The GSAC will be represented by four programs in the 2026 NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship, as Arizona Christian, Benedictine Mesa, Hope International, and The Master’s each earned selections to the 64-team field announced by the NAIA.
The four bids highlight another strong season for the GSAC, which will send multiple teams into the national tournament once again. Arizona Christian, Hope International, and The Master’s all qualified for the event in 2025, while Benedictine Mesa returns to the national stage for the first time since 2022.
Play begins with the NAIA Men’s Basketball First Round presented by Ballogy on March 13 at 16 host sites across the country. First-round winners will advance to the Second Round on March 14, with the 16 remaining teams advancing to the final site at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Round of 16 begins March 19 in the historic venue that has long served as the home of the NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship.
Arizona Christian
Arizona Christian makes its 12th appearance in the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship and will serve as one of the First & Second Round host sites in Chandler, Arizona. The Firestorm are the No. 2 seed in the Naismith Quadrant and will open tournament play against No. 15 seed Corban (Ore.) on March 13 at 5 p.m. The winner will advance to face the victor between Wayland Baptist (Texas) and Carroll (Mont.) in the Second Round on March 14.
Benedictine Mesa
Benedictine Mesa returns to the national tournament for the third time in program history and its first appearance since 2022. The Redhawks are seeded eighth in the Cramer Quadrant and will face No. 9 Southwestern (Kan.) on March 13 at 5:30 p.m. in Waxahachie, Texas, hosted by Nelson University. The winner will meet either No. 1 Nelson (Texas) or No. 16 Arkansas Baptist in the Second Round on March 14.
Hope International
Hope International will make its 12th appearance at the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship and will also host a First & Second Round site in Fullerton, California. The Royals enter the tournament as the No. 3 seed in the Cramer Quadrant and will take on No. 14 Georgia Gwinnett on March 13 at 7:30 p.m. The winner will face either No. 6 Keiser (Fla.) or No. 11 Oregon Tech in the Second Round on March 14.
The Master’s
The Master’s earned its 15th all-time appearance in the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship and will compete in the Liston Quadrant hosted by Rocky Mountain in Billings, Montana. The Mustangs are the No. 10 seed and will open play against No. 7 Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) on March 13 at 4 p.m. The winner will advance to face either No. 2 Rocky Mountain (Mont.) or No. 15 Simpson (Calif.) on March 14.
With four teams in the national field, the GSAC continues its strong presence in the NAIA postseason as conference programs pursue a berth in Kansas City and the chance to compete for the Red Banner.