The 2026 Sun Belt Basketball Championship is off to a roaring start at the Pensacola Bay Center, with Day 1 delivering tight games, surprising upsets, and an atmosphere that has fans already buzzing about coming back.
A Smooth Start with Plenty of Drama
Pensacola Sports CEO Ray Palmer couldn’t have asked for a better opening day. “It was a really good, smooth first day,” Palmer said. “Almost all the games were close till about five or six minutes left.” Louisiana’s men’s and women’s teams both advanced, while No. 11 Old Dominion handled ULM 87-80 behind K.C. Shaw’s 25-point performance. On the women’s side, No. 14 Louisiana pulled off the tournament’s first upset, with Mikaylah Manley dropping a career-high 32 points to knock off Georgia State 71-66.
Palmer noted one bittersweet moment — the early exit of Georgia State. “I hated to lose both Georgia State teams because they had a great band. They had a small but very spirited dance team and cheer squad. You hate to lose a whole school out.”
Dribble Drive Sells Out — Mission Accomplished
One of Day 1’s biggest off-court victories? Filling the Bay Center’s Dribble Drive. Palmer set the goal publicly on Tuesday’s broadcast, and by early afternoon, it was done. “I, of course, gave us — you and I — full credit,” Palmer said with a laugh. However, he encouraged fans not to stay home just yet. Walk-up spots are still available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the FanFest remains free and open to all.
More Than Basketball
Day 2 brings another full slate of action — women’s games at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., men’s games at 5 and 7:30 p.m., all streaming on ESPN+. But Palmer wants fans to know there’s plenty beyond the hardwood. On Sunday, the Bay Center hosts a baby crawl for six-to-twelve-month-old non-walkers, with every participant receiving a Sun Belt Conference onesie.
“The Bay Center is just a buzz,” Palmer said. “You’ve got people saying, ‘This is my first time, and I can’t believe I’ve never been here — and I’m coming back.’”
Pensacola on the National Stage
With Pensacola set to appear on ESPN as the tournament progresses, Palmer and Outzen both stressed the community stakes. “We need our locals to buy tickets,” Palmer said. “It’s an opportunity for our kids, our families, and our citizenry to have a great experience.” Walk up to the ticket window — games start at 11:30 a.m.
Game Schedule
Second Round Games – Women
Wednesday, March 4
Game 3 – (9) Coastal Carolina vs. South Alabama – 11:30 a.m. CT [ESPN+]
Game 4 – (10) ULM vs. Louisiana – 2 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Second Round Games – Men
Wednesday, March 4
Game 3 – (9) James Madison vs. (12) Louisiana – 5 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Game 4 – (10) Georgia Southern vs. (11) Old Dominion – 7:30 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
