Troy University Athletics
Troy Slotted as No. 13 Seed in South Region, Set for No. 4 Nebraska in NCAA First Round in Oklahoma City
3/15/2026 5:47:00 PM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. – Troy men's basketball will be making its fourth all-time appearance in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday when the No. 13 Trojans take on No. 4 Nebraska in the South region, in Oklahoma City, Okla., at the Paycom Center.
Troy (22-11, 12-6 SBC) earned the Sun Belt's automatic bid into the Big Dance last Monday, defeating Georgia Southern, 77-61, in the conference title game.
The Trojans limited the Eagles to just 39.6 percent shooting from the field while getting a 23-point, 13- rebound double-double from Thomas Dowd. Dowd was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award for his efforts.
As the Sun Belt's outright regular season champions, Troy ranks among the nation's top 50 teams in rebounding, averaging 38.3 boards per game, which entered the day ranked 45th nationally. The Trojans are led by All-Sun Belt First Team selection Dowd, who averages 14.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per contest. He is joined by Third Team honoree Victor Valdes, who also averages 14.8 points per game.
The appearance marks Troy's second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. Last season, the No. 14-seeded Trojans fell to No. 3 Kentucky, 76-57, in the Round of 64 in the Midwest region.
Head coach Scott Cross is set to make his third NCAA Tournament appearance as a head coach and second with Troy. Cross has led Troy to five-straight seasons of at least 20 overall wins and 10 Sun Belt wins – the only team to achieve the two feats in the conference during the span.
In addition to this season's berth, the Trojans previously reached the NCAA Tournament in 2003, 2017 and 2025.
Game times and broadcast information for all Round of 64 games will be announced following the selection show on Sunday night, with Troy ticket information to be released in the coming days.
Troy (22-11, 12-6 SBC) earned the Sun Belt's automatic bid into the Big Dance last Monday, defeating Georgia Southern, 77-61, in the conference title game.
The Trojans limited the Eagles to just 39.6 percent shooting from the field while getting a 23-point, 13- rebound double-double from Thomas Dowd. Dowd was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award for his efforts.
As the Sun Belt's outright regular season champions, Troy ranks among the nation's top 50 teams in rebounding, averaging 38.3 boards per game, which entered the day ranked 45th nationally. The Trojans are led by All-Sun Belt First Team selection Dowd, who averages 14.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per contest. He is joined by Third Team honoree Victor Valdes, who also averages 14.8 points per game.
The appearance marks Troy's second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. Last season, the No. 14-seeded Trojans fell to No. 3 Kentucky, 76-57, in the Round of 64 in the Midwest region.
Head coach Scott Cross is set to make his third NCAA Tournament appearance as a head coach and second with Troy. Cross has led Troy to five-straight seasons of at least 20 overall wins and 10 Sun Belt wins – the only team to achieve the two feats in the conference during the span.
In addition to this season's berth, the Trojans previously reached the NCAA Tournament in 2003, 2017 and 2025.
Game times and broadcast information for all Round of 64 games will be announced following the selection show on Sunday night, with Troy ticket information to be released in the coming days.
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