Men's basketball team playing for each other in Hutchinson

The question was asked after head coach Jeremy Shulman's men's basketball team beat Motlow State Community College Thursday night – what is it about you guys that you just go out and keep winning?

"It's the character of the guys we have, we just have great people," Shulman said during the post-game interview. "They are a joy to coach every single day and a joy to be around. I have an unbelievable coaching staff, I am so blessed to have this coaching staff and all the time they put into it for not nearly enough money. And just all of our beliefs that I tell every recruit, our five factors and our beliefs of family and playing for your brother to the left and your brother to the right. To me that is what makes us a great team, to me the sum is greater than the parts when it comes to Eastern Florida basketball."

This team definitely has a lot of character, but it is more than that. There is a drive, a focus and a will to not have tonight be the final time they all play together.

"I truly love this team," Ahmed Ali said. "Kareem (Brewton) and Austin (Awad) push me every day and I am just surrounded by leaders. It is truly a blessing."

Ali is averaging 25 points per game in the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament as they prepare for Friday night's Final Four matchup with South Plains.

"Our goal was to get to the Final Four because then anything can happen. We have four outstanding teams left," Shulman said.

South Plains comes into the contest as one of the favorites with just one loss this season which came at the region tournament and have been the No. 1 team in the country for most of the season. The Texans come into the Final Four after beating Panola 88-84 and Vincennes 69-67.

"South Plains is fantastic for a reason and they will come in as favorites and that is just what we like," Shulman said. "We have been doubted. We have been doubted this season and really all our lives and we play with a chip on our shoulder and we coach with a chip on our shoulder and I think that is part of what makes us who we are. We do it for each other and are excited for this opportunity."

The Titans will play South Plains in the second semifinal of the night beginning at 9 p.m. EDT. The first game of the semifinal will begin at 7 p.m. EDT and will feature Northwest Florida State College playing the host, Hutchinson Community College.

All four of the teams still alive earned the four at-large bids to the tournament, a first in tournament history.

You can watch the Titans game against South Plains live online at efsctitans.com/webcast