Men’s Bracket Set for the 2026 Air Force Reserve Western Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament

The Tournament Lineup

Utah Valley, fresh off a regular season record of 24-7 (14-4 WAC), steps into the spotlight as the top seed in the 2026 Air Force Reserve Western Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament. This isn’t just any tournament—it’s the stage for the Wolverines to chase their first WAC title and an NCAA Championship berth.

Utah Valley’s Ascent

You might think this is new, but… Utah Valley has been here before. They’ve earned three all-time top seeds in the WAC Tournament, with two consecutive top spots.

Their journey to this year’s title game will be interesting. Will it be a repeat performance or something altogether different?

Quarterfinal Matchups

The quarterfinals kick off on March 12 with UT Arlington (17-13, 9-9 WAC) and Southern Utah (10-21, 6-12 WAC). The victors will meet in the first semifinal on March 13 at 6 p.m. PT, setting up a tantalizing clash for Utah Valley.

California Baptist (23-8, 13-5 WAC) is the second seed, having clinched their spot with wins in 13 of their final 15 games.

They’ll make their tournament debut on March 13 at 8:30 p.m. PT against the winner of the quarterfinal featuring Abilene Christian (13-18, 5-13 WAC) and Tarleton State (14-17, 5-13 WAC).

Opening Round

The tournament’s first round is set for March 11. Abilene Christian races past Tarleton State to start the festivities at 5:30 p.m. PT.

The Finale

The men’s championship game on March 14 at 9 p.m. PT will air live on ESPN2, with the early rounds broadcast on ESPN+. The top seeds have a lot to prove and a long road ahead.

Will Utah Valley’s march continue? Or will another team rise to challenge them?

Stay tuned for updates as this tournament unfolds.