Northern Iowa, High Point, and Queens Secure Spots for 2026 NCAA Tournament
Three teams clinched their berths for the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, marking crucial victories in their respective conference championships.
The second wave of automatic bids to the 2026 NCAA Tournament has already been punched on Sunday. Northern Iowa, the No. 6 seed, defeated No. 5 seed UIC 84-69 in the Missouri Valley Conference title game, securing their place in the Big Dance for the first time since 2016.
In their last NCAA appearance a decade ago, the Panthers amazed everyone with an upset against Texas with a half-court shot at the buzzer by Paul Jesperson, marking a thrilling finish.
High Point claimed another automatic bid, defeating the No. 2 seed Winthrop 91-76, marking their second consecutive NCAA Tournament entry.
The third bid went to Queens, earning their first NCAA Tournament appearance by defeating Central Arkansas in overtime during the ASUN title game.
Further bids will be contested in the Summit League with North Dakota facing North Dakota State.
Additionally, in a surprising turn in the Patriot League, Boston University upset the No. 1 seed Navy, with Chance Gladden securing the game with a buzzer-beater three-pointer.
Boston University will battle Lehigh in the Patriot League title game on Wednesday.
