🏀 College Basketball Conference Tournament Guide 2026: Auto-Bid Tracker, Schedule & Odds
With five conference tournaments crowning champions yesterday, 12 programs have already earned automatic bids into March Madness ahead of Selection Sunday (March 15), and three more spots are on the line today.
Meanwhile, 14 other conference tournaments are in action today with do-or-die games on the slate all week, and our college basketball conference tournament guide has you covered with the key details for every college basketball tournament ... from the Big Sky to the SEC.
🏀 College basketball conference tournament schedule & odds
Conference tournament college basketball odds via our best March Madness betting sites.
| Conference | Dates | Championship game (time, TV) | Tournament favorite/winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southland | March 8-11 | Wednesday, March 11 (5 p.m. ET, ESPN2) | McNeese (-120) |
| Patriot League | March 3-11 | Wednesday, March 11 (7 p.m. ET, CBSSN) | Boston (-126) |
| Big Sky | March 7-11 | Wednesday, March 11 (11:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2) | Idaho (-125) |
| America East | March 7-14 | Saturday, March 14 (11 a.m. ET, ESPN2) | UMBC (-170) |
| SWAC | March 9-14 | Saturday, March 14 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU) | Bethune-Cookman (+200) |
| ACC | March 10-14 | Saturday, March 14 (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) | Duke (-275) |
| Big 12 | March 10-14 | Saturday, March 14 (6 p.m. ET, ESPN) | Arizona (+100) |
| Conference USA | March 10-14 | Saturday, March 14 (8:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN) | Liberty (+290) |
| Big Ten | March 10-15 | Sunday, March 15 (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS) | Michigan (+100) |
| Big East | March 11-14 | Saturday, March 14 (6:30 p.m. ET, FOX) | UConn (-110) |
| Big West | March 11-14 | Saturday, March 14 (10 p.m. ET, ESPN2) | UC Irvine (+160) |
| MEAC | March 11-14 | Saturday, March 14 (1 p.m. ET, ESPN2) | Howard (-300) |
| Mountain West | March 11-14 | Saturday, March 14 (6 p.m. ET, CBS) | Utah State (+190) |
| WAC | March 11-14 | Saturday, March 14 (6 p.m. ET, ESPN2) | Utah Valley (-105) |
| SEC | March 11-15 | Sunday, March 15 (1 p.m. ET, ESPN) | Florida (-150) |
| Atlantic 10 | March 11-15 | Sunday, March 15 (1 p.m. ET, CBS) | Saint Louis (+135) |
| American | March 11-15 | Sunday, March 15 (3:15 p.m. ET, ESPN) | South Florida (-120) |
| MAC | March 12-14 | Saturday, March 14 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2) | Akron (-125) |
| Ivy League | March 14-15 | Sunday, March 15 (noon ET, ESPN2) | Yale (-120) |
| Ohio Valley | Tennessee State 93, Morehead State 67 | Tennessee State | |
| Missouri Valley | Northern Iowa 84, UIC 69 | Northern Iowa | |
| Big South | High Point 91, Winthrop 76 | High Point | |
| ASUN | Queens 98, Central Arkansas 93 (OT) | Queens | |
| Summit League | North Dakota State 70, North Dakota 62 | North Dakota State | |
| Sun Belt | Troy 77, Georgia Southern 61 | Troy | |
| SoCon | Furman 76, East Tennessee State 61 | Furman | |
| Horizon League | Wright State 66, Detroit Mercy 63 | Wright State | |
| Northeast | March 4-10 | LIU 79, Mercyhurst 70 | LIU |
| CAA | March 6-10 | Hofstra 75, Monmouth 69 | Hofstra |
| MAAC | March 5-10 | Siena 64, Merrimack 54 | Siena |
| West Coast | March 5-10 | Gonzaga 79, Santa Clara 68 | Gonzaga |
👑 High-major conference tournaments
Don't miss out on our college basketball picks as conference tournaments get underway.
ACC Tournament (March 10-14)
- Location: Spectrum Center (Charlotte, N.C.)
- How to watch: ESPN, ESPN2, ACC Network
- Streaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Saturday, March 14 (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Defending champ: Duke
- Tournament bracket: Here
Though the ACC isn't what it once was, Duke remains a college basketball power. The Blue Devils have won the ACC Tournament in two of Jon Scheyer's first three seasons and are expected to cruise to another title with Wooden Award odds favorite Cameron Boozer leading the way. If Caleb Wilson is healthy, then maybe North Carolina has a shot at stopping Duke.
Big 12 Tournament (March 10-14)
- Location: T-Mobile Center (Kansas City, Mo.)
- How to watch: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Saturday, March 14 (6 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Defending champ: Houston
- Tournament bracket: Here
Despite Arizona losing its undefeated season, the Wildcats are clearly one of the three best teams in the country. Tommy Lloyd has won two Pac-12 Tournaments with Arizona and will be expected to win his first Big 12 Tournament this season. However, the Big 12 is top-heavy with Houston, Iowa State, Texas Tech, and Kansas all looking like worthy challengers.
Big East Tournament (Match 11-14)
- Location: Madison Square Garden (New York City)
- How to watch: FOX, FS1, NBCSN, Peacock
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Saturday, March 14 (6:30 p.m. ET, FOX)
- Defending champ: St. John's
- Tournament bracket: Here
A Big East Tournament win should guarantee UConn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies have already proven to be decisively better than their biggest competition after destroying St. John's on Feb. 25. It's a down year in the Big East, with Villanova being the only other team projected to make the NCAA Tournament.
Big Ten Tournament (March 10-15)
- Location: United Center (Chicago)
- How to watch: CBS, Big Ten Network, NBCSN, Peacock
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Sunday, March 15 (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
- Defending champ: Michigan
- Tournament bracket: Here
The Big Ten is the best hoops conference this season, with Michigan atop the March Madness odds. But a second straight Big Ten Tournament win will be a tall task for Dusty May's program, with the conference being home to four other teams expected to earn top-three seeds. Could Illinois, Michigan State, Nebraska, or Purdue get revenge on the Wolverines?
SEC Tournament (March 11-15)
- Location: Bridgestone Arena (Nashville)
- How to watch: ESPN, SEC Network
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Sunday, March 15 (1 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Defending champ: Florida
- Tournament bracket: Here
It looked like Florida might be dealing with a March Madness hangover after winning the NCAA Tournament last season, but Todd Golden's team has been dominant down the stretch. Florida is clearly the best team in an SEC that's been underwhelming, even with 10 teams projected to make the NCAA Tournament. The Gators' toughest competition is Alabama and Vanderbilt.
👠 Mid-major conference tournaments
There are 26 mid-major conference tournaments, with the winner of each earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
America East Tournament (March 7-11)
- Location: Higher seeds host
- How to watch: ESPN2, ESPN+
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Saturday, March 14 (11 a.m. ET, ESPN2)
- Defending champ: Bryant
- Tournament bracket: Here
American Tournament (March 11-15)
- Location: Legacy Arena (Birmingham, Ala.)
- How to watch: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Sunday, March 15 (3:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Defending champ: Memphis
- Tournament bracket: Here
A10 Tournament (March 11-15)
- Location: PPG Paints Arena (Pittsburgh)
- How to watch: CBS, CBSSN, CNBC, USA
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Sunday, March 15 (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
- Defending champ: VCU
- Tournament bracket: Here
ASUN Tournament (March 4-8)
- Champion: Queens
- Championship game: Queens 98, Central Arkansas 93 (OT)
- Location: Swisher Gymnasium (Round 1)/VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (Jacksonville, Fla.)
- Tournament bracket: Here
Big Sky Tournament (March 7-11)
- Location: Idaho Central Arena (Boise, Idaho)
- How to watch: ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Wednesday, March 11 (11:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
- Defending champ: Montana
- Tournament bracket: Here
Big South Tournament (March 4-8)
- Champion: High Point
- Championship game: High Point 91, Winthrop 76
- Location: Freedom Hall Civic Center (Johnson City, Tenn.)
- Tournament bracket: Here
Big West Tournament (March 11-14)
- Location: Lee’s Family Forum (Henderson, Nev.)
- How to watch: ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Saturday, March 14 (10 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
- Defending champ: UC San Diego
- Tournament bracket: Here
CAA Tournament (March 6-10)
- Champion: Hofstra
- Championship game: Hofstra 75, Monmouth 69
- Location: CareFirst Arena (Washington, D.C.)
- Tournament bracket: Here
Conference USA Tournament (March 10-14)
- Location: Propst Arena (Huntsville, Ala.)
- How to watch: ESPN+, CBSSN
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Saturday, March 14 (8:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN)
- Defending champ: Liberty
- Tournament bracket: Here
Horizon League Tournament (March 2-10)
- Champion: Wright State
- Championship game: Wright State 66, Detroit Mercy 63
- Location: Higher seeds host (play-in, Round 1)/Corteva Coliseum (Indianapolis)
- Tournament bracket: Here
Ivy League Tournament (March 14-15)
- Location: Newman Arena (Ithaca, N.Y.)
- How to watch: ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Sunday, March 15 (noon ET, ESPN2)
- Defending champ: Yale
- Tournament bracket: Here
MAAC Tournament (March 5-10)
- Champion: Siena
- Championship game: Siena 64, Merrimack 54
- Location: Boardwalk Hall (Atlantic City, N.J.)
- Tournament bracket: Here
MAC Tournament (March 12-14)
- Location: Rocket Arena (Cleveland)
- How to watch: ESPN2, ESPN+, CBSSN
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Saturday, March 14 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
- Defending champ: Akron
- Tournament bracket: Here
MEAC Tournament (March 11-14)
- Location: Norfolk Scope Arena (Norfolk, Va.)
- How to watch: ESPN2, ESPN+
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Saturday, March 14 (1 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
- Defending champ: Norfolk State
- Tournament bracket: Here
Missouri Valley Tournament (March 5-8)
- Champion: Northern Iowa
- Championship game: Northern Iowa 84, UIC 69
- Location: Enterprise Center (St. Louis)
- Tournament bracket: Here
Mountain West Tournament (March 11-14)
- Location: Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas)
- How to watch: CBS, CBSSN, Mountain West Network
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Saturday, March 14 (6 p.m. ET, CBS)
- Defending champ: Colorado State
- Tournament bracket: Here
Northeast Tournament (March 4-10)
- Champion: LIU
- Championship game: LIU 79, Mercyhurst 70
- Location: Higher seeds host
- Tournament bracket: Here
Ohio Valley Tournament (March 4-7)
- Champion: Tennessee State
- Championship game: Tennessee State 93, Morehead State 67
- Location: Ford Center (Evansville, Ind.)
- Tournament bracket: Here
Patriot League Tournament (March 3-11)
- Location: Higher seeds host
- How to watch: CBSSN, ESPN+
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Wednesday, March 11 (7 p.m. ET, CBSSN)
- Defending champ: American
- Tournament bracket: Here
SoCon Tournament (March 6-9)
- Champion: Furman
- Championship game: Furman 76, East Tennessee State 61
- Location: Harrah’s Cherokee Center (Asheville, N.C.)
- Tournament bracket: Here
Southland Tournament (March 8-11)
- Location: Townsley Law Arena (Lake Charles, La.)
- How to watch: ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Wednesday, March 11 (5 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
- Defending champ: McNeese
- Tournament bracket: Here
SWAC Tournament (March 9-14)
- Location: Gateway Center Arena (Atlanta)
- How to watch: ESPNU, ESPN+
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Saturday, March 14 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
- Defending champ: Alabama State
- Tournament bracket: Here
Summit League Tournament (March 4-8)
- Champion: North Dakota State
- Championship game: North Dakota State 70, North Dakota 62
- Location: Denny Sanford Premier Center (Sioux Falls, S.D.)
- Tournament bracket: Here
Sun Belt Tournament (March 3-9)
- Champion: Troy
- Championship game: Troy 77, Georgia Southern 61
- Location: Pensacola Bay Center (Pensacola, Fla.)
- Tournament bracket: Here
West Coast Tournament (March 5-10)
- Champion: Gonzaga
- Championship game: Gonzaga 79, Santa Clara 68
- Location: Orleans Arena (Las Vegas)
- Tournament bracket: Here
WAC Tournament (March 11-14)
- Location: Orleans Arena (Las Vegas)
- How to watch: ESPN2, ESPN+
- Steaming: Fubo
- Championship game: Saturday, March 14 (11:59 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
- Defending champ: Grand Canyon
- Tournament bracket: Here
🎟️ Who's in March Madness? 2026 automatic bids
Conference tournament champions that earn automatic bids will be updated as conference tournaments conclude (seed projections via Bracket Matrix).
| Conference | 2026 champion (auto bid) | Projected NCAA Tournament seed |
|---|---|---|
| America East | TBD | TBD |
| American | TBD | TBD |
| ASUN | Queens | No. 15 |
| A10 | TBD | TBD |
| ACC | TBD | TBD |
| Big 12 | TBD | TBD |
| Big East | TBD | TBD |
| Big Sky | TBD | TBD |
| Big South | High Point | No. 12 |
| Big Ten | TBD | TBD |
| Big West | TBD | TBD |
| CAA | Hofstra | No. 13 |
| Conference USA | TBD | TBD |
| Horizon League | Wright State | No. 14 |
| Ivy League | TBD | TBD |
| MAAC | Siena | No. 15 |
| MAC | TBD | TBD |
| MEAC | TBD | TBD |
| Missouri Valley | Northern Iowa | No. 13 |
| Mountain West | TBD | TBD |
| Northeast | LIU | No. 16 |
| Ohio Valley | Tennessee State | No. 16 |
| Patriot League | TBD | TBD |
| SEC | TBD | TBD |
| SoCon | Furman | No. 15 |
| Southland | TBD | TBD |
| SWAC | TBD | TBD |
| Summit League | North Dakota State | No. 14 |
| Sun Belt | Troy | No. 14 |
| West Coast | Gonzaga | No. 3 |
| WAC | TBD | TBD |
❓ College basketball conference tournament FAQs
When does the ACC Tournament start?
The ACC Tournament begins with the first round on March 10. The second round is March 11, the quarterfinals are March 12, the semifinals are March 13, and the championship game is March 14 (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
When does the Big 12 Tournament start?
The Big 12 Tournament begins with the first round on March 10. The second round is March 11, the quarterfinals are March 12, the semifinals are March 13, and the championship game is March 14 (6 p.m. ET, ESPN).
When does the Big East Tournament start?
The Big East Tournament begins with the first round on March 11. The quarterfinals are March 12, the semifinals are March 13, and the championship game is March 14 (6:30 p.m. ET, FOX).
When does the Big Ten Tournament start?
The Big Ten Tournament begins with the first round on March 10. The second round is March 11, the third round is March 12, the quarterfinals are March 13, the semifinals are March 14, and the championship game is March 15 (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS).
When does the SEC Tournament start?
The SEC Tournament begins with the first round on March 11. The second round is March 12, the quarterfinals are March 13, the semifinals are March 14, and the championship game is March 15 (1 p.m. ET, ESPN).
How many automatic bids are there in March Madness?
There are 31 conference tournaments, with the winner of each receiving an automatic bid into March Madness. However, the NCAA Tournament field consists of 68 teams, with 37 at-large bids being selected by the committee alongside the 31 automatic bids.
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