(BCSNN) -- The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament bracket was unveiled Sunday evening, and for the first time since the 1998–99 season, two Mid‑American Conference programs earned spots in the field of 68.

Akron secured the MAC’s automatic bid after winning its third straight conference tournament title Saturday night. The No. 12 Zips (—) will face No. 5 Texas Tech on Friday, March 20, at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla.

Regular‑season champion Miami earned the league’s first at‑large selection in more than 20 years after completing an undefeated 31‑0 regular season. The No. 11 RedHawks (—) will meet No. 11 SMU in a First Four matchup on Wednesday, March 18, at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.

This marks a historic moment for the MAC, which last placed multiple teams in the NCAA Tournament during the 1998–99 campaign.