IRVING, Texas – The field is set for the 2026 American Conference Men’s Basketball Championship, with South Florida earning the No. 1 seed. The championship will take place March 11–15 at Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama.
South Florida (23–8 overall, 15–3 American) enters the tournament on a nine-game winning streak. It is the second regular-season title in three seasons for the Bulls, who receive a bye to the semifinals Saturday, March 14, at 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
Wichita State (21–10, 13–5), winners of six straight games, earned the No. 2 seed based on tiebreakers. The Shockers also receive a bye to the semifinals and will play Saturday, March 14, at 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
Tulsa (25–6, 12–6) is the No. 3 seed and receives a bye to the quarterfinals. The Hurricanes, who have won five straight games, will play Friday, March 13, at 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
UAB (20–11, 11–7) has claimed the No. 4 seed and a bye to the quarterfinals. The hometown Blazers will play the opening game of the day Friday at 1 p.m. ET/noon CT on ESPN2.
Charlotte (15–16, 9–9) wins the three-way tie for the No. 5 seed. Charlotte will compete in the second round on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT on ESPNU against the winner of Wednesday’s first-round game between No. 8 Memphis (13–18, 8–10) and No. 9 Tulane (17–14, 8–10).
Defending champion Memphis is the No. 8 seed based on winning the head-to-head tiebreaker with Tulane and Temple.
North Texas (18–13, 9–9) is the No. 6 seed and will play in the final game Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on ESPNU. The Mean Green will face the winner of Wednesday’s first-round game between No. 7 Florida Atlantic (17–14, 9–9) and No. 10 Temple (16–15, 8–10).
The championship final is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, at 3:15 p.m. ET on ESPN. All games of the 2026 American Championship men’s tournament will be available on ESPN+.
The winner of the 2026 American Men’s Basketball Championship will receive the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.
2026 American Men's Basketball Championship Schedule
Legacy Arena At The BJCC | Birmingham, Alabama
First Round | Wednesday, March 11
Game 1: No. 8 Memphis vs No. 9 Tulane - 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT | ESPNEWS
Game 2: No. 7 Florida Atlantic vs No. 10 Temple - 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Second Round | Thursday, March 12
Game 3: Game 1 Winner vs No. 5 Charlotte - 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT | ESPNU
Game 4: Game 2 Winner vs No. 6 North Texas - 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT | ESPNU
Quarterfinals | Friday, March 13
Game 5: Game 3 Winner vs No. 4 UAB - 1 p.m. ET/Noon CT | ESPN2
Game 6: Game 4 Winner vs No. 3 Tulsa - 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT | ESPN2
Semifinals | Saturday, March 14
Game 7: Game 5 Winner vs No. 1 South Florida - 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT | ESPN2
Game 8: Game 6 Winner vs No. 2 Wichita State - 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT | ESPN2
Final | Sunday, March 15
Game 9: Game 7 Winner vs Game 8 Winner - 3:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. | ESPN