BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —Top-seeded South Florida defeated No. 2 Wichita State, 70–55, on Sunday afternoon at Legacy Arena at the BJCC to win the 2026 American Men’s Basketball Championship.
South Florida (25-8) is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time and the first time since 2012. The Bulls are the No. 11 seed in the East Regional and will play No. 6 Louisville (23-10) on Thursday. Tip time is to be determined.
It was a battle inside the paint to begin the game, as both teams attacked the basket to score 24 of the first 27 combined points. Kenyon Giles hit a near half-court buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the first half as the Shockers went into the locker room trailing by seven.
The Bulls continued to pull away in the second half thanks to a strong performance from Wes Enis, the American Men’s Basketball Championship Most Outstanding Player. Enis scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half while playing all 40 minutes. South Florida made 16 of its 23 free throws in the second half, including a 13-for-16 stretch from the line.
Izaiyah Nelson, the American Player of the Year, added 13 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Josh Omojafo scored 10 points for the Bulls.
Dillon Battie led the Shockers with 15 points, while Will Berg added 10 points and six rebounds.
All-Tournament Team
Dezayne Mingo, Charlotte
Wes Enis, South Florida (MOP)
Izaiyah Nelson, South Florida
Will Berg, Wichita State
Kenyon Giles, Wichita State
2026 American Men’s Basketball Championship Schedule
Legacy Arena At The BJCC | Birmingham, Alabama
First Round | Wednesday, March 11
Game 1: No. 9 Tulane 81, No. 8 Memphis 69
Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights | Tulane Quotes | Memphis Quotes | Tulane Press Conference | Memphis Press Conference
Game 2: No. 7 Florida Atlantic 63, No. 10 Temple 59
Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights | Florida Atlantic Quotes | Temple Quotes | Florida Atlantic Press Conference | Temple Press Conference
Second Round | Thursday, March 12
Game 3: No. 5 Charlotte 74, No. 9 Tulane 60
Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights | Charlotte Quotes | Tulane Quotes | Charlotte Press Conference | Tulane Press Conference
Game 4: No. 6 North Texas 74, No. 7 Florida Atlantic 70
Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights | North Texas Quotes | Florida Atlantic Quotes | North Texas Press Conference | Florida Atlantic Press Conference
Quarterfinals | Friday, March 13
Game 5: No. 5 Charlotte 83, No. 4 UAB 78
Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights | Charlotte Quotes | UAB Quotes | Charlotte Press Conference | UAB Press Conference
Game 6: No. 3 Tulsa 90, No. 6 North Texas 84 (3OT)
Box Score | Recap | Postgame Notes | Highlights | Tulsa Quotes | North Texas Quotes | Tulsa Press Conference | North Texas Press Conference
Semifinals | Saturday, March 14
Game 7: No. 1 South Florida 86, No. 5 Charlotte 64
Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights | South Florida Quotes | Charlotte Quotes | South Florida Press Conference | Charlotte Press Conference
Game 8: No. 2 Wichita State 81, No. 3 Tulsa 68
Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights | Wichita State Quotes | Tulsa Quotes | Wichita State Press Conference | Tulsa Press Conference
Final | Sunday, March 15
Game 9: No. 1 South Florida 70, No. 2 Wichita State 55
Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights | South Florida Quotes | Wichita State Quotes | South Florida Press Conference | Wichita State Press Conference
