Andrew Pace
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has held the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship annually since 1937, with the exception of 1944 and 2020. The 2025 champions were the College of Idaho, who beat Oklahoma Wesleyan University 93-65. This was their third championship win. Oklahoma City holds the record for the most tournament championships with six.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Winner | College of Idaho |
| Runner-up | Oklahoma Wesleyan |
| Final score | 93-65 |
| Location | Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri |
| Previous winner | Oklahoma Wesleyan University |
| Previous runner-up | Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.) |
| Previous final score | 84-78 |
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What You'll Learn
- The College of Idaho won the 2025 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship
- Oklahoma City University has the most tournament wins
- Tennessee State was the first historically black college to win
- Kansas City, Missouri has hosted the tournament most years
- The 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
The College of Idaho won the 2025 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship
The Yotes were led by junior guard Samaje Morgan, who scored a game-high 28 points in the final and averaged 17.6 points and five assists over six tournament games, earning him the Player of the Tournament award. Dougie Peoples also contributed 21 points in the championship game, including 11 points in the first half.
The College of Idaho's road to the title began with the 2025 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship First and Second Rounds, which took place at 16 host sites across the country. They advanced to the final site in Kansas City, Missouri, joining 15 other winning teams from the initial rounds. The tournament, which featured 64 teams in total, began on March 14, with the final taking place on March 25 at the Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City.
The College of Idaho dominated throughout the tournament, never trailing in the final and winning their four games in Kansas City by an average margin of 24.3 points. Their victory in the final marked their 25th consecutive win of the season, capping off an impressive campaign.
The team's success was celebrated by their dedicated fans, who filled the Elgin Baylor Arena during the banner-raising ceremony. The achievement highlighted the hard work and dedication of the players and coaching staff, led by head coach Colby Blaine, who guided the Yotes to their second national championship in three years.
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Oklahoma City University has the most tournament wins
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has been holding its annual men's basketball national championship tournament since 1937, with the exception of 1944 and 2020. The tournament was established by James Naismith to crown a national champion for smaller colleges and universities across the United States and Canada.
Oklahoma City University (OCU) holds the record for the most tournament wins with six. OCU also holds the record for the most national championship titles in NAIA women's basketball.
The NAIA tournament has a rich history, with several notable moments and milestones. In 1947, Coach John Wooden of Indiana State refused to participate in the tournament because Clarence J. Walker, the only Black player on his team, was not allowed to play. However, in 1948, due to the efforts of Manhattan and Harry Hansel, Coach Wooden was able to bring Walker to the tournament, making him the first African-American student-athlete to compete in the NAIA. Tennessee State became the first historically black college to win a national championship in 1957, and they were also the first team to win three consecutive tournaments.
The tournament has undergone some format changes over the years. From 1992 to 2020, the NAIA sponsored separate championships for its Division I and Division II members. The Division I tournament was consistently held in Kansas City, Missouri, while the Division II tournament moved to different locations. In 2021, following the merger of Division I and Division II, the tournament returned to a single format with 48 teams, expanding to 64 teams in 2022.
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Tennessee State was the first historically black college to win
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has held the men's basketball national championship annually since 1937, with the exceptions of 1944 and 2020. The tournament was established by James Naismith to crown a national champion for smaller colleges and universities.
In 1957, Tennessee State became the first historically black college to win a collegiate basketball national championship. They beat Southeastern Oklahoma 92-73. Tennessee State went on to win the title again in 1958 and 1959, making them one of only two NAIA schools to win three consecutive championships. John McClendon, who was named NAIA Coach of the Year in 1958, was a key figure in the team's success.
Tennessee State's victory in 1957 was not the first time the school had made history in the NAIA. In 1953, Tennessee State became the first historically black college to compete in the national tournament. The Kansas City fans gave the team a warm welcome.
The NAIA has a long history of commitment to African-American athletes. In 1948, Clarence J. Walker became the first African-American student-athlete to play in the NAIA tournament. In 1952, the association became the first collegiate association to invite historically black colleges and universities into its membership.
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Kansas City, Missouri has hosted the tournament most years
The NAIA Men's Basketball Championship has been held annually by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics since 1937, with exceptions in 1944 due to World War II and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament was established by James Naismith to determine a national champion for smaller colleges and universities.
Kansas City, Missouri, has hosted the NAIA Division I tournament most years since its inception. The tournament is mostly played at the Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, which has been the venue for the championship almost every year since the tournament began. The Municipal Auditorium is within easy reach of Kansas City's premier hotels and the city's many dining options, which embody the city's cultural influences. The venue is also close to several downtown stops, including the River Market and Union Station/Crown Center.
There were exceptions to Kansas City hosting the tournament from 1994 to 2001 when it was played in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and in 2020 when the tournament did not take place. The Division II tournament, on the other hand, moved to different locations during this time period. In 2020, it concluded at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Kansas City will continue to host the NAIA Men's Basketball Championship until at least 2024. The tournament features 64 teams, with the first two rounds played at 16 separate sites. Only the 16 winners of these initial rounds advance to Kansas City for the final rounds of the tournament.
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The 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
The 2020 NAIA basketball tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the only time the tournament has not been held since its inception in 1937, aside from 1944 when it was cancelled due to World War II. The tournament was established by James Naismith to crown a national champion for smaller colleges and universities, and it has been held annually since, with the exception of the years mentioned.
The NAIA basketball tournament is held mostly at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City has been the host city for the tournament every year, except from 1994 to 2001 when it was played in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and in 2020 when it was cancelled. The tournament typically features 64 teams, with the first two rounds played at 16 separate sites. The winners of these initial rounds then advance to the final venue, which, as mentioned, is usually Kansas City.
In 2020, the Division I tournament was scheduled to be played in Kansas City, Missouri, while the Division II tournament was set to move to different locations, ending at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these plans were disrupted, and the tournament was cancelled altogether.
The cancellation of the 2020 NAIA basketball tournament was a difficult but necessary decision to ensure the safety and well-being of the players, coaches, and fans involved. The NAIA National Administrative Council and Council of Presidents made several moves in response to the pandemic, including adjustments to the format and structure of the tournament in subsequent years.
In 2021, the NAIA took several measures to adapt to the ongoing pandemic. The field size of both the men's and women's basketball championships was reduced from 64 to 48 teams. This change affected the NAIA National Championship Opening Rounds, which transitioned from 16 four-team tournaments per gender to eight six-team (three-team pod) tournaments per gender. Additionally, the men's and women's swimming and diving national championships were temporarily separated for that year to reduce the number of student-athletes gathering at the facility simultaneously.
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Frequently asked questions
The College of Idaho won the 2025 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship.
The championship was held at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.
Since 2022, the tournament has featured 64 teams, with teams beginning play at one of sixteen regional sites.
Oklahoma City holds the record for the most tournament championships with six.
The tournament has been held annually since 1937, except in 1944 due to World War II and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
