Championship Central

The 2026 Centennial Conference men's basketball postseason field and matchups are now set following the regular season finales on Saturday afternoon. Gettysburg and Johns Hopkins secured the top two seeds and opening round byes, while Ursinus and Franklin & Marshall will host first round games. Swarthmore and McDaniel will hit the road for first round matchups, with the Green Terror securing their first playoff berth since 2016. 

Gettysburg had already locked up the top seed for the second time in the past three years heading into Saturday's action. The Bullets (16-9, 11-2 CC) dropped a 76-58 decision at Franklin & Marshall to close out the regular season with just their second loss in conference play. Gettysburg will host one of Friday's semifinals. 

Johns Hopkins (19-6, 10-3 CC) clinched the No. 2 seed with a 81-77 triumph at Dickinson to earn a first round bye and hosting rights in the other semifinal. The Blue Jays ended up tied at 10-3 in the conference standings with both Ursinus and F&M, but won the tiebreaker based on a 2-1 head-to-head record against the Bears and Diplomats. 

Ursinus closed its regular season with a 95-70 win over Washington College in Collegeville. The Bears (17-8, 10-3 CC) edged the Diplomats (21-4, 10-3 CC) in the tiebreaker by virtue of their head-to-head win on February 4. Third-seeded Ursinus will host sixth-seeded McDaniel (16-9, 6-7 CC) in the first round on Tuesday. In a win-and-in game, the Green Terror outlasted Muhlenberg 52-49 in Allentown to advance to the postseason for the first time in a decade. 

Tuesday's other first round showdown will feature defending champion F&M, seeded fourth, against fifth-seeded Swarthmore (13-12, 7-6 CC). The Garnet fell to Haverford 74-68 on Saturday. 

This will mark the fourth year of the CC tournament featuring a six-team format. The higher seeds will host each round of the tournament. 

All game times have yet to be determined. Check back to Centennial.org for updates. 

FIRST ROUND: Tuesday, Feb. 24 | at #3 & #4 seeds

#6 McDaniel at #3 Ursinus, time TBA

#5 Swarthmore at #4 Franklin & Marshall, time TBA

SEMIFINALS: Friday, Feb. 27 | at #1 & #2 seeds 

Higher seeded first round winner at #2 Johns Hopkins, time TBA

Lower seeded first round winner at #1 Gettysburg, time TBA

CHAMPIONSHIP: Sunday, March 1 | at highest remaining seed 

Semifinal winners, time TBA