IRVING, Texas – American Conference men’s basketball teams Tulsa and Wichita State will play in the 2026 National Invitation Tournament and will open play Tuesday in nationally televised games.
 
The teams, which tied for second place in the regular season standings, were both selected to the Tulsa Regional.
 
Tulsa (26-7) is the top seed in its region and will host Stephen F. Austin Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
 
Wichita State (22-11), the American Conference Tournament runner-up, is the No. 3 seed and will host Wyoming Tuesday at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.
 
First round play is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, March 17 and 18, with the second round playing March 21 and 22. Quarterfinals will be held March 24 and 25, with four teams advancing to historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for the semifinals on Thursday, April 2. The oldest postseason tournament in college basketball will conclude with the 88th NIT championship game on Sunday, April 5.

The American's NIT Schedule
Tuesday, March 17
No. 3 Wichita State vs. Wyoming | 7 p.m. ET | ESPNU
No. 1 Tulsa vs. Stephen F. Austin | 9 p.m. ET | ESPNU