2026-27 Men’s College Basketball Early Season Tournaments

USC won the Maui Invitational last Thanksgiving week, but a late-season collapse saw the Trojans miss the NCAA Tournament. | Marco Garcia-Imagn Images

Since teams are now able to schedule up to 32 regular-season games with no multi-team event exemption/requirement—starting with this season—this page will focus solely on bracketed and other multi-day/multi-game events (think Players Era and round-robin tournaments). Since there’s no need to set up scheduling arrangements masquerading as exempt tournaments, there’s no longer a need for me to track what every single D1 program is doing.

Teams may also now participate in more than one tournament per season!

Rainbow Classic

Fri.–Mon., Nov. 6–9: Honolulu 3 games, round-robin

Fri., Nov. 6: Portland (WCC) vs. UT Arlington (UAC); Bethesda (NCCAA) at Hawai’i (MW) Sun., Nov. 8: Portland vs. Bethesda; UT Arlington at Hawai’i Mon., Nov. 9: UT Arlington vs. Non-D1 (Bethesda): Portland at Hawai’i

Showdown in St. Pete

Wed., Thurs., and Sat., Nov. 11, 12, and 14: St. Petersburg, Fla. 1 or 2 games, set matchups

Wed., Nov. 11: Florida A&M (SWAC) vs. Kansas City (Summit), 12 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 12: Kansas City vs. George Mason (A 10), 3 p.m.; Bradley (MVC) vs. Coppin State (MEAC), 6 p.m. Sat., Nov. 14: Bradley vs. George Mason, 12 p.m.

410 Invitational

Thurs. and Sat., Nov. 12 and 14: campus sites 2 games, traditional bracket

Semifinals (Thurs., Nov. 12)

Morgan State (MEAC) at UMBC (AE) Loyola Maryland (Patriot) at Towson (CAA)

Finals (Sat., Nov. 14)

Championship: UMBC at Towson, 7:30 p.m. Consolation: Morgan State vs. Loyola Maryland (at Towson), 5 p.m.

Alabama A&M MTE

Fri.–Sun., Nov. 13–15: Normal, Ala. 2 games, triangular round-robin

Fri., Nov. 13: West Florida (ASUN, reclassifying) at Alabama A&M (SWAC) Sat., Nov. 14: West Florida vs. Cleveland State (Horizon) Sun., Nov. 15: Cleveland State at Alabama A&M

Players Era 8

Tues.–Thurs., Nov. 17–19: Las Vegas 3 games, traditional bracket

Quarterfinals (Tues., Nov. 17)

Florida (SEC) vs. Notre Dame (ACC) Houston (Big 12) vs. Rutgers (Big Ten) Kansas (Big 12) vs. UNLV (MW) West Virginia (Big 12) vs. Auburn (SEC)

Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship

Thurs. and Fri.. Nov. 19 and 20: Nassau, Bahamas 2 games, traditional bracket

Semifinals (Thurs., Nov. 19)

Murray State (MVC) vs. NC State (ACC) Seton Hall (Big East) vs. Wisconsin (Big Ten)

Queen City Classic

Fri.–Sun., Nov. 20–22: Buffalo, N.Y. 3 games, round-robin

Fri., Nov. 20: Western Illinois (OVC) vs. Albany (AE); Mercyhurst (NEC) at Canisius (Metro) Sat., Nov. 21: Mercyhurst vs. Western Illinois; Albany at Canisius Sun., Nov. 22: Mercyhurst vs. Albany; Western Illinois at Canisius

Greenbrier Tip-Off River Division

Fri. and Sun., Nov. 20 and 22: White Sulphur Springs, W.V. 2 games, set matchups

Fri., Nov. 20

George Washington (A 10) vs. UAB (American), 2 p.m. Rhode Island (A 10) vs. Liberty (CUSA), 4:30 p.m.* Richmond (A 10) vs. Western Kentucky (CUSA), 7 p.m.*

Sun., Nov. 22

George Washington vs. Western Kentucky, 2 p.m. Richmond vs. Liberty, 4:30 p.m.* Rhode Island vs. UAB, 7 p.m.*

U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam

Fri.–Mon., Nov. 20–23: Charlotte Amalie, V.I. 3 games, traditional bracket (PDF)

Quarterfinals (Fri., Nov. 20)

Temple (American) vs. Middle Tennessee (CUSA) Indiana State (MVC) vs. Stephen F. Austin (Southland) UT Martin (OVC) vs. Southern Illinois (MVC) East Carolina (American) vs. Utah Valley (Big West)

Charleston Classic

Fri. and Sun, Nov. 20 and 22: Charleston, S.C. 2 games, set matchups

Fri., Nov. 20

Oklahoma State (Big 12) vs. Minnesota (Big Ten), 12:30 p.m. Northwestern (Big Ten) vs. Virginia Tech (ACC), 3 p.m.* Dayton (A 10) vs. Utah (Big 12), 5:30 p.m.*

Sun., Nov. 22

Dayton vs. Northwestern, 1 p.m. Virginia Tech vs. Oklahoma State, 3:30 p.m.* Utah vs. Minnesota, 6 p.m.*

Pensacola MTE

Sat. and Sun., Nov. 21 and 22: Pensacola, Fla. 2 games, set matchups

Sat., Nov. 21: Valparaiso (MVC) vs. Troy (Sun Belt); Nicholls (Southland) vs. Southern Mississippi (Sun Belt) Sun., Nov. 22: Valparaiso vs. Southern Mississippi; Nicholls vs. Troy

Acrisure Series

Sat.–Thurs., Nov. 21–26: Palm Springs, Calif. 2 games, set matchups or bracket depending on pod

Sat., Nov. 21

Fordham (Atlantic 10) vs. Portland (WCC), 2 p.m. UC Irvine (Big West) vs. San Diego (WCC), 4:30 p.m.* Cal Baptist (Big West) vs. Loyola Marymount (WCC), 7 p.m.*

Sun., Nov. 22

San Diego vs. Fordham, 2 p.m. UC Irvine vs. Loyola Marymount, 4:30 p.m.* Cal Baptist vs. Portland, 7 p.m.*

Pod 4 Semifinals

Seattle (WCC) vs. UC San Diego (Big West), 9:30 p.m.* San José State (MW) vs. Loyola Chicago (A 10), 12 a.m. 11/23*

Mon., Nov. 23

Tulsa (American) vs. Oregon State (Pac-12), 2 p.m. Nevada (MW) vs. San Francisco (WCC), 4:30 p.m.* Illinois State (MVC) vs. Santa Clara (WCC), 7 p.m.*

Pod 4 Finals

Championship, 9:30 p.m.* Consolation, 12 a.m. 11/23*

Tues., Nov. 24

Oregon State vs. San Francisco, 2 p.m. Tulsa vs. Illinois State, 4:30 p.m.* Nevada vs. Santa Clara (WCC), 7 p.m.*

Pod 2 Semifinals

Grand Canyon (MW) vs. Saint Louis (A 10), 9:30 p.m.* Stanford (ACC) vs. Colorado (Big 12), 12 a.m. 11/23*

Wed., Nov. 25

Arizona State (Big 12) vs. LSU (SEC), 2 p.m. USC (Big Ten) vs. South Carolina (SEC), 4:30 p.m.* SMU (ACC) vs. Utah State (Pac-12), 7 p.m.*

Pod 2 Finals

Championship, 9:30 p.m.* Consolation, 12 a.m. 11/23*

Thurs., Nov. 26

South Carolina vs. Arizona State, 2 p.m. Utah State vs. USC, 4:30 p.m.* SMU vs. LSU, 7 p.m.*

Military Classic

Sat.–Thurs., Nov. 21–26: San Antonio 2 games, triangular round-robin

Sat., Nov. 21: Air Force (MW) at UTSA Tues., Nov. 24: Army (Patriot) vs. Air Force Thurs., Nov. 26: Army at UTSA

Sunshine Slam

Sun. and Tues., Nov. 22 and 24: Daytona Beach, Fla. 1 or 2 games, set matchups

Sun., Nov. 22: Wyoming (MW) vs. Duquesne (A 10) Tues., Nov. 24: High Point (Big South) vs. Duquesne; Wyoming vs. Kent State (MAC)

Jacksonville Classic

Sun.–Wed., Nov. 22–25: Jacksonville, Fla. 2 or 3 games, set matchups

Sun., Nov. 22

UIC (MVC) vs. Miami (Ohio) (MAC), 12 p.m. Robert Morris (Horizon) vs. New Mexico State (CUSA), 2:30 p.m.* Lamar (Southland) vs. Rice (American), 7 p.m.*

Tues., Nov. 24

Ohio vs. New Mexico State, 11 a.m. Rice vs. UIC, 1:30 p.m.* Robert Morris vs. Lamar, 6:30 p.m.*

Tues., Nov. 24

Rice vs. Ohio, 11 a.m.

Youngstown MTE

Sun. and Mon., Nov. 22 and 23: Youngstown, Ohio 2 games, set matchups

Sun., Nov. 22: Maryland-Eastern Shore (MEAC) vs. IU Indy (Horizon); William & Mary (CAA) at Youngstown State (Horizon) Mon., Nov. 23: William & Mary vs. IU Indy; Maryland-Eastern Shore at Youngstown State

Northern Kentucky MTE

Mon.–Wed., Nov. 23–25: Highland Heights, Ky. 2 games, triangular round-robin

Mon., Nov. 23: Georgia Southern (Sun Belt) at Northern Kentucky (Horizon) Tues., Nov. 24: Georgia Southern vs. Bellarmine (ASUN) Wed., Nov. 25: Bellarmine at Northern Kentucky

Maui Invitational

Mon.–Wed., Nov. 23–25: Lahaina, Hawai’i 3 games, traditional bracket (PDF)

Quarterfinals (Mon., Nov. 23)

Mississippi (SEC) vs. Clemson (ACC) Washington (Big Ten) vs. BYU (Big 12) VCU (Atlantic 10) vs. Providence (Big East) Colorado State (Pac-12) vs. Arizona (Big 12)

Fort Myers Tip-Off

Mon.–Thurs., Nov. 23–26: Fort Myers, Fla. 2 games, preset matchups

Palms Division

Mon., Nov. 23

Northern Iowa (MVC) vs. Davidson (A 10), 11 a.m. Charlotte (American) vs. FGCU (ASUN), 1:30 p.m.* Tulane (American) vs. Georgia State (Sun Belt), 4 p.m.*

Wed., Nov. 25

Northern Iowa vs. Charlotte, 11 a.m. Tulane vs. Davidson, 1:30 p.m.* FGCU vs. Georgia State, 4 p.m.*

Beach Division

Tues., Nov. 24

Pitt (ACC) vs. Oklahoma (SEC) DePaul (Big East) vs. Purdue (Big Ten)

Thurs., Nov. 26

Pitt vs. DePaul Oklahoma vs. Purdue

ESPN Events Invitational

Mon.–Fri, Nov. 23–27: Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Adventure Group (Mon.–Wed., Nov. 23–25)

3 games, set matchups

Mon., Nov. 23

St. Bonaventure (A 10) vs. App State (Sun Belt), 11 a.m. Akron (MAC) vs. Wright State (Horizon), 1:30 p.m.* Yale (Ivy) vs. Belmont (MVC), 4 p.m.*

Tues., Nov. 24

Wright State vs. St. Bonaventure, 10 a.m. Belmont vs. Akron, 12:30 p.m.* App State vs. Yale, 3 p.m.*

Wed., Nov. 25

St. Bonaventure vs. Belmont, 10 a.m. Yale vs. Wright State, 12:30 p.m.* Akron vs. App State, 3 p.m.*

Magic Group (Thurs. and Fri., Nov. 26 and 27)

2 games, set matchups

Thurs., Nov. 26

Georgia (SEC) vs. Cincinnati (Big 12), 11 a.m. Boston College (ACC) vs. UCF (Big 12), 1:30 p.m.*

Fri., Nov. 27

Cincinnati vs. Boston College, 4:30 p.m. Georgia vs. UCF, 7 p.m.*

FIU MTE

Mon.–Wed., Nov. 23–25: Miami, Fla. 3 games, round-robin

Mon., Nov. 23: Southern Utah (Big Sky) vs. Arkansas State (Sun Belt); Long Beach State (Big West) at FIU (CUSA) Tues., Nov. 24: Arkansas State vs. Long Beach State; Southern Utah at FIU Wed., Nov. 25: Long Beach State vs. Southern Utah; Arkansas State at FIU

Cancún Challenge

Tues. and Wed., Nov. 24 and 25: Cancún, Mexico 3 games, traditional bracket + 1 on-campus game

Mayan Division Semifinals (Tues., Nov. 24)

Southeastern Louisiana (Southland) vs. Northern Colorado (Big Sky) North Dakota (Summit) vs. Detroit Mercy (Horizon)

Riviera Division Semifinals (Tues., Nov. 24)

Eastern Michigan (MAC) vs. Kennesaw State (CUSA) UTEP (MW) vs. Charleston (CAA)

On-Campus Games

Tues., Nov. 17: Detroit Mercy at Eastern Michigan Fri., Nov. 20: Southeastern Louisiana at Kennesaw State Sat., Dec. 5: North Dakota at UTEP Fri., Dec. 18: Northern Colorado at Charleston

Players Era 16

Tues. and Thurs.–Sat., Nov. 24 and 26–28 Las Vegas 3 games, traditional bracket, plus overall championship game

Quarterfinals (Tues., Nov. 24)

Left Bracket

Tennessee (SEC) vs. Maryland (Big Ten) San Diego State (Pac-12) vs. Iowa State (Big 12) St. John’s (Big East) vs. Oregon (Big Ten) Louisville (ACC) vs. Texas Tech (Big 12)

Right Bracket

Gonzaga (Pac-12) vs. Kansas State (Big 12) Baylor (Big 12) vs. Alabama (SEC) Michigan (Big Ten) vs. Creighton (Big East) TCU (Big 12) vs. Miami (Fla.) (ACC)

Stony Brook Classic

Tues. and Wed., Nov. 24 and 25 and Fri., Dec. 18(?): Stony Brook, N.Y. 2 games, triangular round-robin

Tues., Nov. 24: New Haven (NEC, reclassifying) vs. Lindenwood (OVC) Wed., Nov. 25: Lindenwood at Stony Brook (CAA, host) Fri., Dec. 18: New Haven at Stony Brook (may not be part of actual MTE)

Resorts World Classic

Wed.–Fri., Nov. 25–27: Las Vegas, Nev. 3 games, round-robin

Wed., Nov. 25: Jacksonville State (CUSA) vs. Pacific (WCC); Omaha (Summit) vs. UC Davis (MW) Thurs., Nov. 26: Pacific vs. Omaha; UC Davis vs. Jacksonville State Fri., Nov. 27: UC Davis vs. Pacific; Jacksonville State vs. Omaha

Live Oak Holiday Classic

Wed.–Sat., Nov. 25–28: Wilmington, N.C. 3 games, round-robin

Wed., Nov. 25: Princeton (Ivy) vs. Liberty (CUSA); St. Thomas (Summit) at UNCW (CAA) Fri., Nov. 27: Liberty vs. St. Thomas; Princeton at UNCW Sat., Nov. 28: St. Thomas vs. Princeton; Liberty at UNCW

Battle 4 Atlantis

Wed. and Fri, Nov. 25 and 27: Paradise Island, Bahamas (PDF bracket/schedule) 2 games, preset matchups (Signature Series) and traditional bracket (Championship)

Signature Series

Wed., Nov. 25

Virginia (ACC) vs. Marquette (Big East), 12 p.m. Texas A&M (SEC) vs. Xavier (Big East), 2:30 p.m.*

Fri., Nov. 27

Virginia vs. Xavier, 11 a.m. Texas A&M vs. Marquette, 3 p.m.*

Championship

Semifinals (Wed., Nov. 25)

Memphis (American) vs. Penn State (Big Ten), 5 p.m. Wake Forest (ACC) vs. Mississippi State (SEC), 7:30 p.m.*

Rady Children’s Invitational

Thurs. and Fri, Nov. 26 and 27: San Diego 2 games, traditional bracket

Semifinals (Thurs., Nov. 26)

Georgetown (Big East) vs. Texas (SEC), 2:30 p.m.* UCLA (Big Ten) vs. Saint Mary’s (WCC), 5 p.m.*

Snake River Invitational

Fri.–Sun., Nov. 27–29: Idaho Falls 3 games, round-robin

Fri., Nov. 27: North Dakota State (Summit) vs. North Texas (American); Drake (MVC) vs. Boise State (Pac-12) Sat., Nov. 28: Drake vs. North Dakota State; North Texas vs. Boise State Sun., Nov. 29: North Texas vs. Drake; North Dakota State vs. Boise State

Brawl on Bourbon Street

Fri.–Sun., Nov. 27–29: New Orleans, La. (Xavier University of Louisiana) 2 games, triangular round-robin

Fri., Nov. 27: Fresno State (Pac-12) vs. South Alabama (Sun Belt) Sat., Nov. 28: South Dakota State (Summit) vs. South Alabama Sun., Nov. 29: Fresno State vs. South Dakota State

Capital Thanksgiving Classic

Fri.–Sun., Nov. 27–29: Washington, D.C. 3 games, round-robin

Fri., Nov. 27: UMass Lowell (AE) vs. Hampton (CAA); Radford (Big South) at American (Patriot) Sat., Nov. 28: Hampton vs. Radford; UMass Lowell at American Sun., Nov. 29: Radford vs. UMass Lowell; Hampton at American

Cathedral Classic

Fri. and Sat., Nov. 27 and 28: Philadelphia (The Palestra) 1 or 2 games, set matchups

Fri., Nov. 27: La Salle (A 10) vs. Bucknell (Patriot), 3:30 p.m.; Towson (CAA) at Penn (Ivy, host), 6 p.m.* Sat., Nov. 28: Towson vs. Buffalo (MAC), 3:30 p.m.; Bucknell at Penn, 6 p.m.*

ETSU MTE

Fri.–Sun., Nov. 27–29: Johnson City, Tenn. 2 games, triangular round-robin

Fri., Nov. 27: Charleston Southern (Big South) at ETSU (SoCon) Sat., Nov. 28: Charleston Southern vs. Morehead State (OVC) Sun., Nov. 29: Morehead State at ETSU

Fairfield MTE

Fri.–Sun., Nov. 27–29: Fairfield, Conn. 2 games, triangular round-robin

Fri., Nov. 27: Navy (Patriot) at Fairfield (Metro) Sat., Nov. 28: Navy vs. Central Connecticut State (NEC) Sun., Nov. 29: Central Connecticut State at Fairfield

Hofstra MTE

Fri.–Sun., Nov. 27–29: Hempstead, N.Y. 3 games, round-robin

Fri., Nov. 27: Vermont (AE) vs. Merrimack (Metro); Colgate (Patriot) at Hofstra (CAA) Sat., Nov. 28: Colgate vs. Vermont; Merrimack at Hofstra Sun., Nov. 29: Merrimack vs. Colgate; Vermont at Hofstra

Lafayette Classic

Fri.–Sun., Nov. 27–29: Easton, Pa. 3 games, round-robin

Fri., Nov. 27: Maine (AE) vs. Le Moyne (NEC); Niagara (Metro) at Lafayette (Patriot) Sat., Nov. 28: Niagara vs. Maine; Le Moyne at Lafayette Sun., Nov. 29: Le Moyne vs. Niagara; Maine at Lafayette

Gratitude Thanksgiving Classic

Fri. and Sat., Nov. 27 and 28: Thousand Oaks, Calif. 1 or 2 games, set matchups

Fri., Nov. 27: Lehigh (Patriot) vs. UC Santa Barbara (Big West) Sat., Nov. 28: Lehigh vs. Pepperdine (WCC)

Fountain City Happy Hour Classic

Tues. and Wed., Dec. 8 and 9: Kansas City, Mo.

Tues., Dec. 8: Denver (WCC) at Kansas City (Summit) Wed., Dec. 9: Sam Houston (CUSA) vs. Denver; Eastern Illinois (OVC) at Kansas City

The Dallas Tournament

Fri.–Mon., Dec. 18–21: Frisco, Texas 2 games, set matchups

Fri., Dec. 18

Colorado State (Pac-12) vs. Nevada (MW) Florida Atlantic (American) vs. Loyola Chicago (Atlantic 10)

Sat., Dec. 19

Utah State (Pac-12) vs. Tulsa (American) San Francisco (WCC) vs. George Washington (Atlantic 10)

Sun., Dec. 20

Florida Atlantic vs. Colorado State Loyola Chicago vs. Nevada

Mon., Dec. 21

Tulsa vs. San Francisco Utah State vs. George Washington

Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational

Sun. and Mon., Dec. 20 and 21: El Paso, Texas

Semifinals (Sun., Dec. 20)

Kent State (MAC) vs. Omaha (Summit), 7 p.m. Howard (MEAC) at UTEP (MW), 9:30 p.m.

Capistrano Invitational

Mon. and Wed., Dec. 21 and 23: San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

Mon., Dec. 21

Santa Clara (WCC) vs. Boise State (Pac-12), 5 p.m. New Mexico (MW) vs. Oregon State (Pac-12), 7:30 p.m.*

Wed., Dec. 23

New Mexico vs. Boise State, 3:30 p.m. Santa Clara vs. Oregon State, 6:30 p.m.*

Source: Yahoo Sports