2026 NCAA Tournament: Track Updated Automatic Bids
As March Madness approaches, excitement builds among college basketball fans. The 2026 NCAA Tournament will officially kick off with the First Four on March 17. Conference tournaments are currently underway, with teams competing for automatic bids to enter the tournament. This article will keep you updated on the automatic bids as they are secured through Selection Sunday.
Selection Sunday Details
The NCAA Tournament bracket will be unveiled on March 15 at 6 p.m. ET on CBS. This critical event marks the culmination of a rigorous season for numerous collegiate athletes.
Automated Bids Secured
- ASUN: Queens University
- Big South: High Point University
- Missouri Valley Conference: Northern Iowa
- Northeast Conference: Long Island University (LIU)
- Ohio Valley Conference: Tennessee State University
- Summit League: North Dakota State University
Summary of Completed Conference Championships
- Ohio Valley Conference: Tennessee State defeated Morehead State, 93-67 on March 7, marking its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1994.
- Big South Conference: High Point triumphed over Winthrop, 91-76 on March 8, securing back-to-back championships and NCAA appearances.
- Missouri Valley Conference: Northern Iowa prevailed against UIC, 84-69 on March 8, returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016.
- Atlantic Sun Conference: Queens clinched a 98-93 overtime victory against Central Arkansas on March 8, achieving its first NCAA tournament berth in history.
- Summit League: North Dakota State beat North Dakota, 70-62 on March 8, marking its first appearance since 2019.
Upcoming Championship Game Schedule
Several championship games are set to occur over the next few days.
- Sun Belt Conference: Championship on March 9 at 6 p.m. ET — Troy vs. Georgia Southern.
- Southern Conference: Championship on March 9 at 7 p.m. ET — East Tennessee State vs. Furman.
- Coastal Athletic Association: Championship on March 10 at 7 p.m. ET — 2025 Champion: UNC Wilmington.
- Horizon League: Championship on March 10 at 7 p.m. ET — 2025 Champion: Robert Morris.
- Northeast Conference: Championship on March 10 at 7 p.m. ET — LIU vs. Mercyhurst (LIU has already secured an auto-bid).
This tournament season will continue, leading to the championship of various conferences and ultimately shaping the landscape of the upcoming 2026 NCAA Tournament. Stay tuned for further updates on automatic bids and the progress of teams as Selection Sunday draws near.
