LANCASTER, Pa.- After securing an at-large bid into the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament, the (RV) Franklin & Marshall men's basketball team (22-5, 10-3 Centennial Conference) confirmed a first-round matchup against (RV) Cortland (23-4, 17-1 SUNYAC) on Friday, March 6 at the Endicott Regional.

The (RV) Diplomats posted a 22-5, 10-3 Centennial Conference record to date en route to securing back-to-back tournament bids under Nick Nichay. 2025-26 marked the third-consecutive season that the Diplomats earned 20-plus victories and an appearance in the Centennial Conference Tournament Semifinal round. The team went on a 12-game winning streak from November 11th through January 10th, tying for the 13th-best winning streak in program history. It's tied for the longest winning streak under head coach Nick Nichay, leveling the late-season winning streak in 2024-25 that propelled the F&M to a Centennial Conference Championship and into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017-18. Notably, F&M ended the season with a perfect 13-0 record at the Mayser Center, marking the program's first undefeated season at the Mayser Center since 2017-18 and 15th overall time staying perfect at home. 

(RV) Cortland cruised past Oswego, 84-51, on Saturday to earn the SUNYAC Championship for the second consecutive time and the ninth overall time in program history. The Red Dragons have posted a 23-4, 17-1 SUNYAC record to date in head coach Maurice Kearney's third season as head coach.

No. 13 Endicott led from start-to-finish of their 87-66 Conference of New England (CNE) Championship game, making use of a game-opening 16-0 run to cruise to the program's eighth CNE title.The win moved the Gulls' active winning streak to 20-consecutive game, while head coach Kevin Bettencourt earned his third conference title and fourth NCAA Tournament berth as head coach. Endicott enters the weekend with a 26-1, 16-0 CNE record, marking the first time a CNE team went perfect in the regular season and conference Championship.

A Donte Dupriest free throw with seven seconds to go confirmed Neumann's second-consecutive Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Championship, as they defeated visiting Gwynedd Mercy, 66-65. This is the fifth conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance for the Knights, which all have come under head coach Jim Rullo. They'll enter the weekend with a 19-9, 8-6 AEC record.

A full preview of the weekend's competition, including ticketing information, will be shared later this weekend. 

NCAA Tournament Opening Round Schedule

Friday, March 7 – NCAA Tournament First Round (Round of 64)
(RV) Franklin & Marshall vs. (RV) Cortland (Time TBD)
No. 13 Endicott vs. Neumann (Time TBD)

Saturday, March 8 – NCAA Tournament Second Round (Round of 32)
F&M/Cortland winner vs. Endicott/Neumann winner (Time TBD)