HUTCHINSON -- The No. 17 ranked Barton Cougars men's basketball team earned an at-large bid and the No. 15 seed for the 2026 Credit Union 1 NJCAA Division I National Tournament.
The KJCCC regular season co-champion Cougars (24-9) play No. 18 seed New Mexico JC (26-6) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 22.
Barton, which leads the NJCAA in both free throws attempted and made, compiled an impressive résumé throughout the season, going 4-2 against ranked competition, 5-1 against the top four teams in the KJCCC standings, and 8-2 against the conference's top six squads. The Cougars carried a 12-game winning streak into the Region 6/Plains District Championship game before falling to No. 19 Butler.
New Mexico features a tall and athletic roster, ranking among the NJCAA's top five in three-point attempts and turnovers forced. The Thunderbirds own notable victories over No. 1 seed Howard, Texas and No. 12 seed South Plains. New Mexico defeated Fort Hays Northwest (by 13 points), Pratt (39), and Seward County (13), as well as a 24-point victory over common opponent NOC-Tonkawa.
Barton earned its fourth straight appearance in the Region 6/Plains District Championship game, coming up short against Butler after defeating the Grizzlies twice during the regular season. Butler earned the No. 8 seed and a first-round bye. The Grizzlies will play a noon Tuesday against Snow, Utah or Trinidad State, Colo.
A Barton victory Saturday would advance the Cougars to Monday's 2:30 p.m. second-round matchup against No. 2 seed Southern Idaho (31-2).
Barton's Game Schedule (Win-or-go-home format):
Saturday – 2:30 p.m. (First Round)
Monday – 2:30 p.m. (Second Round)
Wednesday – 2:30 p.m. (Quarterfinals)
Friday – 8 p.m. (Semifinals)
Saturday – 3 p.m. (Championship)
All 2026 Tournament games are being streamed live via ESPN+, with the Championship game available on ESPNU. *Streaming service and/or subscription required.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION:
Official NJCAA Championship website: https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/mbkb/div1/index
Tickets: https://www.njcaa.org/tickets
Tickets -- $83 All-Session; $17 Session.
NJCAA 2026
SATURDAY'S GAMES
Daytona State, Fla. 103, 16 Jones, Miss. 74
15 Barton Cougars (24-9) vs 18 New Mexico (26-6)
5:30 p.m.–13 Monroe, N.Y. (27-4) vs 20 Mineral Area, Mo. (21-11)
8 p.m.–14 Gulf Coast State, Fla. (25-7) vs 19 Brunswick (28-5)
SUNDAY'S GAMES
12 p.m.–Snow, Utah (28-4)'vs 24 Trinidad State, Colo. (17-16)
2:30 p.m.–10 Walters State, Tenn. (27-1) vs 23 South Georgia State (23-10)
5:30 p.m.–12 South Plains, Texas (24-7) vs 21 Northern Oklahoma Enid Jets (20-13)
8 p.m.–11 Northwest Florida (25-7) vs 22 Bishop State (17-15)
MONDAY'S GAMES
12 p.m.–1 Howard, Texas Hawks (29-4) vs 17 Daytona State (27-7)
2:30 p.m.–2 Southern Idaho (31-2) vs. Barton/New Mexico winner
5:30 p.m.–4 Trinity Valley, Texas (28-5) vs 13 Monroe, N.Y. (27-4)/20 Mineral Area, Mo. (21-11) winner
8 p.m.–3 Indian Hills, Iowa (30-2) vs 14 Gulf Coast State, Fla. (25-7) vs 19 Brunswick (28-5) winner
TUESDAY'S GAMES
12 p.m.–8 Butler (24-9) vs. Snow, Utah (28-4)/24 Trinidad State, Colo. (17-16) winner
12 p.m.–5 Chipola, Fla. (26-7) vs 12 South Plains, Texas (24-7) vs 21 Northern Oklahoma Enid (20-13) winner
2:30 p.m.–7 Midland, Texas (27-6) vs 10 Walters State, Tenn. (27-1) vs 23 South Georgia State (23-10) winner
8 p.m.–6 Vincennes, Ind. (31-2) vs 11 Northwest Florida (25-7) vs 22 Bishop State (17-15) winner
