Virginia Union University's men's basketball team will enter the 2023 CIAA Tournament as the #1 seed and will open play on February 22 at the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Md.

VUU will play the winner of the Livingstone College-Elizabeth City State University game at 6:40 p.m. on Wednesday.

Livingstone is the #8 seed while Elizabeth City State enters the tournament as the #9 seed.

VUU lost to Livingstone in overtime 101-92 on Monday, December 19, in Salisbury, N.C. while the Panthers swept the two games against Elizabeth City State this season.  

The Panthers defeated the Vikings 59-53 on Thursday, January 26, in Elizabeth City, N.C., and then downed ECSU 87-71 on Saturday, February 4, on national television in Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va.

VUU's Robert Osborne scored 33 points against Livingstone while recording a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds in the first game against Elizabeth City State.

Osborne also recorded a double-double in the Panthers' second game against ECSU by scoring 17 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

"The CIAA is one of the toughest conference in the country, and anytime you can finish #1 with the top seed going into the tournament is a huge accomplishment," said VUU Head Men's Basketball Coach Jay Butler.  "I've been blessed with a great coaching staff and some unbelievable student athletes  this season.  We are excited about the opportunity to head back to Baltimore to compete for CIAA Championship."

If victorious, the Panthers will then play in the tournament semi-finals on Friday, February 24, in Baltimore, Md.