LSU Shreveport claims 23rd trip to Nationals, will face Ave Maria

WACO, Texas (March 18, 2026) – LSU Shreveport, after a dominant season in the RRAC, has earned a place in the 88th Annual Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament, set for March 19-24 in Kansas City, Mo.  

 

The No. 13 Pilots will face No. 10 Ave Maria (Fla.) on Friday, March 20, at 2:30 p.m., for their first-ever meeting. Click here for links to live stats and live-streaming.

 

This year marks the Pilots' 23rd trip to the national tournament, including eight consecutive appearances. From 2005-2011, the team finished in the Round of 32, and in 2012, the Pilots reached the Elite Eight. In 2013 and 2018, LSUS finished in the Fab Four round. From 2014-2016, the Pilots reached the Round of 32, and in 2017, the Round of 16. In 2019, 2020 (cancelled), and 2021-2025, the Pilots reached the opening rounds.

 

The Pilots, led by Head Coach Kyle Blanckenship, earned their automatic bid to nationals after capturing both the RRAC Regular-Season and Post-Season Tournament. Posting a 20-2 conference record, they currently have a 28-5 overall record.

 

Ave Maria and Southeastern (Fla.) tied for the regular-season championship in the Sun Conference. Afterward, the Gyrenes captured the postseason title, punching their ticket to nationals. Ave Maria then defeated RRAC's Texas A&M-Texarkana 84-62 in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament. In the second round, the Gyrenes beat Friends (Kan.) 108-102, earning their spot in the Round of 16.

 

Led by Head Coach Jamon Copeland, Ave Maria finished with a 13-3 conference record and is now 28-4.