2026 OVC Basketball Tournament Evansville Schedule

The 2026 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) men's and women's basketball tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4th, through Saturday, March 7th, featuring the top eight men’s and women’s Division I teams in the league.

Now in its ninth consecutive year at the Ford Center in downtown Evansville, the event once again promises four days of intense competition, passionate fan support, and a festival-like atmosphere as student-athletes chase postseason dreams in one of mid-March’s most compelling conference championships.

2026 OVC Tournament Game Schedule

All Times Listed are Central Standard Time

Wednesday, March 4th

Women's session
- Game 1: 1 PM - #5 Little Rock vs. #8 Southeast Missouri
- Game 2: 3:30 PM - #6 UT Martin vs. #7 SIUE
Men's session
- Game 1: 6:30 PM - #5 SIUE vs. #8 Eastern Illinois
- Game 2: 9 PM - #6 Lindenwood vs. #7 Little Rock

Thursday, March 5th

Women's session
- Game 3: 1 PM - Winner of Game 1 vs. #4 Morehead State
- Game 4: 3:30 PM - Winner of Game 2 vs. #3 University of Southern Indiana
Men's session
- Game 3: 6:30 PM - Winner of Game 1 vs. #4 UT Martin
- Game 4: 9 PM - Winner of Game 2 vs. #3 Southeast Missouri

Friday, March 6th

Women's session
- Game 5: 1 PM - Winner of Game 3 vs. #1 Western Illinois
- Game 6: 3:30 PM - Winner of Game 4 vs. #2 Lindenwood
Men's session
- Game 5: 6:30 PM - Winner of Game 3 vs. #1 Tennessee State
- Game 6: 9 PM - Winner of Game 4 vs. #2 Morehead State

Saturday, March 7th

Women's Championship Game: 2 PM - Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner
Men's Championship Game: 7 PM - Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner

As the final buzzer sounds, the 2026 tournament will once again remind fans why the Ohio Valley Conference championship has become one of the most anticipated events of the year in Evansville.