KANSAS CITY, Mo. –  The stage is set for the 2026 MIAA men’s basketball championship game. Washburn and Rogers State survived Saturday’s semifinals to advance to the tournament finale at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, in Kansas City’s historic Municipal Auditorium.  
 
The top-ranked Ichabods defeated No. 4 seed Missouri Western 85-69 in the MIAA semifinals to advance to the championship game for the 15th time in program history. Joining Washburn in the battle for the 2026 tournament title is Rogers State. The No. 3-seeded Hillcats defeated No. 7 seed Missouri Southern 72-70 in the final seconds of Saturday’s final semifinal showdown to advance to the MIAA championship game for the first time since joining the league in the 2019-20 season.
 
Washburn and Rogers State met once in the 2025-26 regular season, with the Ichabods claiming an 81-64 victory in Claremore, Okla.
 
The Ichabods are tied for the second-most MIAA tournament titles with six total. The last time Washburn advanced to the championship game was in 2022 and the last time they won the championship crown was in 2021.
 
Tip-off for the 2026 MIAA men’s championship game is set for 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. MIAA fans can purchase tickets on site or online at theMIAA.com/Madness. The Municipal Auditorium box office is scheduled to open at 11 a.m. Fans not making the trip to Kansas City can watch the title game live on The MIAA Network, or on live TV on KMCI, 38 The Spot.
 
To view the official tournament schedule, results, and find more information on the 2026 MIAA Basketball Championships in Kansas City, visit theMIAA.com/basketball.