Wright State Raiders Make 5th NCAA Tournament Appearance

The mid-major program from Fairborn, Ohio looks to pull off an upset in the Big Dance.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 9:20am

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Wright State University, a member of the Horizon League, has qualified for the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament as a No. 14 seed. The Raiders are making their fifth appearance in the Big Dance, having previously reached the tournament in 1993, 2007, 2018, and 2022. Located in Fairborn, Ohio, just outside of Dayton, Wright State is named after the Wright brothers, who famously invented the airplane in their local Dayton bicycle shop.

Why it matters

Wright State's tournament appearance shines a spotlight on the mid-major program, which has a rich basketball history dating back to becoming a Division I team in 1987. As a No. 14 seed, the Raiders will look to pull off an upset against a higher-seeded opponent, providing an opportunity for the school and its basketball team to gain national recognition.

The details

In their five prior NCAA Tournament appearances, Wright State has yet to advance past the first round, losing to the likes of Indiana, Butler, and Northern Kentucky. However, the Raiders have proven to be a consistent contender in the Horizon League, winning regular season or tournament titles in 2007, 2018, and 2022. This year's squad, led by standout guard Trey Calvin, will aim to make program history with the school's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory.

  • Wright State became a Division I basketball program in 1987.
  • The Raiders made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1993.
  • Wright State has qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2007, 2018, 2022, and now 2026.

The players

Trey Calvin

The standout guard for the Wright State Raiders, leading the team in scoring and assists.

Wright State University

A public research university located in Fairborn, Ohio, just outside of Dayton. The school's basketball team is nicknamed the Raiders.

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What they’re saying

“Making the NCAA Tournament is always the goal for our program, and we're excited for the opportunity to compete against one of the top teams in the country.”

— Scott Nagy, Head Coach, Wright State Raiders

What’s next

Wright State will face off against No. 3 seed Virginia in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 21.

The takeaway

Wright State's NCAA Tournament appearance showcases the continued growth and competitiveness of mid-major basketball programs, providing an opportunity for the Raiders to gain national exposure and potentially pull off an upset against a higher-seeded opponent.