FERRUM, Va. -- The Ferrum College men's and women's basketball teams open play in the 2016 USA South Tournaments this afternoon. Ferrum's women will travel to Maryville, Tennessee, while the men will be in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

Coach Bryan Harvey's women will play as the #3 seed, facing #6 Methodist University in the quarterfinals today at 1:00 p.m. The two teams faced each other once this season, Jan. 16 in Ferrum, with the Panthers winning 53-50. The women's tournament is being hosted by top seed Maryville College. The Panthers are led by Zarkia Mattox (14.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.0 apg) and Kemani Crawford (13.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, .585 FG%). Both players were named to the 2016 All-Conference first team.

Coach Bill Tharp's men will play as the #5 seed, facing #4 LaGrange at 5:00 p.m. The two teams played once already this season, Jan. 30 in Ferrum, with the Panthers winning 100-76. Top seed N.C. Wesleyan is hosting the men's tournament. Ferrum is led by Rashawn Speas (11.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg), Josh Grimard (9.8 ppg), Alek Ayer (9.6 ppg) and Marvin Wilson (9.5 ppg).

The winners of the USA South Tournaments grab the league's automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III Tournaments, to be held in March. Ferrum's women have made four trips to the NCAA Tournament (1995, 2012, 2013, 2014), while the men have made one trip (1992).

2016 Women's Basketball Tournament Maryville, Tenn. Tournament Website Quarterfinals, Thursday, February 25 #6 Methodist vs. #3 Ferrum - 1:00 pm #7 Averett vs. #2 Piedmont - 3:00 pm #5 Greensboro vs. #4 LaGrange - 5:00 pm #8 Meredith vs. #1 Maryville - 7:00 pm Semifinals - Friday, February 26 #6/#3 Winner vs. #7/#2 Winner - 5:00 pm #5/#4 Winner vs. #8/#1 Winner - 7:00 pm Championship - Saturday, February 27 Semifinal Winners - 2:00 pm

2016 USA South Men's Basketball Tournament Rocky Mount, N.C. Tournament Website Quarterfinals - Thursday, February 25 #6 Piedmont vs. #3 Greensboro - 1:00 pm #7 William Peace vs. #2 Covenant - 3:00 pm #5 Ferrum vs. #4 LaGrange - 5:00 pm #8 Averett vs. #1 N.C. Wesleyan - 7:00 pm Semifinals - Friday, February 26 #6/#3 Winner vs. #7/#2 Winner - 5:00 pm #5/#4 Winner vs. #8/#1 Winner - 7:00 pm Championhip - Saturday, February 27 Semifinal Winners - 2:00 pm