The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2026 men’s and women’s basketball tournament brackets, setting the stage for high-stakes action at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, Ga., from March 9-14.
Tournament Format
Both tournaments follow a standard single-elimination format with 12 teams, starting with first-round matchups on March 9. Winners advance through quarterfinals, semifinals, and a championship final on March 14, with all times listed in Eastern Time.
Men’s Bracket Highlights
Top-seeded Bethune-Cookman earns a bye into the quarterfinals, facing the winner of #8 Prairie View A&M vs. the Game 1 victor (#10 Alabama State vs. #11 Alcorn State) on March 11 at 2:00 PM. #2 Florida A&M meets #3 Southern at 8:30 PM that day, while #4 Texas Southern battles #5 Alabama A&M on March 12 at 2:00 PM. Semifinals are March 13, culminating in the title game at 7:30 PM on March 14.
Women’s Bracket Highlights
Alabama A&M, which ended the season on a 17-game winning streak, gets a first-round bye and plays the winner of Game 3 (#8 Florida A&M vs. Game 1’s #10 Texas Southern vs. #11 Bethune-Cookman) on March 11 at 11:00 AM.
No. 2 Alcorn State faces #3 Alabama State at 5:30 PM, with #4 Southern vs. #5 Jackson State kicking off quarterfinals on March 12 at 11:00 AM—the women’s final tips off at 1:00 PM on March 14.
