Hampton, Va. (Feb. 16, 2024) … Hampton will honor the 2000-01 Pirates Men's Basketball Team at halftime of the Feb. 17 home game against Towson. This recognition will serve as the commemoration of the team's 2023 Hampton Athletics Hall of Fame induction as they were unable to attend the ceremony last year.
 
Coach Steve Merfeld's Pirates finished with a 25-7 record, won both the MEAC regular-season and tournament titles. But it was in the NCAA Tournament that etched their place in Hampton basketball history. The No. 15-seed Pirates upset highly-favored No.-2 seed Iowa State, 58-57, in the first round of the West Regional in Boise, Idaho.
 
With the crowd solidly behind the Cinderella Pirates, Hampton trailed 57-48 with under 5:00 to go. But Hampton scored the game's final 10 points --- including the game-winning basket by Tarvis Williams --- with 6.9 seconds left to lift the Pirates to the biggest upset of the 2001 tournament. It marked only the fourth time a No. 15 seed had beaten a No. 2 seed in the tournament.
                                                             
As Hampton fans poured out onto the court, forward David Johnson lifted a jubilant Coach Merfeld in the air in celebration, a memorable scene in NCAA Tournament history.
 
Members of the team attending the Feb. 17 game with Towson include Jamaal James, Marseilles Brown, Tarvis Williams, LaSean Howard, Mackel Purvis, and Arthimus Howard.

For tickets to Saturday's game, visit hamptonpirates.com/tickets and use promo code 'GOPIRATES' for a discounted price.