Andrew Pace
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) holds an annual basketball tournament to determine the national champion of men's college basketball among its members in the United States and Canada. The tournament was established by James Naismith to crown a national champion for smaller colleges and universities and has been held annually since 1937, except in 1944 due to World War II and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2025 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship was held in Kansas City, Missouri, and all 15 games were streamed online for fans who couldn't attend in person. The Championship Game was also broadcast live on Tuesday, March 25, at 7 pm CT. However, it is important to note that the NAIA basketball championship game is typically not aired on national TV channels. So, how can basketball enthusiasts catch the action-packed games?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tournament Name | NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship |
| Year | 2025 |
| Dates | March 20-25, 2025 |
| First & Second Round Dates | March 14-15, 2025 |
| Location | Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri |
| Number of Games | 15 |
| TV Channel | Not aired on national TV channels |
| Streaming Options | Available on NAIA Network and StretchInternet |
| Time | 7 pm or 8 pm ET |
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What You'll Learn
- The 2025 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship was streamed online
- The 2024 tournament was held at 16 opening round sites across the US
- The 2023 tournament was held in Kansas City, Missouri
- The 2021 tournament featured a new format after the merger of D-I and D-II
- The 1948 tournament was the first to allow black student-athletes
The 2025 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship was streamed online
The NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship is an annual tournament that has been held since 1937 by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to determine the national champion of men's college basketball among its members in the United States and Canada. The tournament was established by James Naismith to crown a national champion for smaller colleges and universities. Since 2022, the tournament has featured 64 teams, with the first two rounds played at 16 separate sites, and only the 16 winners advancing to the final venue in Kansas City.
The 2025 tournament was especially notable as it marked the return of the Championship to Kansas City, which had been the host city every year since the tournament began except from 1994 to 2001 when it was played in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The 2020 tournament was also not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The College of Idaho, which entered the game as the No. 1 seed, had previously won the NAIA national title in 2023. Oklahoma Wesleyan, on the other hand, had pulled off an upset victory against Freed-Hardeman (TN) in the Fab Four matchup, preventing them from capturing back-to-back championships.
The 2025 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship was a highly anticipated event, with fans eagerly waiting to watch the games either in person or through the online stream. The tournament featured intense competition and showcased the talent and dedication of the participating teams, with the College of Idaho ultimately emerging as the deserving champions.
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The 2024 tournament was held at 16 opening round sites across the US
The 2024 NAIA basketball tournament was held at 16 opening round sites across the US. The tournament is held annually by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to determine the national champion of men's college basketball among its members in the United States and Canada. The 2024 tournament began with opening rounds at the following 16 sites:
- Butte, Montana
- Caldwell, Idaho
- Glendale, Arizona
- Henderson, Tennessee
- Langston, Oklahoma
- Livonia, Michigan
- Marion, Indiana
- Miami Gardens, Florida
- Olathe, Kansas
- Orange City, Iowa
- Salina, Kansas
- Sioux City, Iowa
- Waxahachie, Texas
- Wichita, Kansas
- Williamsburg, Kentucky
- Winona Lake, Indiana
The winners of these opening rounds then advanced to the final venue in Kansas City, Missouri, where the tournament has been held annually since it began (except from 1994 to 2001 when it was played in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and in 2020 when no tournament was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
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The 2023 tournament was held in Kansas City, Missouri
The 2023 NAIA Basketball Tournament was held in Kansas City, Missouri. The tournament took place in the heart of downtown Kansas City, with approximately 40,000 parking spaces available in the area. The Municipal Auditorium, a historic venue in the city, served as the main arena for the games.
The tournament brought together the top men's basketball teams from across the nation, vying for the coveted national championship title. The atmosphere in Kansas City was electric as fans and supporters filled the auditorium, cheering on their favourite teams and players.
Kansas City has a rich basketball history and a passionate sports community. The city has previously hosted NAIA basketball tournaments, including the 2025 Men's Basketball National Championship. The 2025 tournament was also held at the Municipal Auditorium, showcasing the venue's significance in the world of basketball.
The Municipal Auditorium provided a thrilling backdrop for the intense competition. The auditorium's courts provided a neutral ground for the teams to showcase their skills and determination. The venue buzzed with excitement as the ball bounced and echoed off the walls, with each team fighting for every point.
The 2023 tournament in Kansas City, Missouri, showcased the very best of NAIA basketball. The city's hospitality, coupled with its love for the sport, created an unforgettable experience for players and fans alike, leaving lasting memories and a legacy for the sport in the heart of Missouri.
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The 2021 tournament featured a new format after the merger of D-I and D-II
The 2021 NAIA basketball tournament featured a new format after the merger of Divisions I and II. The new format included 64 teams in each of the men's and women's tournaments, with the first two rounds played at 16 separate sites. Only the 16 winners at these sites advanced to Kansas City, where the final venue was located. The 2021 tournament was the first to be held after the COVID-19 pandemic caused its cancellation in 2020. It was also the first to be held after the merger of the NAIA's Division I and Division II. The Division I tournament had previously been played in Kansas City, Missouri, while the Division II tournament had moved around, ending up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 2020.
The 2021 tournament was also the first to be held since the NAIA's rule change in 1948, which allowed Black student-athletes to participate in the tournament. This rule change was prompted by the decision of Manhattan, who had an all-white team, to withdraw from the tournament when the NAIA refused to rescind the rule prohibiting Black players. In 1947, Coach John Wooden of Indiana State had refused an invitation to the tournament because his team included Clarence J. Walker, the only Black player. Thanks to Manhattan's stand, Coach Wooden was able to bring Walker to the 1948 tournament, making him the first African-American student-athlete to participate.
The 2021 tournament was not aired on national TV but was available to stream online through the NAIA Network and StretchInternet. The tournament has been held annually since 1937, except in 1944 due to World War II and in 2020 due to the pandemic. It is organised by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to crown a national champion among smaller colleges and universities in the US and Canada.
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The 1948 tournament was the first to allow black student-athletes
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is a college athletics association that hosts a number of championship tournaments, including basketball. While the championship game is not aired on national TV channels, it is available to stream on the NAIA Network.
The 1948 NAIA basketball tournament was the 11th annual tournament and the first to allow a black student-athlete to participate. The tournament was held in March at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri, and featured 32 teams playing in a single-elimination format. The championship game saw Louisville beat Indiana State by a score of 82-70. Indiana State's player, Clarence J. Walker, was the first black student-athlete to compete in an intercollegiate postseason tournament. His coach, John Wooden, had withdrawn from the previous year's tournament because the NAIB would not allow Walker to play.
The inclusion of Clarence J. Walker in the 1948 NAIA tournament was a significant step forward for racial diversity and equality in college athletics. It set a precedent for future tournaments and helped pave the way for the participation of student-athletes from all backgrounds. This milestone in the history of the NAIA tournament reflects the organisation's commitment to inclusivity and the recognition of talent regardless of race.
The NAIA has continued to prioritise inclusivity and diversity in its tournaments. In recent years, the NAIA has emphasised character-building and sportsmanship at its men's basketball national championships. This commitment extends beyond the basketball court, with the organisation sponsoring character-building and sportsmanship initiatives alongside the thrilling basketball action.
While the 1948 tournament was a groundbreaking moment for racial diversity, it also faced challenges. Coach John Wooden's decision to withdraw from the 1947 tournament due to the exclusion of Clarence J. Walker demonstrated the ongoing struggle for racial equality at the time. Despite these challenges, the 1948 tournament broke new ground, and the NAIA has continued to foster an environment that values diversity and inclusivity.
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Frequently asked questions
The NAIA basketball tournament is not aired on national TV channels. However, all games are streamed online through the official NAIA provider, StretchInternet, and the NAIA Network.
The 87th Annual Men's Basketball National Championship was held in Kansas City, Missouri, from March 20-25, 2025.
The NAIA men's basketball national championship has been held annually since 1937, with the exceptions of 1944 due to World War II and 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament was established by James Naismith to crown a national champion for smaller colleges and universities.
Since 2022, the tournament has featured 64 teams, with teams beginning play at one of sixteen regional sites. The winners of those regionals then play at the final venue.
In 1948, the NAIA became the first national organization to open their intercollegiate postseason to black student-athletes due to media attention surrounding the Manhattan Jaspers, an all-white team. This led to Clarence J. Walker becoming the first African-American student-athlete to play in the NAIA tournament in 1948. In 1957, Tennessee State became the first historically black college to win a national championship.
