2026 NCAA Tournament

Greek Tragedy · January 23, 2026, 07:17:44 AM

https://www.memorialcoliseum.com/events/detail/ncaa-division-iii-mens-basketball

This is the last year the "Final Four" will be played in Fort Wayne. The good news is we get six games as the Elite 8 and Final Four will be played in Fort Wayne with the Final being played in Indianapolis as part of the D1 Final Four and D2 Final the weekend of April 5.

The bad news is that, despite not playing the Final the same weekend, they've kept the Thursday/Saturday format. This means you'll probably need a FOUR night stay, depending on where you're coming from.

The website has been updated to show the 1st Elite 8 game starting at 1 pm with the 2nd 30 minutes after the conclusion of the 1st (standard practice). The two night session games start at 6:30 with the same format. Could be a late night.

Saturday's semi-finals start at 5:30.

Part of the argument for the new Thursday /Saturday format is because you should rest the players for the "biggest game of their lives (the Final)." Well, that's another 2 weeks away. If this is the norm, why not change every weekend to Thursday/Saturday. It can be argued that every tournament game is their "biggest game of their lives."

Anyway, I know it will never change, but that won't stop me from complaining every time I have to book for 3 or 4 nights instead of 2.

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · January 23, 2026, 08:22:53 AM

I suspect if they had more planning, there wouldn't be a rest day. This combined championship got rescheduled because of COVID, so the contracts were already signed. If they'd had four or five year's notice, like usual, it likely wouldn't be this way.

A day off in between for the semis and finals, though, is now standard practice across all d3 sports.

D3BBALL · January 23, 2026, 08:29:08 AM

Greek I Agree, I know they do this every few years, but why not just push the start of the tournament out 1 week, then just do everything the same and then have just the final 4 in Indy.

The way the NCAA is so tight with D3 travel budget this would make more sense and less costly for families.
And the final 2 teams wouldn't be waiting 2 weeks to play a game. No other sport with exception of the Super Bowl in football has a 2 week break to play their final game. Both may be rusty and first half could be sloppy play.
But as you say they will never change.

Greek Tragedy · January 23, 2026, 09:30:17 AM

Quote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on January 23, 2026, 08:22:53 AMI suspect if they had more planning, there wouldn't be a rest day. This combined championship got rescheduled because of COVID, so the contracts were already signed. If they'd had four or five year's notice, like usual, it likely wouldn't be this way.

A day off in between for the semis and finals, though, is now standard practice across all d3 sports.

More planning? Contracts? When did they decide to reschedule because of COVID? 2 or 3 years ago? Now they are planning for 8 teams and 6 games, not 4 teams and 3 games. I'm guessing new contracts had to be signed to accommodate the additional teams, doesn't seem to difficult to go to a Friday/Saturday format. Anyway, I don't know what it takes to plan all that, so I guess I'll just stay in my lane.

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · January 23, 2026, 09:32:45 AM

Quote from: Greek Tragedy on January 23, 2026, 09:30:17 AM
Quote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on January 23, 2026, 08:22:53 AMI suspect if they had more planning, there wouldn't be a rest day. This combined championship got rescheduled because of COVID, so the contracts were already signed. If they'd had four or five year's notice, like usual, it likely wouldn't be this way.

A day off in between for the semis and finals, though, is now standard practice across all d3 sports.

More planning? Contracts? When did they decide to reschedule because of COVID? 2 or 3 years ago? Now they are planning for 8 teams and 6 games, not 4 teams and 3 games. I'm guessing new contracts had to be signed to accommodate the additional teams, doesn't seem to difficult to go to a Friday/Saturday format. Anyway, I don't know what it takes to plan all that, so I guess I'll just stay in my lane.

I suspect they went to Ft. Wayne and said, "can we sign a new contract for one day less," and Ft. Wayne said, "you want us to give you back money you've already agreed to pay? No."

The 2028 combined WBB championship was part of the last bid packet, so we'll be able to see if they plan a Fri-Sat or if they're still doing Thu-Sat. Even though the bid was awarded, I'm not sure if that schedule is publicly available yet.

Yeah, they had to request extra hotel rooms and add staffing hours and catering and stuff for the arena, but the facility charge is definitely the largest cost and probably one Ft. Wayne did not want to give up.

Flying Dutch Fan · January 23, 2026, 09:44:22 AM

So if I interpret this correctly, the concern is really not about what the day off in between does to the players, it's about the fans and having to convince your significant other that you need that extra day away?

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · January 23, 2026, 09:51:13 AM

Quote from: Flying Dutch Fan on January 23, 2026, 09:44:22 AMSo if I interpret this correctly, the concern is really not about what the day off in between does to the players, it's about the fans and having to convince your significant other that you need that extra day away?

It's a pretty significant extra cost for attendees. I do think it affects attendance Thursday, although they care less about that since most people buy a whole weekend pass anyway, regardless of whether they'll be there on Thursday.

Greek Tragedy · January 23, 2026, 10:56:17 AM

Quote from: Flying Dutch Fan on January 23, 2026, 09:44:22 AMSo if I interpret this correctly, the concern is really not about what the day off in between does to the players, it's about the fans and having to convince your significant other that you need that extra day away?

My wife likes to tag along. It's about cost and at least an extra day of vacation I have to use. Friday seems like a wasted day, sitting around or, at least, finding something halfway interesting to do the whole day. Because of the games times, I don't want to get up at the crack of dawn and drive right to the games Thursday and I don't want to leave Fort Wayne at 10 pm and get home at 3 in the morning.

If you've never been to the Final Four in Fort Wayne, now is the time to do it. You get 6 games when you normally would only get 3.

Greek Tragedy · January 24, 2026, 12:54:34 AM

Quote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on January 23, 2026, 09:51:13 AM
Quote from: Flying Dutch Fan on January 23, 2026, 09:44:22 AMSo if I interpret this correctly, the concern is really not about what the day off in between does to the players, it's about the fans and having to convince your significant other that you need that extra day away?

It's a pretty significant extra cost for attendees. I do think it affects attendance Thursday, although they care less about that since most people buy a whole weekend pass anyway, regardless of whether they'll be there on Thursday.

I think I disagree with that. If I'm attending Thursday, I'd probably buy a weekend pass. Some fans may not attend Saturday's games if their team doesn't advance, at least they already have the ticket just in case. If I don't have any intentions of attending Thursday's game for whatever reason, I'm not simply buying a weekend pass. If I don't come Thursday and my team advances, then I'm just buying Saturday's games ticket.

ziggy · January 26, 2026, 10:54:32 AM

Of interest to the topic of this section of the D3 Boards, this week's episode of The D3 Datacast features a conversation with Cam Fuller, chair of the men's basketball committee.

It was great to get a chance to talk with him about the transition from the old regional ranking and primary criteria system to NPI, thoughts on bracketing, and how this year's combined championship creates some new opportunities, potentially including a site hosting both MBB and WBB tournament games on the second weekend.

D3BBALL · January 26, 2026, 12:55:23 PM

Quote from: Greek Tragedy on January 24, 2026, 12:54:34 AM
Quote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on January 23, 2026, 09:51:13 AM
Quote from: Flying Dutch Fan on January 23, 2026, 09:44:22 AMSo if I interpret this correctly, the concern is really not about what the day off in between does to the players, it's about the fans and having to convince your significant other that you need that extra day away?

It's a pretty significant extra cost for attendees. I do think it affects attendance Thursday, although they care less about that since most people buy a whole weekend pass anyway, regardless of whether they'll be there on Thursday.

I think I disagree with that. If I'm attending Thursday, I'd probably buy a weekend pass. Some fans may not attend Saturday's games if their team doesn't advance, at least they already have the ticket just in case. If I don't have any intentions of attending Thursday's game for whatever reason, I'm not simply buying a weekend pass. If I don't come Thursday and my team advances, then I'm just buying Saturday's games ticket.

I agree, it's really up to the individual what they are going to do and how their team does. And players get I believe 2 tickets each to give out. The press is there for free? Not sure how much revenue really comes in at the gate. Obviously two years ago with Trine, and it being within an hour of the arena the place was certainly more crowded than it was last year for either the Thursday games or even the Saturday games. Some of the crowd for the Saturday game was only there because they had like 30 kids playing in the All-Star game and they had some of their family there as well. IMO shouldn't be doing it this way. It's more costly for the schools, the family and again 2 teams are sitting around for 2 weeks. Doesn't make a ton of sense.

deiscanton · January 26, 2026, 04:21:26 PM

In my opinion, going to Fort Wayne for this year's DIII Elite 8 seems only possible if you have the budget to do four to five days in an extended stay hotel such as Homewood Suites. I will never have the budget to spend $1500 to $2000 for travel, hotel, and game tickets for this event, so my only choice is to watch on NCAA Championships Pass/Hudl and ESPN+. If my alma mater (Brandeis men, BTW) ever gets fortunate to make it in the NCAA DIII Basketball Tournament that far ever again, I will just stick to buying that week's custom T-shirt through the Event1 Team Store as a memorabilia keepsake.

deiscanton · January 26, 2026, 04:29:47 PM

BTW, since the DIII Men's Basketball Championship's Final Four for the next 2 seasons after this year will be played at the UMPC Cooper FieldHouse at Duquesne U in Pittsburgh, I would love a future bid for this tournament to be played at URI's Ryan Center in Kingston, RI if the Little East is willing to sponsor a bid for this. 8,000 seats and not too far of a drive from either Boston or New York. Plus, it has been a while since the New England region got to host this event.

Greek Tragedy · January 28, 2026, 04:55:11 PM

8,0000 is way too big. Even Fort Wayne's 4,500 is way too big unless Trine makes the final again.

Greek Tragedy · January 28, 2026, 05:06:41 PM

As mentioned previously, there are two sessions. The 1st session consists of two games, starting at 1 pm. the 2nd session consisting of the other two games, starts at 6:30. I've been told if you want to leave to get a bite to eat, freshen up back at the hotel or just get a break, you'll have to pay the $8 parking fee TWICE. Another ridiculous setup. I do recall the concessions not being terrible, FWIW.