HUTCHINSON -- The No. 17 ranked Barton Cougars men's basketball team earned an at-large bid and the No. 15 seed for the 2026 Credit Union 1 NJCAA Division I National Tournament. The KJCCC regular season co-champion Cougars (24-9) play No. 18 seed New Mexico JC (26-6) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 22. Barton, which leads the NJCAA in both free throws attempted and made, compiled an impressive résumé throughout the season, going 4-2 against ranked competition, 5-1 against the top four teams in the KJCCC standings, and 8-2 against the conference's top six squads. The Cougars carried a 12-game winning streak into the Region 6/Plains District Championship game before falling to No. 19 Butler. New Mexico features a tall and athletic roster, ranking among the NJCAA's top five in three-point attempts and turnovers forced. The Thunderbirds own notable victories over No. 1 seed Howard, Texas and No. 12 seed South Plains. New Mexico defeated Fort Hays Northwest (by 13 points), Pratt (39), and Seward County (13), as well as a 24-point victory over common opponent NOC-Tonkawa. Barton earned its fourth straight appearance in the Region 6/Plains District Championship game, coming up short against Butler after defeating the Grizzlies twice during the regular season. Butler earned the No. 8 seed and a first-round bye. The Grizzlies will play a noon Tuesday against Snow, Utah or Trinidad State, Colo. A Barton victory Saturday would advance the Cougars to Monday's 2:30 p.m. second-round matchup against No. 2 seed Southern Idaho (31-2). Barton's Game Schedule (Win-or-go-home format): Saturday – 2:30 p.m. (First Round) Monday – 2:30 p.m. (Second Round) Wednesday – 2:30 p.m. (Quarterfinals) Friday – 8 p.m. (Semifinals) Saturday – 3 p.m. (Championship) All 2026 Tournament games are being streamed live via ESPN+, with the Championship game available on ESPNU. *Streaming service and/or subscription required. TOURNAMENT INFORMATION: Official NJCAA Championship website: https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/mbkb/div1/index Tickets: https://www.njcaa.org/tickets Tickets -- $83 All-Session; $17 Session. NJCAA 2026 1 Howard, Texas Hawks (29-4) vs winner 16 Jones, Miss. Bobcats (24-9) vs 17 Daytona State, Fla. Falcons (26-7), 12 SATURDAY 8 Butler Grizzlies (24-9) vs winner 9 Snow, Utah Badgers (28-4)'vs 24 Trinidad State, Colo. Trojans (17-16), 12 SUNDAY 4 Trinity Valley, Texas Cardinals (28-5) vs winner 13 Monroe, N.Y. Mustangs (27-4) vs 20 Mineral Area, Mo. Cardinals (21-11), 5:30 SATURDAY 5 Chipola, Fla. Indians (26-7) vs winner 12 South Plains, Texas Texans (24-7) vs 21 Northern Oklahoma Enid Jets (20-13), 5:30 SUNDAY 2 Southern Idaho Golden Eagles (31-2) vs winner 15 Barton Cougars (24-9) vs 18 New Mexico Thunderbirds (26-6), 2:30 SATURDAY 7 Midland, Texas Chaparrals (27-6) vs winner 10 Walters State, Tenn. Senators (27-1) vs 23 South Georgia State Hawks (23-10), 2:30 SUNDAY 3 Indian Hills, Iowa Warriors (30-2) vs winner 14 Gulf Coast State, Fla. Eagles (25-7) vs 19 Brunswick Dolphins (28-5), 8 P.M. SATURDAY 6 Vincennes, Ind. Trailblazers (31-2) vs winner 11 Northwest Florida Raiders (25-7) vs 22 Bishop State Wildcats (17-15), 8 P.M. SUNDAY