Troy Wins Back-to-Back Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Championships

The Trojans defeat Georgia Southern 77-61 to earn their fourth NCAA Tournament berth in program history.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Troy University's men's basketball team won the 2026 Visit Pensacola Sun Belt Conference Championship, defeating Georgia Southern 77-61 in the title game. This marks the Trojans' second consecutive Sun Belt championship, making them the first team to accomplish this feat since Georgia State in 2018-2019. Junior forward Thomas Dowd led Troy with 23 points and 13 rebounds, recording his 17th double-double of the season.

Why it matters

Troy's back-to-back Sun Belt titles and return to the NCAA Tournament showcase the program's sustained excellence and ability to compete at the highest level of college basketball. This achievement will raise the profile of the university and the Sun Belt Conference, potentially attracting more talent and interest to the league.

The details

In the championship game, Troy jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, defeating Georgia Southern by a final score of 77-61. Junior forward Thomas Dowd led the way for the Trojans, recording a game-high 23 points and 13 rebounds on 8-of-12 shooting. Troy's victory marks the first time a Sun Belt team has won consecutive conference titles since Georgia State in 2018 and 2019.

  • The 2026 Visit Pensacola Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Championship game was played on Monday, March 10, 2026.
  • Troy will learn its NCAA Tournament seeding and regional destination during the Selection Show on CBS on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 5 p.m. CT.

The players

Thomas Dowd

A junior forward for Troy University, Dowd registered a game-high 23 points and 13 rebounds in the Sun Belt Conference championship game, recording his 17th double-double of the season.

Troy University

The Troy Trojans men's basketball team won their second consecutive Sun Belt Conference championship, becoming the first team to accomplish this feat since Georgia State in 2018-2019.

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What they’re saying

“This back-to-back championship is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players and coaching staff. We're excited to represent the Sun Belt Conference in the NCAA Tournament.”

— Thomas Dowd, Junior Forward, Troy University

What’s next

Troy will learn its NCAA Tournament seeding and regional destination during the Selection Show on CBS on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 5 p.m. CT.

The takeaway

Troy's sustained excellence in men's basketball has cemented the program's status as a Sun Belt Conference powerhouse. Their back-to-back titles and return to the NCAA Tournament will raise the profile of both the university and the conference, potentially attracting more talent and interest to the league in the years to come.