JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman's men's basketball team is making its first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2001-02 and its third as a Division II school.  However, the dance party to postseason play extends beyond just the Orange and Blue.

Former Carson-Newman forward Collin Crane is now a strength and conditioning assistant with the University of Florida men's hoops team.  He swapped his navy for a brighter shade of blue just months after graduating and moving on from the banks of Mossy Creek. 

As such, Crane and the rest of the Billy Donovan-helmed Gators became the first SEC team to run through an 18-game SEC schedule without a loss.  The Gators brought home a second consecutive SEC title as a result.  Now, SEC tournament pending, the question is not whether the Gators will be going to the tournament, but whether the Gators will be a one seed. 

However, the NCAA tournament trips for members of Carson-Newman's extended family go beyond just former players.

Assistant coach Shane Williams son Jaylen Allen will head to the big dance in his freshman season for Wofford after the Terriers garnered their third autobid in the last five years by winnings the Southern Conference tournament.

Wofford downed Western Carolina in the title game 56-53.  Allen helped out the cause, coming off the bench with five points and a pair of rebounds.  He's averaged 5.3 points and 1.5 boards while making six starts. 

Carson-Newman will be on display Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at USC-Aiken's Convocation Center in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.  The seventh-seeded Eagles take on second-seeded LMU.  Pregame coverage on the Eagle Sports Network rolls at 2:15 with the Countdown to Tipoff on 106.3 ESPN Radio The Zone (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live. 

-CN-