Alabama State punched their ticket to the big dance after wrapping up the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament with a 65-58 triumph over Jackson State on Sunday.
The SWAC champion wouldn't usually raise an eyebrow at "Asa Space", but it turns out that the 'Bama State Hornets are coached by former Illawarra Hawk Lewis Jackson.
"Sweet Lew", a hometown hero at Alabama State returned to his Alma Mater in 2000 as an assistant coach and took over the reigns from Rob Spivrey in 2005.
After a four-year playing career at ASU that included two SWAC titles, Jackson was drafted in the third round by the Golden State Warriors in 1984.
Interestingly, Butch Hays was drafted in the seventh round that year by the Chicago Bulls and would "compete" against their first round pick from North Carolina for a roster spot.
Jackson and Hays both eventually landed in Wollongong, however only Hays is remembered with fond memories, most recently honoured with a collection of former Hawks at a halftime ceremony at the club's last home game in February.
Jackson was last seen in Wollongong in 1989 and is remembered as the infamous import that was charged for a DUI accident and fled the country having played just 11 games.
Luckily for Hawks fans Lewis' departure made way for the high-flying Patric "Air" Fairs to fill the vacant import spot in 1990.
Fairs carved an indelible impression for those who witnessed him at the Snakepit during his two spectacular seasons, an era that birthed the historic 186-157 game against the Melbourne Tigers (27/7/1991).
With Australian eyes planted on Utah's Luke Nevill in the tournament, why not sneak a peak at the Alabama State Hornets for no reason other than their obscure link to a small piece of NBL history.
ASU play the opening game of the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday, a playoff against Morehead State for the 16th seed in the Midwest Division and a date with number one seed Louisville in the first round.
