Langston University is in the NAIA national championship game for the second time in the last three seasons on the strength of a run through the tournament that featured clutch play.
The Lions will play Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) tonight at 7 p.m. in Kansas City, Missouri, for the school’s first-ever men’s basketball title.
How Langston made NAIA championship game
The Lions — a No. 4 seed entering the tournament — won a pair of home games against Bethel (Tenn.) and Eastern Oregon before shocking No. 1 seed Oklahoma-Wesleyan 56-55 in the Sweet 16. Langston then held off Rocky Mountain (Montana) 60-55 and Ave Maria in the Fab Four 72-69 in overtime to reach the NAIA final.
Championship game opponents have a history
Langston advanced to tonight’s championship after an overtime win in the Fab Four, setting up a rematch of the 2024 NAIA title game against Freed-Hardeman. Freed-Hardeman previously beat Langston to win the 2024 NAIA crown.
How to watch Langston versus Freed-Hardeman
Fans can watch tonight’s 2026 NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship game between Langston (Okla.) and Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) via the NAIA’s streaming partner Urban Edge Network digital platform.
The championship game will also be streamed online through the NAIA Network at naia.org/watch.
The game is being played at the historic Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
