The UT Dallas men’s basketball team is punching its second straight ticket to the “Big Dance” on Saturday after qualifying for an at-large bid to the 2010 NCAA Division III Tournament.

The Comets will square off at 7 p.m. in the Activity Center against the winner of a first-round tournament game between Mary Hardin-Baylor and Wheaton (Ill.).

The 23-5 Comets are making their third appearance on the national stage since 2005.  Last season, they advanced all the way to the Elite Eight of the national tournament, falling in overtime to Guilford College.

The Comets have a 2-2 all-time record in NCAA postseason play.

Should UT Dallas claim a second-round win, the Comets will face the winner of a North region that includes Hope College (21-7), UW-Stevens Point (23-4), Carleton (19-9) and St. Norbert (22-3).