Summit League Tournament 2026: Bracket, schedule and championship outlook

There is a rhythm to March in Sioux Falls.

The games stack up. The crowd settles in. And by Sunday night, somebody is cutting down the nets at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.

The 2026 Summit League Men’s Basketball Championship runs March 4–8, with nine teams chasing one automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. North Dakota State earned the top seed. St. Thomas is right behind. And the middle of this bracket is tighter than it looks.

Here is how the week shapes up.

How the Regular Season Finished

Conference record first, overall record second:

1. North Dakota State Bison: 14-2 24-7
2. St. Thomas Tommies: 12-4 23-8
3. North Dakota Fighting Hawks: 10-6 16-16
4. South Dakota Coyotes: 8-8 16-15
5. Omaha Mavericks: 8-8 15-16
6. Denver Pioneers: 8-8 15-16
7. South Dakota State Jackrabbits: 7-9 14-17
8. Oral Roberts Golden Eagles: 4-12 9-22
9. Kansas City Roos: 1-15 4-26

North Dakota State was the most consistent team in the league. The Bison went 14-2 in conference play and finished 24-7 overall. That earns you the top seed and the clearest path through the bracket.

St. Thomas at 12-4 23-8 is right there. The Tommies are eligible for the NCAA Tournament for the first time, which changes the feel of their week entirely.

After that, it gets crowded fast.

Three teams finished 8-8. Another went 10-6. That is where tournaments flip.

The Path to Sunday

All games are played in Sioux Falls, which gives this event a true championship-week feel. No travel. No home courts. Just basketball.

First Round Wednesday, March 4

Oral Roberts vs. Kansas City 7:00 p.m. CT

The winner gets North Dakota State. Not exactly a soft landing.

Quarterfinals Thursday and Friday

North Dakota State vs. ORU/Kansas City winner
St. Thomas vs. South Dakota State
South Dakota vs. Omaha
North Dakota vs. Denver

South Dakota, Omaha and Denver all finished 8-8. That 4-5 matchup could easily turn into the most physical game of the quarterfinals.

North Dakota at 10-6 improved significantly from last year and has already shown it can win in Sioux Falls.

South Dakota State at 7-9 does not have the record it usually carries into March, but tournament experience matters here.

Semifinals Saturday, March 7

7:00 p.m. CT
Second semifinal 25 minutes later

Championship Sunday, March 8

8:00 p.m. CT CBS Sports Network

By the time Sunday arrives, legs are heavy and nerves are real.

Who Is Built for This Week?

North Dakota State enters as the favorite. A 14-2 conference season and 24-7 overall record do not happen by accident. The Bison defend, they control tempo and they close games.

But St. Thomas feels like a team playing with purpose. At 12-4 23-8, the Tommies have been sharp all season and now finally have the chance to play for an NCAA bid.

The middle of the bracket is where the tension lives. South Dakota, Omaha and Denver are separated by almost nothing. North Dakota is capable of making a run. South Dakota State has been here before.

The Summit League tournament rarely feels predictable. It usually comes down to one or two possessions late on Saturday and Sunday.

Five days in Sioux Falls. Nine teams. One spot in March Madness.

North Dakota State holds the top seed. But nothing about this week feels automatic.