Hate that we have to play Bama first. They just got Amari Allen back who is a special player. If Bama gets their weed dealer back too, it will be a tough day for the Bears.
Photo by Jack Mackenzie - SicEm365.com
LAS VEGAS – Players Era, an EverWonder Studio company, MGM Resorts International, and ESPN announced Thursday the brackets for the 2026 Players Era Men's Championships, with Baylor men's basketball set to open the Players Era 16 Championship against Alabama on Nov. 24.
The Players Era 16 Championship is set for Tuesday-Saturday, Nov. 24-28, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and Michelob ULTRA Arena. The Players Era 16 will culminate with a standalone championship game Saturday, Nov. 28, at Michelob ULTRA Arena. All 37 games across the two tournaments will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks as part of a new multi-year broadcast agreement between Players Era and ESPN.
Baylor was one of four Big 12 teams that competed in the 2025 Players Era, going 2-1 with wins against Creighton and San Diego State. The 2026 edition is shaping up to be a big non-conference test, including 13 teams that made the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
In addition to the last two national champions, Florida, ranked No. 1 in ESPN.com's 2026-27 Way Too Early Top 25 Rankings, and Michigan (No. 3), the field includes Alabama (No. 8), Tennessee (No. 11), Houston (No. 12), Louisville (No. 15), Iowa State (No. 18), St. John's (No. 19), Miami (No. 21) and Gonzaga (No. 24). Overall, the 2026 field accounts for 27 NCAA Tournament appearances over the past two years.
Baylor will go up against the Crimson Tide for the 10th time in program history and the first time since 2022. Following an off day Wednesday, Nov. 25, tournament play will resume on Thanksgiving Day with four semifinal and four consolation games, with Baylor to play against either Gonzaga or Kansas State.
The bracket championships and third-, fifth- and seventh-place matchups will take place Friday, Nov. 27, and the Players Era 16 Championship Game will be Saturday, Nov. 28, at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
Additional information about ticket on-sale dates and broadcast networks will be announced at a later date.
2026 PLAYERS ERA 16 AT T-MOBILE ARENA AND MICHELOB ULTRA ARENA
Tuesday, Nov. 24 – Opening Round Games (All times TBD)
Tennessee vs. Maryland
San Diego State vs. Iowa State
St. John’s vs. Oregon
Louisville vs. Texas Tech
Gonzaga vs. Kansas State
Baylor vs. Alabama
Michigan vs. Creighton
TCU vs. Miami (FL)
Wednesday, Nov. 25
No games scheduled
Thursday, Nov. 26 (All times TBD)
Semifinal #1 - WINNER (Tennessee/Maryland) vs. WINNER (San Diego State/Iowa State)
Semifinal #2 - WINNER (St. John’s/Oregon) vs. WINNER (Louisville/Texas Tech)
Consolation #1
Consolation #2
Semifinal #3- WINNER (Gonzaga/Kansas State) vs. WINNER (Baylor/Alabama)
Semifinal #4 - WINNER (Michigan/Creighton) vs. WINNER (TCU/Miami)
Consolation #3
Consolation #4
Friday, Nov. 27 (All times TBD)
Bracket #1 Champ – WINNER Semifinal #1 vs. WINNER Semifinal #2
Bracket #2 Champ – WINNER Semifinal #3 vs. WINNER Semifinal #4
Bracket #1 Third Place
Bracket #1 Fifth Place
Bracket #1 Seventh Place
Bracket #2 Third Place
Bracket #2 Fifth Place
Bracket #2 Seventh Place
Saturday, Nov. 28 (Time TBD)
Players Era 16 Championship Game (Michelob ULTRA Arena)
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