2026 Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Championship Overview
The excitement for the 2026 Visit Pensacola Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Championship is building. This tournament runs from March 3-9 at the Pensacola Bay Center in Florida, featuring all 14 teams in a knockout format.
Troy University shined in the regular season, finishing with a record of 20-11. The Trojans became the top seed after winning back-to-back titles, adding fuel to their momentum after a 2025 tournament victory.
Six teams tied for second place with 11-7 records, including Marshall, Coastal Carolina, and others, making the competition even fiercer. The new tournament format grants the top two seeds, Troy and Marshall, a bye into the semifinals. Coastal Carolina and App State will skip to the quarterfinals.
Tournament Schedule
The first games begin on March 3. Here’s a quick look at the matchups:
Tuesday, March 3
- Game 1: Louisiana vs. Georgia State
- Game 2: Old Dominion vs. ULM
Wednesday, March 4
- Game 3: James Madison vs. Winner of Game 1
- Game 4: Georgia Southern vs. Winner of Game 2
Thursday, March 5
- Game 5: Southern Miss vs. Winner of Game 3
- Game 6: Arkansas State vs. Winner of Game 4
Friday, March 6
- Game 7: Texas State vs. Winner of Game 5
- Game 8: South Alabama vs. Winner of Game 6
Saturday, March 7
- Game 9: App State vs. Winner of Game 7
- Game 10: Coastal Carolina vs. Winner of Game 8
Sunday, March 8
- Game 11: Troy vs. Winner of Game 9
- Game 12: Marshall vs. Winner of Game 10
Monday, March 9 (Championship)
- Game 13: Winner of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 12
Every game will be streamed on ESPN+, with the championship game being aired on ESPN2 at 6 p.m. CT.
The Bigger Picture
The Sun Belt tournament continues to grow in popularity, reflecting national trends in college basketball. According to recent surveys, interest in conference tournaments is increasing, with 67% of fans planning to attend or watch conference championship games compared to just 54% five years ago.
Experts believe that increased broadcasting and accessibility are driving this curiosity. “Fans want to see competitive matchups and potential upsets,” says sports analyst Jenna Lee. “The excitement of single-elimination formats appeals to both die-hard fans and casual viewers.”
As the tournament approaches, the anticipation is palpable. Whether you’re a fan of Troy, Marshall, or any other team, there’s no doubt this will be a thrilling week of basketball.
For ticket information, head over to Ticketmaster.
Keep an eye on this event, as it promises to be a highlight in the college basketball season!
