Conference co-champion Barton men receive at-large National Tournament bid, 15th seeded runs begins Saturday #GoBarton

The 17th ranked Barton Community College men's basketball team received an at-large bid and the No. 15 seed for the 2026 Credit Union 1 NJCAA Division I National Tournament, as announced during the NJCAA Division I Selection Show late this afternoon.

The KJCCC regular season co-champion Cougars take a 24-9 record into the tournament's opening day, facing fellow at-large selection and 18th seeded New Mexico Junior College (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, making its first national tournament in over a decade, 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 top-seeded Howard College and 12th seeded South Plains College, along with early season wins over Barton's Region 6 counterparts Fort Hays Tech Northwest (by 13 points), Pratt (39), and Seward County (13), as well as a 24-point victory over common opponent NOC-Tonkawa.

Barton most recently made 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. The lone other Region 6 representative in the national field, Butler received the No. 8 seed and a first-round bye, advancing directly to Tuesday's 12:00 p.m. contest against the winner of ninth seeded Snow College and 24th seeded Trinidad State College.

In the tournament's win-or-go-home format, a Barton victory Saturday would advance the Cougars to Monday's 2:30 p.m. second-round matchup against second seeded College of 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 – 8:00 p.m. (Semifinals)
Saturday – 3:00 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
- Note: Higher seed is the home team and will be seated on the east bench
- $83 All-Session
- $17 Session
- Children age 3 and under are fee