Lillie Schwier
Southern Editor
On Nov. 2 and 3, FSC hosted one of Division II basketball’s premier events, the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, an annual tournament that has quickly become a cornerstone of small-college hoops.
Founded by John McCarthy in 2016, the Hall of Fame Classic was created to highlight programs across NCAA Divisions II and III, as well as NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA that often receive limited national attention despite their high level of competition.
Now in its ninth year and its fourth consecutive year hosted at FSC’s Jenkins Field House, the event continues to grow in prestige and popularity.
What makes the Classic unique is the intensity among teams. Unlike Division I programs that often avoid facing each other early in the season, Division II teams embrace the challenge, producing some of the most competitive basketball anywhere in the country.
The tournament originated in Evansville, Indiana, later moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, before moving to Lakeland, Florida, in 2022. After being paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Classic has returned stronger each year, with FSC earning high marks for its organization and hospitality — leading to an extended hosting contract through 2028.
This year’s tournament featured ten nationally recognized programs: Lubbock Christian, UVA Wise, Washburn, Augusta, Michigan Tech, Dallas Baptist, Alaska Anchorage, Daemen, Lenoir-Rhyne, and host FSC. Seven of the ten were ranked in the preseason top 25, including three in the top five.
One of the standout match-ups came on opening day when No. 3 Dallas Baptist University fell to No. 13 Michigan Tech, led by Marcus Tomashek, one of Division II’s top returning scorers and a key figure in Tech’s national title hopes.
The weekend also featured the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday night, honoring players, coaches and contributors who have shaped small-college basketball both on and off the court. Inductees and current players had the opportunity to connect during the event’s dinner and discussion, celebrating how far the game has come at the small-college level.
For the host team, No. 15 Florida Southern, the Classic marked an exciting start to the 2025–26 campaign. The Moccasins opened with an impressive 88–76 victory over Alaska Anchorage on Saturday, displaying fast-paced, team-oriented basketball ultimately giving them a confident first win of the season.
On Sunday Nov. 3, FSC returned to the court for a thriller against UVA Wise, falling just short in a 93–91 heartbreaker. The Mocs led by 13 at halftime after a dominant offensive stretch but couldn’t hold off a late Cavaliers comeback.
Despite the loss, the tournament proved to be important for the Mocs’ preseason potential, showing significant impact from the new transfers and returning players. Newcomer Elijah Walsh, who led the Mocs in scoring with 34 points over two games, highlighted by a 23-point debut against Alaska Anchorage and 11 points against UVA-Wise. He also contributed seven rebounds, four steals, and two assists, shooting 48.1% from the field.
Amare Miller opened the season by breaking both the single-game and tournament records for blocks at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic. The senior helped lead the No. 15 Moccasins to a 1-1 start, totaling 11 rebounds, nine blocks, a steal, and 32 points over the two games. He posted 16 points in each contest, shooting 37.6% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line. Miller tallied eight rebounds and four blocks in the win over Alaska Anchorage, then added five more blocks, 16 points, and three rebounds in a narrow loss to UVA-Wise.
The Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic continues to embody the heart of college basketball: passion and pride.
For FSC, hosting the tournament not only strengthens its reputation but also brings national attention to the school and its basketball program. With the event already confirmed to return through 2028, Lakeland is set to remain the center of Division II basketball excellence for years to come.
