FRISCO – The Southland Conference announced Wednesday that four nationally televised contests will air across ESPN networks in 2026, including both the men’s and women’s championship games from Lake Charles.   

ESPN Linear Schedule (2026) 

• Saturday, Feb. 21 – Texas A&M–Corpus Christi at McNeese, 7 p.m. CT (ESPNU) 

• Tuesday, March 10 – Southland Men’s Semifinal #1, 6 p.m. CT (TBD) 

• Wednesday, March 11 – Southland Men’s Championship, 4 p.m. CT (TBD) 

• Thursday, March 12 – Southland Women’s Championship, 4 p.m. CT (TBD) 

The ESPN slate begins Saturday, Feb. 21, as Texas A&M–Corpus Christi visits McNeese for a primetime matchup inside Townsley Law Arena in Lake Charles. The showdown features the last four Southland champions — the Islanders captured back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022, while McNeese claimed consecutive crowns in 2023 and 2024. 

Championship Week action tips off Tuesday, March 10, with the first Southland Men’s Basketball Semifinal at 6 p.m., followed by the Men’s Championship Game on Wednesday, March 11, at 4 p.m. Both contests will air live from Townsley Law Arena, with final ESPN network designations to be announced at a later date. 

The Southland Women’s Basketball Championship Game caps the week Thursday, March 12, at 4 p.m., also live from Lake Charles, as the conference’s automatic NCAA Tournament berth is awarded. 

These selections extend the Southland’s national visibility, following CBS Sports Network’s five-game announcement earlier this week. 

All remaining Southland basketball contests will stream live exclusively on ESPN+ throughout the 2025–26 season.