Preview: Walters State Faces South Georgia State in NJCAA Tournament Opener

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (Interstat) — A dominant force meets a hot team when the top-seeded Walters State Senators open the 2026 NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship against the South Georgia State Hawks in a first-round game Sunday.

The Senators (23-1), whose only loss came on Dec. 5, enter as one of the nation’s most formidable squads. They have won 15 consecutive games, often by lopsided margins, including a 104-56 rout of Motlow State on Feb. 25. Their closest call during the streak was a 68-65 victory over Columbia State on March 10.

Walters State is led by guard Taquez Butler, who scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds in that tight win over Columbia State. The Senators boast a deep and balanced attack, with six players averaging double-figure scoring during the season.

They face a South Georgia State team (18-8) that has found its rhythm at the right time. The Hawks have won eight straight games, several in dramatic fashion. They edged Central Georgia 75-74 on March 14 and Georgia Highlands 80-79 on Feb. 28.

The Hawks are powered by forward Jeremy Anderson, who has been on a remarkable tear. Over his last seven games, Anderson has recorded six double-doubles, including a 27-point, 19-rebound performance in a win over Southern Crescent on March 2. In the narrow win over Central Georgia, he logged 39 minutes, scoring 17 points and securing 12 rebounds.

Anderson’s frontcourt presence will be critical against a physical Walters State lineup. Support comes from guards Reggie White, who had 18 points against Central Georgia, and Chandler Thomas.

The matchup presents a classic tournament contrast: Walters State’s sustained excellence versus South Georgia State’s clutch, momentum-driven surge. A Interstat game simulator projects a dead-even final score of 100-100, underscoring the potential for a high-stakes thriller.

The winner will advance to the second round of the national tournament on Monday.