3 HBCUs Make NCAA Tournament History

Get ready for March Madness, because this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament features a historic milestone! For the first time since 1994, three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have earned bids to compete. Howard University, Tennessee State University, and Prairie View A&M University are set to make their mark on the tournament, marking a significant achievement for HBCU athletics.

A Return to a Historic Milestone

This remarkable feat hasn’t been seen in over three decades. The last time three HBCU teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament was in 1994, when Texas Southern, Tennessee State, and North Carolina A&T made the cut. Now, in 2026, Tennessee State is joined by Howard and Prairie View A&M, bringing renewed excitement and representation to the prestigious tournament.

Howard University and Prairie View A&M University are both entering the tournament as No. 16 seeds, participating in the play-in “First Four” games that kick off the event. Tennessee State University enters as a No. 15 seed in the 68-team field. This collective presence highlights the growing strength and competitiveness of HBCU basketball programs.

Road to the Tournament

Tennessee State University, making its first appearance in 32 years, enters the Midwest bracket as a No. 15 seed to face No. 2 Iowa State. The Tigers are coming off a strong season, winning the Ohio Valley Conference title—their first since the 1994-1995 season—with a 15-5 conference record and an impressive 23-9 overall record.

Howard University, also a No. 16 seed, will compete in a play-in game against fellow No. 16 seed University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) on March 17. The winner will advance to face the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Bracket, the University of Michigan. Howard secured their spot by winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament Final, finishing the season with a 23-10 overall record and an 11-3 conference record.

Prairie View A&M University, the third HBCU in the tournament, is also a No. 16 seed. They will play Lehigh University in another First Four matchup for the chance to advance and face No. 1 seed Florida in the South bracket. The Panthers posted an 18-17 overall record and a 9-9 conference record, clinching the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Men’s Basketball Tournament championship this season.

Tournament Schedule and Significance

The first round of the NCAA Tournament, featuring the 64-team bracket, begins on Friday, March 21. Subsequent rounds include the second round the following week, followed by the Sweet 16, and culminating in the championship game on April 6. The presence of three HBCU teams is not only a testament to their athletic prowess but also a significant moment for representation and pride within the Black community.