CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa / DUBUQUE, Iowa -- The semifinals are set in the 2026 American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Men's Basketball Tournament. The semifinals will be played Thursday, February 26 in Dubuque, Iowa and Lincoln, Nebraska. The winners of the two games will meet at the highest remaining seed for the championship game on Saturday, February 28.
The three-seeded Coe College defeated six-seeded Wartburg College 66-50 to advance to the semifinals to face two-seeded Loras College. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening from Lillis Court in Dubuque, Iowa.
The fourth-seeded University of Dubuque took down fifth-seeded Buena Vista University 76-53 to advance to the semifinal round. The Spartans will face top-seeded Nebraska Wesleyan University on Thursday night from the campus of Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln, Nebraska.
A full preview of the semifinal games will be available on Thursday.
First Round - Tuesday, February 24
No. 5 Buena Vista University (53) at No. 4 University of Dubuque (76)
No. 6 Wartburg College (50) at No. 3 Coe College (66)
Semifinals - Thursday, February 26
No. 4 University of Dubuque at No. 1 Nebraska Wesleyan University - 7:00 p.m.
No. 3 Coe College at No. 2 Loras College - 7:00 p.m.
Championship - Saturday, February 28
Semifinal #1 Winner vs. Semifinal #2 Winner
About the American Rivers Conference
Nationally respected for excellence in NCAA Division III athletics, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has a tradition dating back to its founding in 1922 as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect its strong Iowa roots and growing regional footprint. The A-R-C is a collaborative community that champions the holistic development of student-athletes, uniting member institutions in a shared commitment to academic achievement, athletic distinction, and leadership.
The A-R-C is home to nine full-time member institutions: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College. Luther College has announced its departure from the conference, effective at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.
