Two Heart Teams Selected in 2026 NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship Field
The NAIA has announced the 64-team field for the 2026 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship, with two programs from the Heart of America Athletic Conference earning bids to the national tournament. Graceland University and William Penn University will represent the Heart in the First and Second Rounds on March 13–14 at campus host sites across the country.
Each opening-round site features four teams competing in a single-elimination bracket, with the site winner advancing to the championship final site in Kansas City, March 19–24 at Municipal Auditorium.
William Penn University enters the tournament as the Heart Conference Tournament champion and will compete as the No. 5 seed in the Orange City, Iowa bracket. The Statesmen will face No. 12 seed, and defending national champions, College of Idaho in the opening round. On the opposite side of the bracket are No. 4 seed Northwestern College and No. 13 seed Taylor University. William Penn finished the season 25–6 overall and 16–4 in conference play. Foday Sheriff was named both Heart Men's Basketball Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.
Graceland University earned an at-large bid after capturing the Heart regular-season title and finishing the year ranked No. 24 nationally. The Yellowjackets finished the season 25–6 overall and 17–3 in conference play. Graceland will enter the Huntington, Indiana bracket as the No. 6 seed and will face No. 11 seed Lindsey Wilson College in the opening round. The other matchup in the bracket features No. 3 seed Huntington University and No. 14 seed Bellevue University. Head coach Todd Lorensen was named Heart Men's Basketball Coach of the Year.
All First and Second Round games will stream live on the Urban Edge Network. Winners from each site will advance to Kansas City to compete for the NAIA Red Banner.
William Penn University – No. 5 Seed
Orange City, Iowa Pool
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First Round: vs. No. 12 College of Idaho (defending national champions)
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Other First Round Matchup: No. 4 Northwestern College vs. No. 13 Taylor University
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Overall Record: 25–6 (16–4 Heart)
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Conference Finish: Heart Conference Tournament Champion
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NAIA Tournament Appearances: 14
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Notable: Foday Sheriff – Heart Men's Basketball Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year
Graceland University – No. 6 Seed
Huntington, Indiana Pool
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First Round: vs. No. 11 Lindsey Wilson College
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Other First Round Matchup: No. 3 Huntington University vs. No. 14 Bellevue University
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Overall Record: 25–6 (17–3 Heart)
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Conference Finish: Heart Regular-Season Champion
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NAIA Tournament Appearances: 3
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NAIA National Championships: 1
Winners of each four-team site advance to the NAIA Final Site in Kansas City at Municipal Auditorium (March 19–24).