AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron men’s basketball team learned its fate for the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship on Sunday, March 15. The 12-seeded Zips (29-5) will battle No. 5-seeded Texas Tech (22-10) in first-round action on Friday, March 20 at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla., as part of the Midwest Regional.
This will be the first meeting between Akron and Texas Tech.
The winner of Akron-Texas Tech will advance to face the winner of No. 4 Alabama and No. 13 Hofstra in second-round play.
Akron and Texas Tech will be featured on truTV at 12:40 p.m. ET.
Akron will be making its eighth overall NCAA Division I Tournament appearance after previously qualifying in 1986, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2022, 2024 and 2025.