Three Georgia College Basketball Teams Earn NCAA Tournament Bids

Kennesaw State, Georgia men's and women's teams to compete in March Madness

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:04pm

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Kennesaw State University and the University of Georgia men's and women's basketball teams have all earned bids to the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The Kennesaw State Owls secured an automatic bid by winning the Conference USA Tournament, while the Georgia Bulldogs men's and women's teams received at-large bids.

Why it matters

This marks a strong showing for college basketball in the state of Georgia, with three programs representing the state in the prestigious NCAA Tournament. The bids highlight the continued growth and success of the athletic programs at these universities.

The details

The Kennesaw State Owls will be the No. 14 seed in the West Region and will face No. 3 seed Gonzaga. The Georgia Bulldogs men's team earned a No. 8 seed in the Midwest Region and will play Saint Louis, while the Georgia Lady Bulldogs received a No. 7 seed in the Iowa City Regional and will face the winner of the First Four matchup between Virginia and Arizona State.

  • Kennesaw State won the Conference USA Tournament championship on Saturday, March 15, 2026.
  • The 2026 NCAA Tournament begins on Thursday, March 20, 2026.

The players

Kathy S. Schwaig

President of Kennesaw State University.

Mike White

Head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball team.

Dani Carnegie

All-SEC First Team guard for the Georgia Lady Bulldogs.

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What they’re saying

“This historic victory by our men's basketball team is a powerful testament to the grit and determination that define Kennesaw State.”

— Kathy S. Schwaig, President, Kennesaw State University

“We're excited to still be playing. We're honored to represent the University of Georgia in the NCAA Tournament.”

— Mike White, Head Coach, Georgia Bulldogs Men's Basketball

What’s next

The 2026 NCAA Tournament begins on Thursday, March 20, 2026, with the first-round games. Kennesaw State, Georgia men's, and Georgia women's teams will all compete in the tournament, looking to advance through the brackets.

The takeaway

The success of these three Georgia college basketball programs in earning NCAA Tournament bids showcases the strength of the state's athletic landscape. It will be exciting to see how far these teams can go in the tournament and represent Georgia on the national stage.