GNAC Men’s Basketball Championships Preview

3/4/2026 12:02:05 PM

By: Evan O'Kelly, Associate Commissioner for Communications

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Six teams are set to square off at the 2026 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Championships, which kick off on Thursday night at Western Washington University’s Sam Carver Gym.
 
Complete tournament information, including schedule, tickets and live coverage, can be found on the GNAC Championships central page online here.
 
Quarterfinal 1 – No. 6 seed Alaska Fairbanks vs. No. 3 seed Northwest Nazarene
Thursday, March 5 – 5:15 p.m. (Pacific)
 
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2025-26 Meetings
Game 1 – NNU 74, UAF 68 (Jan. 10 at Nampa, Idaho) | Box Score | NNU Recap | UAF Recap
Game 2 – NNU 78, UAF 64 (Feb. 5 at Fairbanks, Alaska) | Box Score | NNU Recap | UAF Recap
All-Time at GNAC Championships: UAF 1, NNU 0
2022 Quarterfinals – 10. Alaska 83, 2. NNU 62
 
UAF Wins If: It can slow down the Nighthawk offense. NNU shot 46.7% (28-for-60) in its January win and upped that figure to 52.7% (29-for-55) in its February win, out-pacing Alaska in both contests. If the Nanooks can avoid facing a halftime deficit – as they did in each of the two regular-season meetings – their offense has shown it has enough firepower to compete. Alaska protected the ball well in both games against NNU, limiting its turnovers to single figures both times. But shot selection will be of utmost performance as NNU did well to hold Alaska under 40% shooting in both meetings as well.
 
UAF Head Coach Frank Ostanik: “Northwest Nazarene will present a great challenge as a first-round opponent. They have a player of the year candidate in Easton Reagan and Coach (Jon) Hawkins has his team playing its best basketball over the last month of the season. We are going to have to rebound and defend at a high level to win. That said, we sure are excited about the opportunity to compete.”
 
NNU Wins If: It spreads the wealth offensively. In both wins over the Nanooks during the regular season, four different Nighthawks reached double digits in scoring. The breadth of threats proved too much for Alaska to overcome in the previous meetings as NNU was right around its season scoring average of 77.2 points per game in both victories. The Nighthawks also dominated under the basket in both games, out-pacing Alaska on points in the paint 46-36 in January and 40-32 in February.
 
NNU Head Coach Jon Hawkins: “Frank and his staff do a tremendous job maximizing every individual player's talent. They will be prepped and ready to give full effort from the tip. We are looking forward to this competitive matchup.”
 
What’s At Stake: Each of these programs is looking for its second GNAC Championships tournament title, and it is likely a must-win game for each team to have hopes of securing an NCAA Championships regional berth. Although the Nighthawks entered the tournament ranked sixth in the region, a first-round loss could create uncertainty in locking down a top-eight spot when the selections are announced Sunday. For the Nanooks, the only ticket to the NCAA playoffs is by going 3-0 this week. The last time the tournament was held in Bellingham, NNU went 3-0 to capture the 2023 trophy. The Nanooks meanwhile went 4-0 the year prior on the way to a memorable Sweet 16 run to cap off the 2022 campaign.
 

Quarterfinal 2 – No. 5 seed Seattle Pacific vs. No. 4 seed Central Washington
Thursday, March 5 – 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
 
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2025-26 Meetings
Game 1 – SPU 66, CWU 63 (Jan. 15 at Seattle, Wash.) | Box Score | SPU Recap | CWU Recap
Game 2 – CWU 86, SPU 60 (Feb. 14 at Ellensburg, Wash.) | Box Score | SPU Recap | CWU Recap
All-Time at GNAC Championships: SPU 3, CWU 2
2012 Quarterfinals – 6. CWU 70, 3. SPU 69
2013 Semifinals – 2. SPU 85, 6. CWU 78
2016 Quarterfinals – 4. SPU 69, 5. CWU 65
2024 Quarterfinals – 4. CWU 90, 5. SPU 76
2025: Finals - 3. SPU 72, 1. CWU 61
 
SPU Wins If: It dictates the pace. The Falcons’ win in January was its lowest point total of the season in a victory, as they limited the Wildcats to just 34.0% (18-for-53) in field-goal percentage – their second-worst shooting game of 2025-26. The Falcons out-rebounded the Wildcats 38-37, won the turnover battle 13-11 and absolutely dominated points in the paint 42-20. SPU is battle-tested and proven in close games, with 10 of its victories this season being by a single-digit margin – including their triumph over the Wildcats. The numbers indicate that a close, low-scoring contest favors SPU.
 
SPU Head Coach Keffrey Fazio: “Everybody’s good this time of the year. The team that plays the hardest and together the longest will have the best chance to come out on top.”
 
CWU Wins If: The shots fall. In the rematch three weeks ago, CWU lit it up at 51.7% (30-for-58) and knocked down 11 threes to cruise past the Falcons. The Wildcats also flipped the script in out-rebounding SPU 32-30 and committed just nine turnovers compared to the Falcons’ 15. CWU will look to replicate its defensive performance, as it limited SPU’s leading scorer – Trace Evans – to just 10 points on its way to victory. It will also rely on first-team all-GNAC guard Jordan Clark, who was an efficient 5-for-8 including 4-for-7 from the arc on his way to 17 points, four assists, four rebounds and two steals in the triumph.
 
CWU Head Coach Brandon Rinta: “Seattle Pacific has been a very consistent team all year. They have been one of the best offensive and defensive teams in the league. They are well-coached and take advantage of their strengths.”
 
What’s At Stake: This first-round matchup features each of the last two conference tournament champions. SPU is looking for its GNAC-record sixth trophy and to make it back-to-back crowns. CWU meanwhile will be in search of its third conference tournament title, after taking home the trophy on its home floor in 2024 and winning the inaugural tournament in 2011. This game will mark the end of the season for the loser, with the winner needing to win the conference tournament crown in order to advance to the NCAA Championships regional.
 

TOURNAMENT FIELD AT A GLANCE
 
No. 1 Seed – Saint Martin’s University Saints                                                                                                                     9151
Roster | Statistics | Schedule
NCAA Division II National Ranking (NABC): 21 | NCAA West Region Ranking: 2
2025-26 Record: 23-5 Overall, 15-3 GNAC (1st place)
Home: 11-2 Away: 11-3 Neutral Site: 1-0
Head Coach: Aaron Landon, GNAC Coach of the Year, 8th season, 113-74 (.604), 64-45 (.587) GNAC
Regular-season Titles: 4 (2026, 2023, 2022, 2019)
 
SMU at the GNAC Championships
Semifinals: Friday, March 6 – 7:30 p.m. (PT) vs. Winner UAF/NNU
Appearances: 8 (2026, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2011)
Overall Record: 4-7
Tournament Titles: None
GNAC Championships MVPs: None
 
Most Recent Starting 5
G – Patrick Kilfoil, 6-0, Fr.
G – Kaden Hansen, 6-2, So., First-Team All-GNAC; GNAC Player of the Year
F – Pablo Navarro, 6-4, Jr.
F – Anthony Simo – 6-7, Jr.
F – Diego Trejo-Delgado, 6-7, So., First-Team All-GNAC
 
Opponent 2025-26 Season All-Time At GNAC Championships
Vs. No. 2 Alaska Anchorage 2-0 0-2
Vs. No. 3 Northwest Nazarene 2-0 0-1
Vs. No. 4 Central Washington 2-0 2-0
Vs. No. 5 Seattle Pacific 1-1 0-0
Vs. No. 6 Alaska Fairbanks 2-0 0-0
Totals 9-1 2-3
 
SAINTS IN A NUTSHELL: After narrowly missing last year’s GNAC Championships field, the Saints came back with a vengeance and cruised to their fourth GNAC regular-season title. Behind GNAC Player of the Year Kaden Hansen (20.0 ppg), fellow first-team pick Diego Trejo-Delgado (15.4 ppg) and GNAC Coach of the Year Aaron Landon, the Saints proved their mettle and are the team to beat entering the conference tournament. The Saints’ depth goes well beyond their all-conference selections, with Patrick Kilfoil being a finalist for GNAC Freshman of the Year and Dae’Kwon Watson slotting in right behind Hansen and Trejo-Delgado with an average of 13.1 points per game. In fitting fashion, Watson capped the Saints’ championship regular-season with a game-winning, buzzer-beating shot last Saturday in their 57-56 win at Alaska Anchorage.
 

No. 2 Seed – University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves                                                                                                     9986
Roster | Statistics | Schedule
NCAA West Region Ranking: 5
2025-26 Record: 20-9 Overall, 12-6 GNAC (T2nd place)
Home: 16-2 Away: 4-6 Neutral Site: 0-1
Head Coach: Rusty Osborne, 22nd season, 381-242 (.612), 222-157 (.586) GNAC
Regular-season Titles: 1 (2008)
 
UAA at the GNAC Championships
Semifinals: Friday, March 6 – 5:15 p.m. (PT) vs. Winner SPU/CWU
Appearances: 12 (2026, 2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011)
Overall Record: 8-11
Tournament Titles: None
GNAC Championships MVPs: None
 
Most Recent Starting 5
G – Cole Johnson, 6-2, Jr.
G – Hasaan Herrington, 6-3, Sr., First-Team All-GNAC; GNAC Defensive Player of the Year
G – Akok Machar, 6-7, Sr.
F – Bishop Tosi, 6-6, Sr., Honorable Mention All-GNAC
F – Sylas Williams, 6-7, Jr., Second-Team All-GNAC; GNAC Newcomer of the Year
 
Opponent 2025-26 Season All-Time At GNAC Championships
Vs. No. 1 Saint Martin’s 0-2 2-0
Vs. No. 3 Northwest Nazarene 1-1 2-0
Vs. No. 4 Central Washington 2-0 1-3
Vs. No. 5 Seattle Pacific 1-1 3-1
Vs. No. 6 Alaska Fairbanks 1-1 0-1
Totals 5-5 8-5

SEAWOLVES IN A NUTSHELL: Rusty Osborne announced that the 2025-26 season will be his last as head coach of the Seawolves, who will add that notion to their list of motivation as they seek their first GNAC Championships crown. UAA is two years removed from reaching the 2024 title game as the No. 6 seed, and this time they’ll need to win just two games instead of three after earning a first-round bye. GNAC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-GNAC guard Hasaan Herrington leads the GNAC with an assist/turnover ratio of 3.3 and is fourth in the league with 4.6 assists per game. Second-team forward and GNAC Newcomer of the Year Sylas Williams is the team’s leading scorer at 12.7 points per game and its leading rebounder at 7.6 boards per game.
 

No. 3 Seed – Northwest Nazarene University Nighthawks                                                                                                    9985
Roster | Statistics | Schedule
NCAA West Region Ranking: 6
2025-26 Record: 18-9 Overall, 12-6 GNAC (T2nd place)
Home: 12-3 Away: 5-5 Neutral Site: 1-1
Head Coach: Jon Hawkins, 3rd season, 55-27 (.671), 38-16 (.704) GNAC
Regular-season Titles: None
 
NNU at the GNAC Championships
Quarterfinals: Thursday, March 5 – 5:15 p.m. (PT) vs. No. 6 seed Alaska Fairbanks
Appearances: 9 (2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2015, 2011)
Overall Record: 6-7
Tournament Titles: 1 (2023)
GNAC Championships MVPs: 1 (Ryzin Bergerson, 2023)
 
Most Recent Starting 5
G – Jaden Byers, 6-2, Sr., Honorable Mention All-GNAC
G – Garrett Hawkes, 6-3, Sr., Honorable Mention All-GNAC
F – Briggs Ranstrom, 6-6, Jr.
F – Easton Reagan, 6-5, Jr., First-Team All-GNAC
C – Michael Day, 6-10, Jr.
 
Opponent 2025-26 Season All-Time At GNAC Championships
Vs. No. 1 Saint Martin’s 0-2 1-0
Vs. No. 2 Alaska Anchorage 1-1 0-2
Vs. No. 4 Central Washington 0-2 1-1
Vs. No. 5 Seattle Pacific 2-0 1-3
Vs. No. 6 Alaska Fairbanks 2-0 0-1
Totals 5-5 3-7

NIGHTHAWKS IN A NUTSHELL: In his third year with the team, first-team all-GNAC forward Easton Reagan came to life and had one of the top individual seasons across the conference. He ranked second in the league with 19.7 points per game and was second on the squad with 5.6 rebounds per game, helping the Nighthawks to their third consecutive runner-up finish in the GNAC standings. Honorable mention guards Jaden Byers (12.9 ppg) and Garrett Hawkes (9.6 ppg) are two more crucial pieces, while veteran Briggs Ranstrom’s GNAC Player of the Week honor Monday suggests he is playing towards the top of his game at the right time of the season.
 

No. 4 Seed – Central Washington University Wildcats                                                                                                         9984
Roster | Statistics | Schedule
NCAA West Region Ranking: Not ranked.
2025-26 Record: 15-14 Overall, 9-9 GNAC (T4th place)
Home: 9-4 Away: 3-7 Neutral Site: 3-3
Head Coach: Brandon Rinta, 8th season, 120-90 (.571), 67-61 (.523) GNAC
Regular-season Titles: 2 (2025, 2011)
 
CWU at the GNAC Championships
Quarterfinals: Thursday, March 5 – 7:30 p.m. (PT) vs. No. 5 seed Seattle Pacific
Appearances: 10 (2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011)
Overall Record: 12-8
Tournament Titles: 2 (2024, 2011)
GNAC Championships MVPs: 2 (Jamar Berry, 2011; Samaad Hector, 2024)
 
Most Recent Starting 5
G – Jordan Clark, 6-2, Jr., First-Team All-GNAC
G – Bradley Swillie, 6-3, Jr., Honorable Mention All-GNAC
G – Eli Williams, 6-4, So.
F – Garrett Marrs, 6-9, Fr.
C – Calvin Sisk, 7-2, Sr.
 
Opponent 2025-26 Season All-Time At GNAC Championships
Vs. No. 1 Saint Martin’s 0-2 0-2
Vs. No. 2 Alaska Anchorage 0-2 3-1
Vs. No. 3 Northwest Nazarene 2-0 1-1
Vs. No. 5 Seattle Pacific 1-1 2-2
Vs. No. 6 Alaska Fairbanks 1-1 0-1
Totals 4-6 6-7
 
WILDCATS IN A NUTSHELL: Jordan Clark, who played a key role on both CWU’s GNAC Championships tournament title team in 2024 and its 2025 regular-season champion squad, has put together perhaps his best season yet. The junior garnered first-team all-league recognition after ranking sixth in the conference with 18.2 points per game, seventh with 4.0 assists per game and fourth with 2.6 made 3-pointers per game. The Wildcats faced a must-win regular-season finale against Simon Fraser on Saturday, and delivered a clutch, 86-66 triumph to earn their fifth-consecutive GNAC Championships tournament berth.
 

No. 5 Seed – Seattle Pacific University Falcons                                                                                                                 9983
Roster | Statistics | Schedule
NCAA West Region Ranking:
2025-26 Record: 14-11 Overall, 9-9 GNAC (T4th place)
Home: 10-3 Away: 4-7 Neutral Site: 0-1
Head Coach: Keffrey Fazio, 3rd season, 49-41 (.544), 30-24 (.556) GNAC
Regular-season Titles: 4 (2020, 2014, 2010, 2006)
 
SPU at the GNAC Championships
Quarterfinals: Thursday, March 5 – 7:30 p.m. (PT) vs. No. 4 seed Central Washington
Appearances: 14 (2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011)
Overall Record: 14-8
Tournament Titles: 5 (2025, 2019, 2015, 2014, 2013)
GNAC Championships MVPs: 5 (Mason Landdeck, 2025; Coleman Wooten, 2019; Cory Hutsen, 2015; David Downs, 2013 & 2014)
 
Most Recent Starting 5
G – Theo McMillan, 6-2, Jr., Honorable Mention All-GNAC
G – Julian Mora, 5-11, Jr.
G – Henry Sandberg, 6-4, So.
F – Grant Coleman, 6-8, Sr.
F – Trace Evans, 6-9, Sr., Second-Team All-GNAC
 
Opponent 2025-26 Season All-Time At GNAC Championships
Vs. No. 1 Saint Martin’s 1-1 0-0
Vs. No. 2 Alaska Anchorage 1-1 1-3
Vs. No. 3 Northwest Nazarene 0-2 3-1
Vs. No. 4 Central Washington 1-1 2-2
Vs. No. 6 Alaska Fairbanks 1-1 1-0
Totals 4-6 7-6

FALCONS IN A NUTSHELL: Like the Wildcats, the Falcons had a do-or-die game against Montana State Billings last Saturday and found a way to pull out an 87-85 triumph. Second-team forward Trace Evans led the way with 13.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game during the regular season, and is a key returner from last year’s tournament-winning squad. Junior guard Julian Mora is another Falcon who has proven to shine brightest in the postseason, evidenced by his 6-for-9 shooting from the perimeter in last season’s GNAC Championships.
 

No. 6 Seed – University of Alaska Nanooks                                                                                                            9982
Roster | Statistics | Schedule
NCAA West Region Ranking:
2025-26 Record: 14-13 Overall, 9-9 GNAC (T4th place)
Home: 9-4 Away: 4-6 Neutral Site: 1-3
Head Coach: Frank Ostanik, 5th season, 83-59 (.585), 50-38 (.568) GNAC
Regular-season Titles: 2 (co-2005, co-2003)
 
UAF at the GNAC Championships
Quarterfinals: Thursday, March 5 – 5:15 p.m. (PT) vs. No. 3 seed Northwest Nazarene
Appearances: 7 (2026, 2025, 2022, 2020, 2016, 2014, 2013)
Overall Record: 8-11
Tournament Titles: 1 (2022)
GNAC Championships MVPs: 1 (Shadeed Shabazz, 2022)
 
Most Recent Starting 5
G – Tyriq Luke, 6-0, Jr.
G – Tariq Weiser, 6-3, Jr.
G – Mike Miller, 6-4, Jr., Second-Team All-GNAC
F – Davis Crilly, 6-5, Jr., Honorable Mention All-GNAC
F – Luke Fotheringham, 6-6, Jr.
 
Opponent 2025-26 Season All-Time At GNAC Championships
Vs. No. 1 Saint Martin’s 0-2 0-0
Vs. No. 2 Alaska Anchorage 1-1 1-0
Vs. No. 3 Northwest Nazarene 0-2 1-0
Vs. No. 4 Central Washington 1-1 1-0
Vs. No. 5 Seattle Pacific 1-1 0-1
Totals 3-7 3-1
 
NANOOKS IN A NUTSHELL: The Nanooks tend to find magic when it comes to the GNAC Championships, having gone a combined 3-1 in the tournament against this year’s field of teams. In 2022 Alaska proved that seeding is just a number, as it went 4-0 as the No. 10 seed to shock the field and win its first GNAC men’s basketball trophy. The Nanooks came through when urgency was at its peak, winning three of their final four games to close the regular season and secure their spot in the conference tournament. Junior guard Mike Miller earned second-team all-conference honors, after leading the squad and ranking eighth in the conference in scoring at 15.6 points per game.