Sun Belt conference tournament 2026: Bracket, matchups, standings and the road to March 9

The bracket is set. The regular season is done. Now everything shifts to Pensacola.

The 2026 Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament runs March 3–9 at the Pensacola Bay Center. All 14 teams are in. The championship game tips Monday, March 9 at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

The format gives major advantages to the top seeds, especially the top two, and the final standings show just how tight this league was behind first place.

Final Sun Belt conference standings

Here is how the regular season finished:

1. Troy Trojans — 12–6 (20–11 overall)
2. Marshall Thundering Herd — 11–7 (19–12)
3. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers — 11–7 (19–12)
4. App State Mountaineers — 11–7 (21–10)
5. Texas State Bobcats — 11–7 (19–12)
6. South Alabama Jaguars — 11–7 (20–11)
7. Arkansas State Red Wolves — 11–7 (19–12)
8. Southern Miss Golden Eagles — 9–9 (16–15)
9. James Madison Dukes — 9–9 (17–14)
10. Georgia Southern Eagles — 8–10 (16–15)
11. Old Dominion Monarchs — 7–11 (11–20)
12. Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns — 7–11 (10–21)
13. Georgia State Panthers — 7–11 (10–21)
14. ULM Warhawks — 1–17 (4–27)

Six teams finished 11–7. That is why this bracket feels unpredictable. The difference between the No. 2 seed and the No. 7 seed was minimal over 18 conference games.

The top seeds and their advantage

Troy earned the No. 1 seed and a straight path to the semifinals on Sunday, March 8. The Trojans only need two wins to reach the NCAA tournament.

Marshall, the No. 2 seed, also skips to the semifinals.

That is significant. Everyone else will have to win at least three games in five days. The lower seeds could need four wins in six days.

How the bracket unfolds

Tuesday, March 3

• (12) Louisiana vs. (13) Georgia State
• (11) Old Dominion vs. (14) ULM

Wednesday, March 4

• (9) James Madison vs. Louisiana/Georgia State winner
• (10) Georgia Southern vs. Old Dominion/ULM winner

Thursday, March 5

• (8) Southern Miss vs. James Madison bracket winner
• (7) Arkansas State vs. Georgia Southern bracket winner

Friday, March 6

• (5) Texas State vs. Southern Miss bracket winner
• (6) South Alabama vs. Arkansas State bracket winner

Saturday, March 7

• (4) App State vs. Texas State bracket winner
• (3) Coastal Carolina vs. South Alabama bracket winner

Sunday, March 8

• (1) Troy vs. App State bracket winner
• (2) Marshall vs. Coastal Carolina bracket winner

Monday, March 9

• Championship Game at 6 p.m. CT

Where the pressure points are

The 6 vs. 7 matchup between South Alabama and Arkansas State could be one of the most competitive games of the week. Both were part of the 11–7 logjam and have beaten top teams during conference play.

Texas State as the No. 5 seed is another team to watch. They were strong at home during the regular season and can score in bunches. If they get comfortable early in Pensacola, they could be dangerous.

On the other side, Coastal Carolina at No. 3 feels like a true contender. The Chanticleers have balance and avoid long scoring droughts, which matters in tournament settings.

What feels realistic

If the bracket holds, Troy vs. Marshall on Monday, March 9 makes sense. The top two seeds have the rest advantage and both proved over 18 games that they can win consistently.

But with six teams tied at 11–7, it would not be surprising if a three, four or five seed makes a run.

This is not a top-heavy league. It is a balanced one.

One week. One building in Pensacola. One automatic bid.

Now it comes down to who can handle three or four high-pressure games in five days and still have enough left when the championship tips on March 9.