The 2025-26 college basketball season ended with HBCU programs once again earning their place on the sport's biggest stages, led by conference champions from the MEAC and SWAC.
Howard Rules the MEAC
The Howard University Bison were crowned 2026 MEAC men's basketball champions, extending a run of postseason success for the program. Their reward was a high-profile NCAA Tournament first-round matchup against the Michigan Wolverines — the kind of national spotlight HBCU basketball has increasingly commanded.
Prairie View Takes the SWAC
On the other side, Prairie View A&M claimed the 2026 SWAC Championship to earn its spot in the NCAA Tournament. The conference also sent programs like Southern and Alabama A&M into postseason play across the NCAA Women's Tournament and the WBIT.
A Deep Division II Presence
Beyond Division I, HBCUs made what one outlet described as an "overwhelming presence" in the NCAA Division II tournament. CIAA and SIAC champions — including Winston-Salem State, Miles College, Fayetteville State, and Morehouse College — carried the banner at that level.
Looking Ahead
The momentum isn't slowing down. The SWAC has announced a new basketball tournament format beginning in 2027, designed to better reward teams that earn winning records during the regular season. Combined with the growing national visibility of programs like Howard, the future of HBCU hoops looks bright.
*Reported by the Urban City Podcast Sports newsroom — urbancitypodcastsports.com. Verified for the 2025-26 season.*