SWAC Makes Changes to Basketball Tournaments

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – It was announced Thursday, June 11, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has adopted a new format for its annual end-of-year tournaments for both Men's and Women's Basketball beginning with the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.
 
The SWAC Men's and Women's Basketball working group which consists of league head coaches and administrators recommended the new format that will now feature the leagues' top 10 teams at the conclusion of regular season play.
 
Under the revised formats, the top two (2) seeds in each tournament bracket will receive byes directly into the semifinal round. Seeds No. 3 and No. 4 will advance directly to the quarterfinal round, while seeds No. 5 and No. 6 will receive byes into the second round.
 
The tournaments will begin with first-round contests featuring the No. 8 seed versus the No. 9 seed, and the No. 7 seed versus the No. 10 seed, respectfully. Winners of those contests will advance to face the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds in the second round.
 
Quarterfinal matchups will feature the No. 4 seed against the winner from the No. 5 side of the bracket, in addition to the No. 3 seed against the winner from the No. 6 side of the bracket.
 
The semifinal round will then see the No. 1 seed face the winner of the No. 4 side of the bracket, while the No. 2 seed will meet the winner of the No. 3 side of the bracket.
 
The SWAC Men's and Women's Basketball working group will continue to assess the overall viability, growth opportunities and long-term sustainability of basketball across the conference while evaluating additional enhancements to the championship experience.
 
Additional information regarding tournament dates, game times and ticketing details will be announced at a later date.
 
Follow Alcorn State Sports on Twitter (@BravesSports) for all the latest news and updates. Follow us on Instagram (@AlcornSports) and YouTube (Braves Sports Network) for even further behind-the-scenes action across all Braves Athletics.
 
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.

Women's competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.