CLAYTON, Mo. -- For the seventh time in the last eight years the Sam Houston State bowling team will compete in the NCAA Championships, but this time it will be a little different.
In past years, there was a day of qualifying to determine seeding for the championship bracket. This year, the teams entered seeded and the double elimination bracket play will start Thursday morning.
The Kats are the No. 5 seed in this year’s event and will open with No. 4 Vanderbilt. In the new format, the teams will bowl a traditional format, a baker and then a best of seven if necessary.
For the Bearkats, along with fellow Southland Bowling League members Arkansas State and Vanderbilt, they are a little more familiar with the process this weekend. This is the same format used in the Southland Championship the last two years.
Thursday’s opening match with Vanderbilt is an opponent the Kats are very familiar with. The two teams have squared off 10 times this year and the Bearkats hold a 4-6 record against the Commodores this season. In the Baker format the two teams split the two matches. In the traditional format Vanderbilt holds a 2-1 advantage and in the best of seven they have a 3-2 lead.