Belmont Aims for Big Dance Bid at MVC Tournament

The Bruins are the top seed as they look to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Belmont University's men's basketball team is the No. 1 seed in this week's Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, putting them in position to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, also known as the "Big Dance." The Bruins, who play in the MVC after previously competing in the Ohio Valley Conference, are looking to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2021.

Why it matters

Belmont has been a consistent contender in mid-major conferences, but has struggled to break through to the NCAA Tournament in recent years. A conference tournament title would give the Bruins an opportunity to compete on the national stage and potentially make a deep run in the Big Dance.

The details

Belmont finished the regular season with a 24-7 record and won the MVC regular season title. The Bruins are led by senior guard Nick Muszynski, who was named the MVC Player of the Year after averaging 16.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Belmont will face the winner of the opening round game between Drake and Illinois State in the MVC Tournament semifinals.

  • The 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament is taking place this week.
  • Belmont is the No. 1 seed in the tournament.

The players

Belmont University

A private university in Nashville, Tennessee that competes in the Missouri Valley Conference for men's basketball.

Nick Muszynski

The senior guard for Belmont who was named the MVC Player of the Year after a standout regular season.

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What they’re saying

“We've been working hard all season to put ourselves in this position. Now it's time to finish the job and punch our ticket to the NCAA Tournament.”

— Nick Muszynski, Senior Guard, Belmont University (Belmont Athletics)

What’s next

If Belmont wins the MVC Tournament, they will receive an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

The takeaway

Belmont's consistent success in the mid-major ranks has them poised to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance in five years. A conference tournament title would validate their regular season dominance and give the Bruins a chance to prove themselves on the national stage.