D3 Basketball: NABC Tournaments Set for Las Vegas, San Antonio

D3 men’s basketball will showcase two new multi-team events during the 2026-27 season, with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division III Tournament series bringing eight-team fields to Las Vegas and San Antonio. The NABC partnered with D3hoops.com for the Las Vegas affair, adding another opportunity for D3 basketball programs to face teams from outside their traditional schedules.

The Las Vegas series is slated for Dec. 21-22, with San Antonio scheduled for Jan. 1-2 at Calgaard Gymnasium on Trinity University’s campus. Each one features two four-team brackets, with every program guaranteed two games: a semifinal and either a championship or consolation game.

Let’s take a closer look at both tournaments, including their respective matchups.

D3 Basketball: Las Vegas Brackets & Matchups

The Las Vegas field features several programs with recent postseason success. Emory headlines the group, reaching the 2026 national championship game after a 27-4 campaign before falling to Mary Washington on a buzzer-beating putback. UChicago, its University Athletic Association (UAA) rival, advanced to the Elite Eight.

The enthusiasm for these tournaments has exceeded our expectations. We have a collection of great teams, competing in attractive destinations. It’ll celebrate all that is great about college basketball. We want an event all fans will tune in for.

— Mike McGrath, UChicago head coach since 1999; NABC Board of Directors member

Randolph-Macon also boasts a sparkling track record. The Yellow Jackets went 27-4 last season and reached the Sweet 16, marking another deep D3 tournament run for a program that captured the national championship in 2022 under coach Josh Merkel.

Meanwhile, Redlands enters following a 24-5 campaign that included a postseason victory over Susquehanna before falling to Hood in the second round.

Bracket 1 (Begins Dec. 21)

Chicago vs. Keene State

Randolph-Macon vs. Wabash

Dec. 22

Championship: Winner of Chicago/Keene State vs. Winner of Randolph-Macon/Wabash

Consolation: Loser of Chicago/Keene State vs. Loser of Randolph-Macon/Wabash

Bracket 2 (Begins Dec. 21)

Elmhurst vs. Emory

Redlands vs. Trine

Dec. 22

Championship: Winner of Elmhurst/Emory vs. Winner of Redlands/Trine

Consolation: Loser of Elmhurst/Emory vs. Loser of Redlands/Trine

D3 Basketball: San Antonio Brackets & Matchups

The Alamo City brings together another collection of programs with robust credentials.

WashU, Johns Hopkins, Trinity (Texas) and WPI all claimed a spot in last season’s D3 men’s basketball tournament, with WashU advancing to the Sweet 16 and Trinity reaching the second round. The Bears also advanced to the 2025 Final Four, their first national semifinal appearance since 2009 and the fourth in program history.

Elsewhere, WPI’s season ended in the opening round against Amherst, while Johns Hopkins fell to TCNJ by one point.

Both events give 16 D3 men’s basketball programs a chance to compete across regions outside their traditional schedules. The NABC described the series as a way to introduce marquee matchups to the Division III landscape.

Bracket 1 (Begins Jan. 1)

Wheaton (IL) vs. Williams

Hardin-Simmons vs. Johns Hopkins

Jan. 2

Championship: Winner of Wheaton/Williams vs. Winner of Hardin-Simmons/Johns Hopkins

Consolation: Loser of Wheaton/Williams vs. Loser of Hardin-Simmons/Johns Hopkins

Bracket 2 (Begins Jan. 1)

Clarkson vs. WashU

Trinity (TX) vs. WPI

Jan. 2

Championship: Winner of Clarkson/WashU vs. Winner of Trinity/WPI

Consolation: Loser of Clarkson/WashU vs. Loser of Trinity/WPI