WASHINGTON (March 15, 2026) – The NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee rolled out its 68-team bracket and the Howard University males’s basketball group drew No. 16 UMBC in the First Four. The announcement got here Sunday evening throughout the Selection Sunday present on CBS.
The recreation might be broadcast on truTV as a part of the NCAA Tournament’s opening spherical. The First Four video games start Tuesday (March 17), at 6:40 p.m. ET.
HU takes on the Retrievers (24-8, 14-2 America East) for first time in the Big Dance, fourth assembly all-time. UMBC defeated the Bison, 95-77, a 12 months in the past (Nov. 25, 2024).
UMBC received the America East Regular Season and Tournament titles and earned the league’s computerized bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. The Retrievers knocked off Vermont, 74-59, en route the convention event championship.
Three Retrievers earned America East All-Conference Team accolades: Jah’Likai King (First Team); DJ Armstrong Jr. (Second Team) and Ace Valentine (Second Team). Caden Diggs was named the Sixth Man of the Year whereas Jim Ferry took dwelling Coach of the Year.
Saturday (March 14), HU received the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament title for the third time in 4 years, defeating No. 3 North Carolina Central, 70-63, in Norfolk, Va. It is the sixth-ever convention event win in Howard’s historical past and the program’s fifth-ever NCAA Tournament look.
Howard is led by MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Player of the Year Bryce Harris (Brentwood, N.Y.) and Defensive Player of the Year Cedric Taylor III (Atlanta).
Bison head coach Kenneth Blakeney is in his seventh season at the helm.
For extra data, go to the Bison Athletics web site at www.HUBison.com.
Men’s Hoops Draws UMBC in the NCAA First Four
