The Buccaneers excelled on the hardwood to the tune of a 31-4 record and their second Region XIV regular-season co-championship. Blinn entered the season ranked sixth in the NJCAA Division I pre-season top 25 poll and reached as high as No. 2.
The Bucs’ return to the national stage was a success, as they opened their run in the tournament with an 80-63 second-round victory over South Dakota State College of Science. The victory was also the 500th career win for 21st-year head coach Jeff Jenkins.
Though Blinn bowed out of the tournament in the quarterfinals, the 2022-23 season proved to be a memorable ride for Jenkins and a team led by seven sophomores. Along with its team accomplishments, the Buccaneers also landed two players on the Region XIV all-region and all-conference first teams: Sophomore forward Tiffany Tullis and sophomore guard Hannah Humphrey. Tullis was also named the Region XIV Player of the Year.
“The sad part is that every season comes to an end,” Jenkins said. “I told these kids that you don’t get the chance to go to the national tournament very often, and I definitely don’t take what they’ve done for granted. To get here two years in a row … I’m 50 years old … this may not happen again. I love these kids and I thank them for a special season.”
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
