletics away from love of the game. For that reason, as a Board, we aim to best provide resources and support to our student-athletes in this changing environment that aligns with our mission, Catholic institution, and our community’s expectations.

The Red Flash made the NCAA Tournament 1 time prior to 2025, all the way back in 1991. That year, they lost to No. 1 seed North Carolina in Round 1.

Adam Spencer

Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.