March Madness 2026: Your Complete Tracker for Automatic Bids and Championship Game Times

March Madness is Here

Conference tournaments are officially in full swing, and the stakes have never been higher. Those thrilling finales not only determine the champions of their respective leagues but also secure vital automatic bids to the 2026 NCAA Tournament, set to kick off on March 17. For those of you with your brackets ready, it's time to bookmark this page—OutKick will provide real-time updates as teams make their push for the coveted spots in the Big Dance.

Selection Sunday: What to Expect

Mark your calendars! The much-anticipated bracket reveal is scheduled for Sunday, March 15 at 6 p.m. on CBS. Fans will finally see the matchups that will fuel the excitement of this exhilarating tournament.

Automatic Bids Clinched So Far

As of now, five automatic bids have been secured:

• ASUN: Queens
  
• Big South: High Point
  
• Missouri Valley (MVC): Northern Iowa
  
• Northeast (NEC): Long Island University (LIU)
  
• Ohio Valley (OVC): Tennessee State

“These teams have proven their mettle, and I can't wait to see how they perform on the national stage!”

Recap of Completed Conference Tournaments

Let's take a look at some of the most recent championship games:

Ohio Valley Conference (OVC)

Championship: March 7
Tennessee State showcased their strength by defeating Morehead State with an impressive score of 93-67.

Big South Conference (Big South)

Championship: March 8
High Point triumphed over Winthrop, securing a solid 91-76 victory.

Missouri Valley Conference (MVC)

Championship: March 8
Northern Iowa took down UIC, dominating with a final score of 84-69.

Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN)

Championship: March 8
In a nail-biter, Queens clinched the title against Central Arkansas, winning 98-93 in overtime.

Upcoming Championship Game Schedule

Here's a glance at crucial matchups coming up:

Summit League Championship

Date: March 8, 9 p.m. (CBSSN)
Teams: No. 1 North Dakota State vs. No. 3 North Dakota Fighting Hawks
Location: Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls, SD

Sun Belt Conference Championship

Date: March 9, 6 p.m. (ESPN2)
Location: Pensacola Bay Center, Pensacola, FL
Defending Champion: Troy

Southern Conference Championship

Date: March 9, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Location: Harrah's Cherokee Center, Asheville, NC
Defending Champion: Wofford

Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Championship

Date: March 10, 7 p.m. (CBSSN)
Defending Champion: UNC Wilmington

The Road Ahead

This year, the excitement is palpable as teams fight for their spots in one of the most thrilling tournaments in sports. Remember, every game counts! I'll keep you updated as more champions emerge, and I encourage you to share your thoughts and predictions.

Let the Madness begin!