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Three Pennsylvania college basketball programs are heading to the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, giving the Keystone State a strong presence in this year's March Madness field of 68.
Selection Sunday's bracket reveal on Sunday (March 15) confirmed that Villanova, the University of Pennsylvania, and Lehigh University all earned spots in the field — two via at-large bids and one as an automatic qualifier.
Villanova Back in the Dance
Villanova — seeded eighth in the West Region — opens play on Friday (March 20) against ninth-seeded Utah State at Viejas Arena in San Diego, California, with tip-off set for 4:10 p.m. ET. The Wildcats posted a 24-8 record this season, returning to the tournament after a three-year absence.
According to Philly College Sports, Wildcats head coach Kevin Willard said the at-large bid speaks to the team's consistency. "When you get an at-large bid, you had to be really good all year," Willard said.
Guard Tyler Perkins echoed that sentiment. "It's a blessing," Perkins said. "I've been waiting for this moment. We all deserve this moment too. We're glad to be part of it. And now we got work to do."
Penn Makes Its Return
The University of Pennsylvania earned an automatic bid after winning the Ivy League championship, securing the 14th seed in the South Region. The Quakers face third-seeded Illinois on Thursday (March 19) at 9:25 p.m. ET in Greenville, South Carolina — their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018.
Willard noted how meaningful it is to have two Philadelphia-area programs in the tournament. "It's really good to have another school in Philly dancing," he said. "That's one thing [Penn head coach] Fran McCaffery and I talked about when we first got here — making sure that we are getting Big Five schools back in the NCAA Tournament."
Perkins, who began his college career at Penn before transferring to Villanova, was also thrilled for his former teammates. "That was good," he said. "I called some of my friends there. Congratulated them. Hopefully we'll see them whether it's the Final Four or whatever. I'm happy for them and to see two Philly teams in the NCAA Tournament."
Lehigh Opens Early in Dayton
Lehigh, the Patriot League's automatic qualifier, will play Wednesday (March 18) in the First Four in Dayton, Ohio. The Mountain Hawks take on Prairie View A&M at 6:40 p.m. ET for the right to claim the 16th seed in the South Region. Per the NCAA, the winner of that First Four game will then face top-seeded Florida.
Pennsylvania has a storied March Madness history. Two programs from the state — Villanova and La Salle — have won the national championship. Villanova won it all in 1985 and again in 2016 and 2018.
The 2026 tournament concludes with the Final Four on April 4 and 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.