2026 NCAA Tournament: Track Updated Automatic Bids
The excitement of March Madness is palpable as teams compete for automatic bids to the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Winning conference tournaments guarantees a spot in the tournament, which begins with the First Four on March 17, 2026. The automatic bids are pivotal as teams aim to secure their place in this prestigious event.
Overview of Automatic Bids
As of March 9, 2026, six teams have already clinched their spots in the tournament:
- ASUN: Queens
- Big South: High Point
- Missouri Valley Conference (MVC): Northern Iowa
- Northeast Conference (NEC): Long Island University (LIU)
- Ohio Valley Conference (OVC): Tennessee State
- Summit League: North Dakota State
The selections are significant milestones for each of these programs, showcasing their progression in college basketball.
Recent Conference Tournament Results
Several conference tournaments have concluded, resulting in exciting victories:
- Ohio Valley Conference: Tennessee State defeated Morehead State, 93-67 on March 7, marking their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1994.
- Big South Conference: High Point triumphed over Winthrop, 91-76 on March 8, achieving back-to-back championships.
- Missouri Valley Conference: Northern Iowa emerged victorious against UIC, 84-69 on March 8, returning to the tournament after a six-year hiatus.
- Atlantic Sun Conference: Queens bested Central Arkansas, 98-93 in overtime on March 8, earning their first NCAA Tournament berth in program history.
- Summit League: North Dakota State defeated North Dakota, 70-62 on March 8, making a return since their last appearance in 2019.
Upcoming Championship Games
The excitement continues with several key championship games scheduled:
- Sun Belt Conference: Troy vs. Georgia Southern on March 9, at 6 p.m. ET.
- Southern Conference: East Tennessee State vs. Furman on March 9, at 7 p.m. ET.
- Coastal Athletic Association: Championship on March 10, at 7 p.m. ET.
- Horizon League: Championship on March 10, at 7 p.m. ET.
- Northeast Conference: LIU vs. Mercyhurst on March 10, at 7 p.m. ET.
- Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference: Championship on March 10, at 9 p.m. ET.
These games will further shape the 2026 NCAA Tournament landscape.
Selection Sunday Details
Fans eagerly anticipate Selection Sunday, scheduled for March 15, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET on CBS. The full bracket will be revealed, showcasing the teams that will compete for college basketball’s ultimate prize.
Additional Championship Schedules
Following Selection Sunday, more conference championships continue through March 15, with notable matches across various conferences:
- Big 12: Championship on March 14, at 6 p.m. ET.
- ACC: Championship on March 14, at 8:30 p.m. ET.
- SEC: Championship on March 15, at 1 p.m. ET.
As the tournament approaches, anticipation builds for the teams vying for glory in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
