Postseason 2026 NCAA tournament
Road to Kansas City
64 teams, 8 regions of 8. Each region's conference tournament champions get automatic bids; the rest are at-large picks by the NCAA Power Index (NPI), which also sets the seeds. The 8 regional winners play the finals in Kansas City, Dec. 3–5.
Oct 19
First official NPI
Nov 15
Selection Sunday
Nov 19–22
Regionals, on campus
Dec 3–5
Finals, Kansas City
How to read this
- NPI is our calculation of the NCAA's formula from every D2-vs-D2 result so far: 25% winning percentage and 75% strength of schedule (the average NPI of a team's opponents), with road wins counting more than home wins, a bonus for beating teams above 54, and weak wins dropped once 12 count. New this season, it replaces the old regional rankings. The NCAA publishes the official numbers from Oct. 19; we'll check ours against them.
- In the field is how often a team made the tournament in 300 simulations of the rest of the season (1,364 D2 matches left, played out with our power rating's win chances) and of every conference tournament. AQ is how often it won its conference tournament's automatic bid. Projected seed is its average seed when selected.
- Conference tournaments are simulated as the top 8 by conference record with the higher seed at home; real formats vary. Matches at neutral sites count as home and away as listed.
Atlantic region
CIAA, MEC, PSAC: 3 automatic bids, 5 at-large.
| # | Team | NPI | In the field | Proj. seed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Gannon 14–3 | 60.58 | >99% AQ 56% | 1.4 |
| 2 |  Shepherd 15–2 | 58.91 | >99% AQ 15% | 2.6 |
| 3 |  Fairmont St. 17–4 | 58.81 | >99% AQ 81% | 2.5 |
| 4 |  Indiana (PA) 12–4 | 57.33 | 89% AQ 16% | 4.4 |
| 5 |  Kutztown 16–3 | 56.97 | 28% | 6.7 |
| 6 |  Clarion 12–5 | 55.96 | 59% AQ 6% | 5.7 |
| 7 |  Pitt.-Johnstown 9–5 | 55.59 | 56% | 5.5 |
| 8 |  Shippensburg 12–6 | 54.16 | 57% | 6.4 |
| 9 |  Wheeling 11–6 | 53.99 | 28% AQ 9% | 6.8 |
| 10 |  Fayetteville St. 10–3 | 53.52 | 82% AQ 58% | 5.5 |
| 11 |  Seton Hill 9–6 | 53.49 | 8% | 6.3 |
| 12 |  East Stroudsburg 11–6 | 53.44 | 10% | 6.7 |
| 13 |  Lock Haven 11–5 | 53.30 | 20% | 6.6 |
| 14 |  Livingstone 14–5 | 53.22 | 14% AQ 7% | 7.1 |
| 15 |  Virginia St. 12–7 | 52.95 | 19% AQ 16% | 7.5 |
| 16 |  Concord 13–7 | 50.29 | 9% AQ 9% | 7.7 |
Projected regional
- 1 Gannonvs.8 Shippensburg
- 4 Indiana (PA)vs.5 Fayetteville St.
- 2 Fairmont St.vs.7 Clarion
- 3 Shepherdvs.6 Pitt.-Johnstown
Most likely field, seeded by average projected seed. The higher seed is the home team.
Central region
GAC, MIAA, NSIC: 3 automatic bids, 5 at-large.
| # | Team | NPI | In the field | Proj. seed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Wayne St. (NE) 16–1 | 68.02 | >99% AQ 53% | 1.7 |
| 2 |  Neb.-Kearney 17–1 | 65.25 | >99% AQ 83% | 1.5 |
| 3 |  Missouri Western 15–1 | 64.45 | 89% AQ 7% | 4.2 |
| 4 |  Minn. Duluth 16–1 | 64.21 | 89% AQ 16% | 4.1 |
| 5 |  Emporia St. 15–3 | 61.97 | 70% | 5.4 |
| 6 |  Washburn 17–3 | 61.15 | 74% AQ 6% | 5.6 |
| 7 |  Concordia-St. Paul 12–4 | 61.12 | 67% AQ 13% | 5.3 |
| 8 |  Okla. Baptist 15–4 | 61.12 | 54% AQ 48% | 6.9 |
| 9 |  Southwest Minn. St. 13–4 | 61.07 | 58% | 5.4 |
| 10 |  Northern St. 12–5 | 59.15 | 22% AQ 8% | 6.1 |
| 11 |  Jamestown 13–4 | 57.96 | 1% | 7.3 |
| 12 |  St. Cloud St. 12–5 | 57.71 | 19% | 6.3 |
| 13 |  Pittsburg St. 12–6 | 57.22 | 2% | 7.2 |
| 14 |  Harding 15–4 | 57.08 | 29% AQ 29% | 8.0 |
| 15 |  Fort Hays St. 14–6 | 56.49 | <1% | 7.0 |
| 16 |  Bemidji St. 13–4 | 55.71 | <1% | — |
Projected regional
- 1 Neb.-Kearneyvs.8 Washburn
- 4 Missouri Westernvs.5 Concordia-St. Paul
- 2 Wayne St. (NE)vs.7 Southwest Minn. St.
- 3 Minn. Duluthvs.6 Emporia St.
Most likely field, seeded by average projected seed. The higher seed is the home team.
East region
CACC, ECC, NE10: 3 automatic bids, 5 at-large.
| # | Team | NPI | In the field | Proj. seed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  American Int'l 16–2 | 58.93 | >99% AQ 40% | 2.0 |
| 2 |  Mercy 13–1 | 58.86 | >99% AQ 79% | 1.2 |
| 3 |  Bentley 13–6 | 57.00 | >99% AQ 42% | 2.9 |
| 4 |  Goldey-Beacom 13–4 | 53.41 | 74% AQ 20% | 6.3 |
| 5 |  Southern Conn. St. 12–5 | 53.28 | >99% AQ 13% | 4.9 |
| 6 |  Adelphi 10–9 | 52.70 | 91% | 6.0 |
| 7 |  Jefferson 13–5 | 51.90 | 77% AQ 51% | 6.3 |
| 8 |  Daemen 10–7 | 51.90 | 95% AQ 20% | 5.6 |
| 9 |  Saint Anselm 11–5 | 51.15 | 27% | 6.9 |
| 10 |  Felician 12–8 | 49.77 | 11% AQ 6% | 7.6 |
| 11 |  D'Youville 8–9 | 49.14 | 2% | 7.8 |
| 12 |  St. Thomas Aquinas 6–8 | 47.62 | <1% | 8.0 |
| 13 |  Pace 7–7 | 46.96 | <1% | — |
| 14 |  Dominican (NY) 5–5 | 46.84 | 2% | 8.0 |
| 15 |  Holy Family 7–10 | 46.53 | 18% AQ 18% | 8.0 |
| 16 |  Molloy 6–9 | 45.21 | <1% | 8.0 |
Projected regional
- 1 Mercyvs.8 Goldey-Beacom
- 4 Southern Conn. St.vs.5 Daemen
- 2 American Int'lvs.7 Jefferson
- 3 Bentleyvs.6 Adelphi
Most likely field, seeded by average projected seed. The higher seed is the home team.
Midwest region
GLIAC, GLVC, G-MAC: 3 automatic bids, 5 at-large.
| # | Team | NPI | In the field | Proj. seed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ferris St. 16–0 | 71.65 | >99% AQ 73% | 1.0 |
| 2 |  Grand Valley St. 14–3 | 62.61 | >99% AQ 22% | 2.3 |
| 3 |  UIndy 16–2 | 60.39 | 99% AQ 36% | 3.7 |
| 4 |  Ashland 15–2 | 59.50 | 98% AQ 56% | 4.1 |
| 5 |  Mo.-St. Louis 11–5 | 58.74 | 91% AQ 24% | 5.1 |
| 6 |  Rockhurst 11–5 | 58.19 | 84% AQ 24% | 5.6 |
| 7 |  Ohio Dominican 15–3 | 57.06 | 44% AQ 14% | 6.7 |
| 8 |  Wis.-Parkside 11–5 | 56.86 | 52% | 6.1 |
| 9 |  Lewis 12–6 | 56.78 | 17% | 6.9 |
| 10 |  Davenport 11–4 | 56.76 | 33% | 6.8 |
| 11 |  Saginaw Valley 12–6 | 55.72 | 11% | 7.0 |
| 12 |  Michigan Tech 9–7 | 54.86 | 17% | 6.8 |
| 13 |  Drury 12–4 | 53.60 | 21% AQ 10% | 7.1 |
| 14 |  Walsh 10–6 | 53.33 | 3% | 7.9 |
| 15 |  Findlay 9–7 | 52.22 | 9% AQ 9% | 8.0 |
| 16 |  Northern Mich. 8–8 | 51.92 | <1% | 8.0 |
Projected regional
- 1 Ferris St.vs.8 Ohio Dominican
- 4 Ashlandvs.5 Mo.-St. Louis
- 2 Grand Valley St.vs.7 Wis.-Parkside
- 3 UIndyvs.6 Rockhurst
Most likely field, seeded by average projected seed. The higher seed is the home team.
South region
GSC, SIAC, SSC, and the Puerto Rico independents: 3 automatic bids, 5 at-large.
| # | Team | NPI | In the field | Proj. seed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tampa 14–1 | 65.08 | >99% AQ 15% | 2.6 |
| 2 |  Lynn 15–2 | 63.88 | >99% AQ 44% | 1.8 |
| 3 |  Barry 11–2 | 62.69 | >99% AQ 37% | 2.2 |
| 4 |  UAH 14–2 | 62.17 | >99% AQ 53% | 3.5 |
| 5 |  West Ala. 19–2 | 59.09 | 93% AQ 22% | 5.3 |
| 6 |  Fla. Southern 8–6 | 57.14 | 45% | 6.4 |
| 7 |  Embry-Riddle (FL) 10–5 | 57.04 | 74% | 6.0 |
| 8 |  Eckerd 11–7 | 55.57 | 47% | 6.4 |
| 9 |  Montevallo 11–6 | 54.53 | 10% | 7.1 |
| 10 |  Palm Beach Atl. 9–9 | 53.39 | 5% | 7.0 |
| 11 |  Spring Hill 14–7 | 52.72 | 90% AQ 89% | 7.5 |
| 12 |  Lee 8–6 | 52.15 | 9% AQ 7% | 7.4 |
| 13 |  Rollins 9–8 | 52.03 | <1% | 7.0 |
| 14 |  Nova Southeastern 9–9 | 51.81 | <1% | 7.0 |
| 15 |  Trevecca Nazarene 9–8 | 51.43 | 8% AQ 8% | 7.7 |
| 16 |  Valdosta St. 11–8 | 50.75 | 5% | 7.8 |
Projected regional
- 1 Lynnvs.8 Spring Hill
- 4 UAHvs.5 West Ala.
- 2 Barryvs.7 Eckerd
- 3 Tampavs.6 Embry-Riddle (FL)
Most likely field, seeded by average projected seed. The higher seed is the home team.
South Central region
LSC, RMAC: 2 automatic bids, 6 at-large.
| # | Team | NPI | In the field | Proj. seed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Angelo St. 17–1 | 65.59 | >99% AQ 63% | 1.4 |
| 2 |  Colorado Mesa 13–3 | 61.05 | >99% AQ 56% | 2.0 |
| 3 |  Colo. Sch. of Mines 13–3 | 60.16 | >99% AQ 26% | 3.1 |
| 4 |  MSU Denver 10–6 | 58.46 | 99% AQ 9% | 4.8 |
| 5 |  South Dakota Mines 12–4 | 57.30 | 81% AQ 5% | 6.5 |
| 6 |  DBU 12–3 | 57.29 | 92% AQ 17% | 5.0 |
| 7 |  UCCS 10–6 | 56.79 | 82% | 6.3 |
| 8 |  UT Tyler 13–3 | 55.82 | 75% AQ 6% | 6.0 |
| 9 |  St. Edward's 9–8 | 54.27 | 14% | 7.3 |
| 10 |  Tex. A&M-Kingsville 13–5 | 53.96 | 11% | 7.3 |
| 11 |  Fort Lewis 10–7 | 53.64 | 6% | 7.6 |
| 12 |  St. Mary's (TX) 10–7 | 53.30 | 2% | 7.5 |
| 13 |  Okla. Christian 9–8 | 53.00 | 4% | 7.5 |
| 14 |  West Tex. A&M 8–9 | 52.92 | 27% AQ 7% | 7.4 |
| 15 |  Adams St. 10–8 | 52.75 | 5% | 7.4 |
| 16 |  UT Dallas 8–7 | 51.80 | 1% | 8.0 |
Projected regional
- 1 Angelo St.vs.8 South Dakota Mines
- 4 MSU Denvervs.5 DBU
- 2 Colorado Mesavs.7 UCCS
- 3 Colo. Sch. of Minesvs.6 UT Tyler
Most likely field, seeded by average projected seed. The higher seed is the home team.
Southeast region
CC, PBC, SAC: 3 automatic bids, 5 at-large.
| # | Team | NPI | In the field | Proj. seed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Flagler 16–2 | 62.07 | >99% AQ 77% | 1.6 |
| 2 |  Anderson (SC) 15–3 | 62.01 | >99% AQ 63% | 1.5 |
| 3 |  USC Aiken 12–3 | 58.45 | 98% AQ 23% | 4.4 |
| 4 |  Carson-Newman 14–5 | 57.73 | 97% AQ 11% | 4.6 |
| 5 |  Francis Marion 13–5 | 56.29 | 99% AQ 47% | 4.0 |
| 6 |  Lenoir-Rhyne 11–5 | 54.61 | 71% AQ 6% | 5.9 |
| 7 |  Tusculum 10–5 | 53.36 | 32% AQ 5% | 6.6 |
| 8 |  Newberry 11–7 | 53.07 | 19% | 7.3 |
| 9 |  Emmanuel (GA) 14–6 | 53.00 | 77% AQ 36% | 6.4 |
| 10 |  UNC Pembroke 14–6 | 52.93 | 13% | 6.8 |
| 11 |  Lincoln Memorial 9–7 | 52.71 | 20% | 7.2 |
| 12 |  Wingate 10–7 | 52.49 | 47% AQ 8% | 6.8 |
| 13 |  Converse 11–8 | 51.24 | 7% | 7.8 |
| 14 |  North Greenville 11–8 | 51.10 | 15% AQ 9% | 7.4 |
| 15 |  UVA Wise 8–7 | 50.84 | 4% | 7.4 |
| 16 |  Mars Hill 9–10 | 50.52 | <1% | 8.0 |
Projected regional
- 1 Anderson (SC)vs.8 Wingate
- 4 USC Aikenvs.5 Carson-Newman
- 2 Flaglervs.7 Emmanuel (GA)
- 3 Francis Marionvs.6 Lenoir-Rhyne
Most likely field, seeded by average projected seed. The higher seed is the home team.
West region
CCAA, GNAC, PacWest: 3 automatic bids, 5 at-large.
| # | Team | NPI | In the field | Proj. seed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Fresno Pacific 15–0 | 65.06 | >99% AQ 51% | 1.5 |
| 2 |  CSUSB 14–2 | 63.17 | >99% AQ 36% | 2.4 |
| 3 |  Simon Fraser 10–3 | 61.19 | 98% AQ 44% | 4.2 |
| 4 |  CUI 15–2 | 60.82 | 97% AQ 49% | 3.9 |
| 5 |  Cal Poly Pomona 12–3 | 60.82 | 97% AQ 11% | 5.1 |
| 6 |  Central Wash. 10–4 | 59.47 | 97% AQ 45% | 4.8 |
| 7 |  Seattle Pacific 10–5 | 58.85 | 31% | 7.0 |
| 8 |  Hawaii Hilo 14–5 | 58.30 | 77% AQ 29% | 6.7 |
| 9 |  Biola 12–4 | 57.70 | 34% AQ 5% | 7.1 |
| 10 |  Point Loma 11–5 | 57.26 | 45% AQ 16% | 6.9 |
| 11 |  Alas. Anchorage 11–6 | 56.45 | 15% | 7.5 |
| 12 |  Alas. Fairbanks 11–6 | 56.35 | 3% | 7.5 |
| 13 |  Northwest Nazarene 10–5 | 55.89 | 1% | 7.8 |
| 14 |  Chaminade 10–8 | 54.73 | 1% | 8.0 |
| 15 |  Western Wash. 6–7 | 53.67 | 3% | 7.9 |
| 16 |  Saint Martin's 6–9 | 51.00 | <1% | — |
Projected regional
- 1 Fresno Pacificvs.8 Point Loma
- 4 Simon Fraservs.5 Central Wash.
- 2 CSUSBvs.7 Hawaii Hilo
- 3 CUIvs.6 Cal Poly Pomona
Most likely field, seeded by average projected seed. The higher seed is the home team.