Illinois Wesleyan to Host NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament First Round

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan University men’s basketball team will host the opening weekend of the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Shirk Center on March 6-7, 2026. This marks the first time since 2022 that the Titans will welcome teams to their home court for the tournament’s initial rounds.

Tournament Matchups

Illinois Wesleyan, the No. 12 ranked team, will face Heidelberg University on Friday, March 6, at 6:40 p.m. The other first-round matchup will feature John Carroll University against Grinnell College.

John Carroll’s Road to the Tournament

John Carroll University secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Basketball Tournament by winning the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament. The Blue Streaks will travel to Bloomington, Illinois, to compete in the first round against Grinnell College. Read more about John Carroll’s qualification.

Illinois Wesleyan’s Season

The Illinois Wesleyan Titans are ranked 10th in Division III and are excited to host the tournament. More details on Illinois Wesleyan’s hosting role.

Game Details

The game between Illinois Wesleyan and John Carroll Blue Streaks is scheduled for March 8, 2026, at 00:40 UTC as part of the NCAA Division III Championship. Find head-to-head statistics and game information.

Coverage and Updates

Highlights from the games, including box scores, detailed statistics, and player statistics, will be available on various platforms, including YouTube and Dailymotion. Fans can also find live scores and updates on today’s basketball scores and games pages.