Hawaii Draws SEC Champion Arkansas in NCAA Tournament

The Rainbow Warriors will face the Razorbacks in the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:05pm

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The University of Hawaii men's basketball team was selected to play in the 2026 NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament, where they will face off against the Southeastern Conference champion Arkansas Razorbacks in the first round.

Why it matters

This is the first time in over a decade that the University of Hawaii has made the NCAA tournament, marking a significant achievement for the program and giving the team a chance to compete against one of the top teams in the country.

The details

The Rainbow Warriors earned an automatic bid to the tournament by winning the Big West Conference championship. They will be the underdog against the powerhouse Razorbacks, who won the SEC regular season and tournament titles this year.

  • The 2026 NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament will take place from March 18-April 7, 2026.
  • The first-round matchup between Hawaii and Arkansas is scheduled for March 19, 2026.

The players

University of Hawaii Men's Basketball Team

The University of Hawaii's Division I men's basketball team, known as the Rainbow Warriors, earned an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament by winning the Big West Conference championship.

Arkansas Razorbacks

The Arkansas Razorbacks are the Southeastern Conference champion and one of the top-ranked teams in the country, making them a formidable opponent for the Rainbow Warriors in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited for the opportunity to compete against one of the best teams in the country. This is what we've been working towards all season, and we're ready to give it our all.”

— Samantha Kekoa, Head Coach, University of Hawaii Men's Basketball

“Arkansas is a tough opponent, but we're not going to back down. We're going to play our game and see what happens. Anything can happen in the tournament.”

— Keahi Akana, Senior Forward, University of Hawaii Men's Basketball

What’s next

The winner of the first-round matchup between Hawaii and Arkansas will advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, which is scheduled for March 21, 2026.

The takeaway

The University of Hawaii's men's basketball team has made a remarkable turnaround this season, earning their first NCAA Tournament berth in over a decade. While they face a daunting challenge against the powerful Arkansas Razorbacks, the Rainbow Warriors are determined to make the most of their opportunity and prove they can compete with the best teams in the country.