High Point University basketball teams earn NCAA Tournament bids

Both the men's and women's teams won their Big South Conference tournaments to secure automatic bids.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:21pm

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The High Point University men's and women's basketball teams both earned automatic bids to the 2026 NCAA Tournament after winning their respective Big South Conference tournament championships. The men's team received a No. 12 seed in the West region and will face No. 5 seed Wisconsin, while the women's team earned a No. 15 seed in the Fort Worth regional and will take on No. 2 seed Vanderbilt in the first round.

Why it matters

This marks the second consecutive year that both High Point basketball programs have qualified for the NCAA Tournament, showcasing the continued growth and success of the university's athletics department. The men's team is looking to win its first-ever NCAA Tournament game, while the women's team aims to pull off an upset as a lower seed.

The details

The High Point men's team finished the regular season with a 30-4 record, the most wins in program and Big South Conference history. They will face a tough test against a Wisconsin squad that is ranked 25th in the NET rankings. The women's team, meanwhile, earned its highest seed ever at No. 15 after posting its best season since moving to Division I, and will take on a Vanderbilt team that is 7th in the NET rankings and 8th in the country in scoring offense.

  • The men's team will play Wisconsin on Thursday, March 21 at 1:50 p.m. in Portland, Oregon.
  • The women's team will face Vanderbilt on Saturday, March 23 at 7 p.m. in Nashville, Tennessee.

The players

Flynn Clayman

Head coach of the High Point men's basketball team.

Chelsea Banbury

Head coach of the High Point women's basketball team.

Aaliyah Collins

Graduate guard on the High Point women's basketball team.

Anna Hager

Senior guard on the High Point women's basketball team.

Rob Martin

Senior guard on the High Point men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“It's just a feeling of pride. It's our hard work being shown. But it's pretty cool.”

— Aaliyah Collins, Graduate guard, High Point women's basketball team

“It's awesome to see our name up there, for our little school so to speak. To be on the screen like that, it's awesome.”

— Anna Hager, Senior guard, High Point women's basketball team

“This is not normal, the support we have. That part's unbelievable. We really want to get a win for these fans in this tournament. That'd take it to a whole 'nother level.”

— Flynn Clayman, Head coach, High Point men's basketball team

“It's going to be nice to have us be the underdog for once. The 12 matchup, it does upset people a lot. We know that historically in the tournament. But it's going be nice to shoot our shot and not be the top dog in the game.”

— Flynn Clayman, Head coach, High Point men's basketball team

“We're not just trying to win a game – we're trying to make a real run. We were there last year and went out the first round. We lost so quick – it didn't feel like we really made it. So we're going to try to push that run.”

— Terry Anderson, Graduate guard, High Point men's basketball team

What’s next

The High Point men's team will look to pull off an upset over Wisconsin in the first round, while the women's team aims to make history as the first No. 15 seed to defeat a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

High Point University's basketball programs have reached new heights, earning back-to-back NCAA Tournament bids and looking to make a mark on the national stage. The men's team is seeking its first-ever tournament win, while the women's squad hopes to pull off a historic upset as a lower seed.