Sports
2026 NCAA Tournament Berth Tracker: Automatic Bids, Championship Game Times, and Defending Champs
Conference tournaments are underway and March Madness has officially arrived. Teams that win their conference tournaments clinch automatic bids into the 2026 NCAA Tournament, which begins with the First Four on Tuesday, March 17.
Bookmark this page — OutKick will update as automatic berths are locked up through Selection Sunday.
Last updated: Sunday, March 8, 2026 (5:30 p.m. ET). All times ET.
Selection Sunday
The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket is revealed Sunday, March 15 at 6 p.m. on CBS.
Automatic Bids Clinched (5)
ASUN: Queens
Big South: High Point
Missouri Valley (MVC): Northern Iowa
Northeast (NEC): Long Island (LIU)
Ohio Valley (OVC): Tennessee State
University of Northern Iowa Panthers guard Geon Hutchins kisses the MVC Tournament trophy. (Ron Johnson/Imagn Images)
Completed Conference Tournaments
Ohio Valley Conference (OVC)
Championship: Saturday, March 7
Tennessee State def. Morehead State, 93-67
Big South Conference (Big South)
Championship: Sunday, March 8
High Point def. Winthrop, 91-76
Missouri Valley Conference (MVC)
Championship: Sunday, March 8
Northern Iowa def. UIC, 84-69
Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN)
Championship: Sunday, March 8
Queens def. Central Arkansas, 98-93 (OT)
Upcoming Championship Game Schedule
*All times ET
Summit League (Summit)
Championship: Sunday, March 8, 9 p.m. (CBSSN) — Denny Sanford PREMIER Center (Sioux Falls, SD)
No. 1 North Dakota St. Bison vs. No. 3 North Dakota Fighting Hawks
Sun Belt Conference (Sun Belt)
Championship: Monday, March 9, 6 p.m. (ESPN2) — Pensacola Bay Center (Pensacola, FL)
2025 champion: Troy
Southern Conference (SoCon)
Championship: Monday, March 9, 7 p.m. (ESPN) — Harrah’s Cherokee Center (Asheville, NC)
2025 champion: Wofford
Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)
Championship: Tuesday, March 10, 7 p.m. (CBSSN) — CareFirst Arena (Washington, DC)
2025 champion: UNC Wilmington
Horizon League (Horizon)
Championship: Tuesday, March 10, 7 p.m. (ESPN) — Corteva Coliseum (Indianapolis, IN)
2025 champion: Robert Morris
Northeast Conference (NEC)
Championship: Tuesday, March 10, 7 p.m. (ESPN2) — Steinberg Wellness Center (LIU Campus)
No. 1 LIU vs. No. 3 Mercyhurst
*NOTE: LIU clinches automatic bid regardless of result (Mercyhurst is ineligible for NCAA Tournament)
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC)
Championship: Tuesday, March 10, 9 p.m. (ESPN2) — Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall (Atlantic City, NJ)
2025 champion: Mount St. Mary’s
West Coast Conference (WCC)
Championship: Tuesday, March 10, 9 p.m. (ESPN) — Orleans Arena (Las Vegas, NV)
2025 champion: Gonzaga
Southland Conference (Southland)
Championship: Wednesday, March 11, 5 p.m. (ESPN2) — The Legacy Center (Lake Charles, LA)
2025 champion: McNeese
Patriot League (Patriot)
Championship: Wednesday, March 11, 7 p.m. (CBSSN) — campus site (higher seed hosts)
No. 2 Lehigh Mountain Hawks vs. No. 4 Boston University Terriers
Big Sky Conference (Big Sky)
Championship: Wednesday, March 11, 11:30 p.m. (ESPN2) — Idaho Central Arena (Boise, ID)
2025 champion: Montana
Western Athletic Conference (WAC)
Championship: Sunday, March 15, 12 a.m. (ESPN2) — Orleans Arena (Las Vegas, NV)
2025 champion: Grand Canyon
America East Conference (America East)
Championship: Saturday, March 14, 11 a.m. (ESPN2) — campus site (higher seed hosts)
2025 champion: Bryant
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
Championship: Saturday, March 14, 1 p.m. (ESPN2) — Norfolk Scope Arena (Norfolk, VA)
2025 champion: Norfolk State
Big 12 Conference (Big 12)
Championship: Saturday, March 14, 6 p.m. (ESPN) — T-Mobile Center (Kansas City, MO)
2025 champion: Houston
Mountain West Conference (MWC)
Championship: Saturday, March 14, 6 p.m. (CBS) — Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)
2025 champion: Colorado State
Big East Conference (Big East)
Championship: Saturday, March 14, 6:30 p.m. (FOX) — Madison Square Garden (New York, NY)
2025 champion: St. John’s
Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
Championship: Saturday, March 14, 7:30 p.m. (ESPNU) — Gateway Center Arena (Atlanta, GA)
2025 champion: Alabama State
Mid-American Conference (MAC)
Championship: Saturday, March 14, 8 p.m. (ESPN2) — Rocket Arena (Cleveland, OH)
2025 champion: Akron
Conference USA (C-USA)
Championship: Saturday, March 14, 8:30 p.m. (CBSSN) — Propst Arena (Huntsville, AL)
2025 champion: Liberty
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
Championship: Saturday, March 14, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) — Spectrum Center (Charlotte, NC)
2025 champion: Duke
Big West Conference (Big West)
Championship: Saturday, March 14, 10 p.m. (ESPN2) — Lee’s Family Forum (Henderson, NV)
2025 champion: UC San Diego
Ivy League (Ivy)
Championship: Sunday, March 15, 12 p.m. (ESPN2) — Newman Arena at Bartels Hall (Ithaca, NY)
2025 champion: Yale
Atlantic 10 Conference (A10)
Championship: Sunday, March 15, 1 p.m. (CBS) — PPG Paints Arena (Pittsburgh, PA)
2025 champion: VCU
Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Championship: Sunday, March 15, 1 p.m. (ESPN) — Bridgestone Arena (Nashville, TN)
2025 champion: Florida
American Athletic Conference (AAC)
Championship: Sunday, March 15, 3:15 p.m. (ESPN) — Legacy Arena at the BJCC (Birmingham, AL)
2025 champion: Memphis
Big Ten Conference (Big Ten)
Championship: Sunday, March 15, 3:30 p.m. (CBS) — United Center (Chicago, IL)
2025 champion: Michigan
Sports
Cowboys agree to trade with Packers for Pro Bowl defensive lineman: reports
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The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly set to bolster their defensive line with an intriguing trade involving the Green Bay Packers on Monday.
The Cowboys agreed to acquire Pro Bowl defensive tackle Rashan Gary for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick, according to multiple reports. The deal comes as the team lost out on trying to acquire Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders. He was dealt to the Baltimore Ravens last week.
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Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary (52) during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on Nov. 23, 2025. (Jeff Hanisch/Imagn Images)
The Packers selected Gary with the No. 12 overall pick of the 2019 draft out of Michigan. He improved dramatically over the course of seven seasons as he started out as a defensive end, moved to linebacker and then back to the defensive line.
Gary was a Pro Bowl selection in 2024 when he had 7.5 sacks, 47 tackles and a fumble recovery in 17 games. In 2025, Gary played in 16 games. He had 7.5 sacks, 45 tackles and a fumble recovery.

Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52) celebrates after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Nov. 17, 2024. (Daniel Bartel/Imagn Images)
He signed a four-year contract extension with the Packers during the 2023 season. He will be owed $18 million in 2026 and $21 million in 2027.
Dallas was 7-9-1 in the first season with Brian Schottenheimer as the head coach. The team’s defense was shaken up before the season began when the team traded Micah Parsons to the Packers.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer looks on before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on Oct. 26, 2025. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
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The Cowboys were 32nd in points allowed and 30th in yards allowed during the 2025 season.
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Sports
Laporta stopped Messi Barca return to avoid power struggle: Xavi
Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said the club’s president Joan Laporta scuppered the return of all-time great Lionel Messi in 2023 to avoid a power struggle.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner left Barca for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and then two years later moved to MLS side Inter Miami.
“Leo was signed, in January 2023 after winning the World Cup, we got in touch and he told me he wanted to come back,” Xavi told Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia late on Sunday.
“We had the green light from La Liga (financially), but it was the president who threw it away…
“Laporta told me, word for word, that if Leo came back he was going to wage war against him and that he couldn’t allow that. And then suddenly Leo stopped answering my calls because he’d been told that it couldn’t be done.”
Xavi said everything was ready for Messi’s return, there was “no doubt” in a football sense and “we were going to do a last dance, like (former NBA star Michael) Jordan’s”.
Laporta, who resigned as president a few weeks ago to run for re-election this week, suggested Monday former coach Xavi was bitter and said Messi’s father and agent Jorge had told him the superstar had decided not to come back.
“With Xavi I saw we were going to lose and with (current coach Hansi) Flick that we will win,” Laporta said at a presidential debate Monday.
“I understand that (Xavi) is hurt — with the same players Flick wins.”
Laporta said he sent a contract to Jorge Messi who later came to his house and told him that “here there would be too much pressure” if the forward returned.
Messi is Barcelona’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals and won a club-record 34 trophies at Camp Nou.
Laporta also claimed Barca rejected a 250 million euro ($288 million) offer from PSG for teenage superstar Lamine Yamal, reported to have been made in the summer of 2024.
Sports
Transfer rumors, news: Robinson wants Liverpool over United
Liverpool are ahead of Manchester United in the race to land Fulham and USMNT left back Antonee Robinson this summer, while Barcelona won’t let left back Alejandro Balde leave for a move to Old Trafford. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
TRENDING RUMORS
– Fulham and USMNT left back Antonee Robinson favors a move to Liverpool over Manchester United this summer, according to TEAMtalk. Both clubs are expected to be in the market for a new left back at the end of the season, although their transfer plans may hinge upon qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. According to reports, Robinson could be available for around £25 million, as he is under contract at Fulham until June 2028. Liverpool are looking to replace Andy Robertson, while United are planning for life without Luke Shaw.
– Manchester United have been linked with Barcelona left back Alejandro Balde, but the Spanish club won’t let him depart, says Fabrizio Romano. Balde, 22, is considered a key part of Barcelona’s future, and United have signed Patrick Dorgu to play on the left side of defense already. The report claims United will move for a new left winger this summer, while they will also look for central midfielders and a possible addition at center back as well.
– Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Newcastle United right back Tino Livramento, according to Football Insider. City are keen on bolstering their options at right back, with the club yet to find a long-term replacement for former captain Kyle Walker, and Livramento looks to be their preferred option after a fine season for Newcastle. The 23-year-old England international could move for around the £70 million, although nothing has been finalized at this stage.
– Fulham are expected to “accelerate” their efforts to sign PSV and USMNT forward Ricardo Pepi, according to Fabrizio Romano. Pepi suffered a broken forearm while in action for PSV in mid-January but made a scoring return to action this weekend and is keen to move to the Premier League for next season. Fulham were close to agreeing a fee in the region of €37 million ($43.9 million) in January transfer window, but the deal was contingent on PSV finding a replacement, which they could not do.
– Arsenal are ready to send 19-year-old left back Myles Lewis-Skelly on loan ahead of next season, reports Football Insider. The England international has started just one game in the league since January and has found himself behind Piero Hincapié and Riccardo Calafiori after a breakthrough campaign last season. Everton are reported to be interested in bringing him in on a temporary basis.
EXPERT TAKE
2:08
Have Man City got the depth to match Arsenal’s?
Steve Nicol and Alejandro Moreno discuss Man City’s depth after their impressive FA Cup win vs. Newcastle.
OTHER RUMORS
– Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is emerging as a standout summer option for Manchester United. (Ekrem Konur)
– Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, 28, is on the shortlist of Manchester United. (Caught Offside)
– Newcastle United are showing interest in Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Tavernier, who is also wanted by Manchester United. (TEAMtalk)
– Arsenal intend to make Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié‘s loan move permanent for €52 million in June. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Newcastle want to sign Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke. (Daily Mail)
– Netherlands international midfielder Xavi Simons could leave Tottenham Hotspur in the summer. (Nicolo Schira)
– Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle, Inter Milan, Bayern and Dortmund are battling to sign Al Ittihad winger Moussa Diaby. (Fussball-Daten)
– Callum Wilson has agreed to sign a one-year contract extension at West Ham United. The 34-year-old striker is now expected to stay at the club until June 2027. (Telegraph)
– Atlético Madrid chiefs are divided over whether they should make Nicolás González‘s loan transfer from Juventus permanent. The Spanish giants can do so for €32 million this summer. (Calciomercato)
– AC Milan are weighing up a move for Manchester City defender Nathan Aké. The Netherlands international could be available for a cut-price transfer fee, with his current deal expiring in 2027. (Calciomercato)
– Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Rocco Reitz, 23, has reached an agreement to join RB Leipzig. (Sky Germany)
– Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli is getting closer to extending his contract at the club, after rejecting the advances of several Premier League sides. (Nicolo Schira)
– Atlético Madrid are keen on signing Bayer Leverkusen youngster Ibrahim Maza, who could be available for around €35 million. (Ekrem Konur)
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