Montgomery's Hornets Gear Up for NCAA First Four Thriller

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama State University's Hornets men's basketball team heads into the 2025-26 NCAA Tournament with fire in their eyes, marking their fifth appearance but zero victories to date[6]. The squad earned a spot in the First Four, setting up a high-stakes opener against St. something, as previewed in a tense press conference[6]. Hometown fans in Montgomery pack Joe D. Wray Sr. Arena, buzzing with hope for ASU's first-ever tourney triumph amid the SWAC's competitive grind[2]. Head coach Tony Madlock, who unveiled a brutal 2024-25 schedule last fall, has his Hornets battle-tested against Power Four foes like SMU, Southern Miss, and the Akron Basketball Classic lineup of Lamar, Akron and Nebraska-Omaha[2]. That non-conference slate, packed with elite matchups, forged resilience for SWAC wars against rivals Mississippi Valley State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Jackson State and Alcorn State[2]. Madlock called it 'high-level preparation' for postseason glory, with the Hornets now embodying Montgomery's underdog spirit[2]. Unlike the Alabama Crimson Tide's sixth straight NCAA bid as a No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region -- facing 13-seed Hofstra in Tampa under Nate Oats -- ASU represents HBCU pride on college hoops' biggest stage[1][4]. The Tide boasts depth from guards Labaron Philon, Houston Mallette and Latrell Wrightsell, navigating injuries like Aden Holloway's absence[4][5]. But in Montgomery, all eyes fix on the Hornets' First Four fight, a chance to stun the nation and etch ASU into tourney lore[6]. As tipoff nears on national TV via CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV or March Madness Live, Madlock stresses defense and pace against a formidable foe[1][6]. LACEUP programs amplify ASU's athletic surge, fueling campus energy as the Hornets chase history from Alabama's heartland[context].