CLAREMORE, Okla. - For the second time in program history, Rogers State men's basketball has earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, receiving the No. 6 seed in the Central Region. The Hillcats (21-10) will face No. 3 seed Central Missouri (23-9) in the opening round, set for Saturday, March 14, at 12 p.m. at Lee Arena in Topeka, Kansas.
 
In the 2019-20 season, the Hillcats were also the sixth seed in the tournament, but their postseason run was cut short when the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of all NCAA competitions. Prior to that, in the 2011-12 season, RSU advanced to the NAIA National Tournament Quarterfinals.
 
PURCHASE TICKETS
To reserve your tickets for the NCAA Central Regional Quarterfinals, click here. Select the general admission option under session one. There will be a designated RSU section on game day behind the bench.
 
FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE ACTION
Every game of the NCAA Central Regional Tournament will be streamed live for FREE on the MIAA Network. Shawn Tiemann will provide play-by-play commentary on RSU RADIO (91.3 FM). Additionally, live stats will be available for each contest. For more information, visit 2026 NCAA Division II Men's Central Regional.
 
CENTRAL REGIONAL OUTLOOK
Rogers State is one of four teams from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) competing in the tournament, alongside No. 1 seed Washburn, No. 3 seed Central Missouri and No. 5 seed Missouri Western. Washburn is hosting the regional tournament for the second consecutive year.
 
Representing the Great American Conference (GAC) are No. 2 seed Oklahoma Baptist and No. 7 seed Harding, while the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) features No. 4 seed St. Cloud State and No. 8 seed Minnesota-Duluth. Harding earned its spot by winning the GAC Tournament, while Minnesota-Duluth secured its place by claiming the NSIC Tournament title.

Schedule
Saturday, March 14
Game 1 - Central Missouri vs Rogers State | 12 p.m.
Game 2 - Oklahoma Baptist vs Harding | 2:30 p.m.
Game 3 - Washburn vs Minnesota Duluth | 5:30 p.m.
Game 4 - St. Cloud State vs Missouri Western | 8 p.m.
 
Sunday, March 15
Game 5 - Game 1 winner vs Game 2 winner | 5 p.m.
Game 6 - Game 3 winner vs Game 4 winner | 7:30 p.m.
 
Tuesday, March 17
Game 7 - Game 5 winner vs Game 6 winner | 7 p.m.          
 
A HISTORIC SHOWING AT THE MIAA TOURNAMENT
The Hillcats are coming off their first appearance in the MIAA Tournament Championship Game, where they fell to top-seeded No. 3 Washburn. The Hillcats achieved a runner-up finish, the best since joining the MIAA in 2019, after securing victories over Fort Hays State (70-63) and Missouri Southern (72-70) earlier in the tournament. Senior Jabryn Anderson was also named to the 2026 MIAA Championship All-Tournament Team.
 
During the regular season, Rogers State finished third in the league with a record of 13-6. They recorded significant MIAA wins over Arkansas-Fort Smith (twice), Central Missouri, Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State. Notably, their victory over then-No. 5 UAFS marked the program's highest-ranked win in the NCAA Division II era.
 
RSU also has a non-conference win over the Central Region No. 7 seed, Harding, defeating the Bison 88-61 at the MIAA/GAC Regional Challenge on November 15.
 
HISTORY AGAINST UCM
Saturday's NCAA Central Regional Quarterfinal will mark the 10th all-time matchup between RSU and UCM. The Hillcats lead the series with a 6-3 advantage.
 
Earlier this season, RSU secured a significant 70-61 victory over the then-No. 25 Mules at the Claremore Expo, propelled by a standout 20-point performance from former Central Missouri All-MIAA honoree Tim Jordan Jr.
 
TOP HILLCATS
In 31 games (30 starts), Jordan Jr. has tallied 422 points (13.6 PPG) on 134-of-293 (49.6%) shooting for the season. The junior from Saginaw, Michigan, has recorded 147 rebounds, 30 assists, 20 blocks and 16 steals. In a crucial overtime win over Arkansas-Fort Smith, Jordan achieved a career-high 25 points.
 
Anderson has started all 31 games for the Red and Navy this season. The Decatur, Illinois, native has shot 129-of-268 (48.1%) from the field for a total of 377 points (12.2 PPG). He has notched 193 rebounds, 150 assists, 49 steals and 19 blocks. Anderson has tallied three double-doubles and became the second Hillcat in program history to record a triple-double in the win over Texas A&M-Kingsville.
 
Senior Caden Fry has appeared in all 31 games (30 starts) in his final season with the Hillcats. The Owasso, Oklahoma, native has recorded 349 points (11.3 PPG) on 126-of-250 shooting (50.4%). He has collected 187 rebounds, 79 assists, 15 steals and five blocks. In the win over Missouri Southern in the regular season, Fry set a school record with his 527th career rebound. He also joined the 1000-point club in the win over Fort Hays State in the MIAA Tournament.
 
Senior Andrew Mason, who was sidelined for seven games this season, has played in 24 games (23 starts). The Bardstown, Kentucky, native has contributed 304 points (12.7 PPG) on 105-of-213 shooting (49.3%). He has also recorded 92 rebounds, 42 assists, 25 blocks and 24 steals. In just his second season on the Hill, Mason set a new school record for career blocks in the win over NSU with his 48^th.
 
Senior Benard Omooria has started in 30 games this season. The Minneapolis, Minnesota, native has recorded 287 points (9.6 PPG) on 92-of-240 shooting (38.3%), including 69-of-185 (37.3%) from beyond the arc. Additionally, Omooria has totaled 66 rebounds, 46 assists, 28 steals and four blocks.
 
Other contributors who have made a significant impact this season include Damondre McKnight (8.8 PPG), Stephon Thomas (5.9 PPG) and Angus Ole (3.2 PPG). Each player has appeared in all 31 games this season.
 
ALL-MIAA NODS
Anderson was recognized on both the All-Defensive Team and the All-MIAA Second Team, leading four selections for the team announced by the MIAA.

Fry and Mason received All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors for the second straight season. Jordan Jr. also claimed his second All-MIAA Honorable Mention selection after claiming the same honor in his freshman year at Central Missouri.
 
The four selections mark the highest number of MIAA award winners for the Hillcats since the 2019-20 season, when Tavian Davis, Christopher Miller, Brewster Peacock and Marques Sumner were honored.
 
UP NEXT
The winner of the Rogers State-Central Missouri game will face the winner of the Oklahoma Baptist-Harding matchup on Sunday at 5 p.m. at Lee Arena in Topeka, Kansas. Stay up-to-date with the action on Men's Basketball - Rogers State University Athletics.