Members of the University of North Alabama basketball team are in New England today trying to complete a mission.

The Lions, winners of the NCAA Division II South Region tournament, are now in Springfield, Mass., trying to win the school's third basketball national championship.

UNA plays undefeated and top-ranked Bentley, Mass. (33-0), Wednesday night in the Elite Eight tournament in Springfield.

The team left Monday around noon on a chartered flight to the tournament site. Head coach Bobby Champagne said his team will try to balance pleasure with business.

He said he wants the players to enjoy the experience of going to the Elite Eight, while still remembering that their main purpose is to bring home the NCAA Division II national championship.

"I want our guys to have fun and take everything in," Champagne said. "We will go to the Basketball Hall of Fame, take a tour at ESPN and take in some of the other sights. A lot of players never get to experience something as special as the Elite Eight, so we definitely want to enjoy the trip. But our guys also understand that our main goal is to go there and win three games."

UNA is making its first trip to the Elite Eight since the 1995-96 season. The Lions also advanced to the Elite Eight in 1991, claiming the school's second national championship. UNA will be making its eighth appearance in the NCAA quarterfinals.

Bentley is one of two undefeated teams in the Elite Eight. Tipoff for the game is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

"If you look at records, we're probably the lowest seed in the tournament," Champagne said. "There are two undefeated teams and another team with just one loss in the field.

"Regardless of what happens in Springfield, though, we've had a great season. But anything can happen, and we're going there with the mindset of winning it all."

Jeff McIntyre can be reached at 740-5737 or jeff.mcintyre@timesdaily.com.