The Hope International Royals face the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats in the NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament Round of 16 on Thursday. The game, set for March 19, 2026, will take place at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City. Hope International, entering as the No. 3 seed in the Cramer Quadrant, boasts a record of 25-6, marking their most wins since the 2017-18 season. This matchup is notable as it鈥檚 the first encounter between these teams and HIU's first against a No. 2 seed in the tournament.

By the Numbers
  • Hope International averages 79.7 points per game this season, ranked seventh on their single-season list.
  • The Royals have won their last two games in the NAIA Tournament with scores of 66-53 and 79-76.
State of Play
  • The Royals are coming off a victory in the Second Round against Keiser, showing strong offensive efficiency in the second half.
  • This is their first time advancing to the Round of 16 in the current 64-team tournament structure.
What's Next

With a solid performance, the Royals could build momentum into the later rounds of the tournament. Their scoring prowess and defensive strategies will be crucial against Indiana Wesleyan.

Bottom Line

Hope International's success hinges on their ability to maintain strong offensive play and capitalize on key player performances, particularly from Nick Hopkins and Aman Haynes, as they aim for a deep tournament run.