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Player Reports to Debut at 2026 NCAA Men's and Women's College Basketball Tournaments

Lou Monaco

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Publish Date: Oct 30, 2025

Fact checked by: Sara Jane Gamelli

Key Points

Player availability reports to be released during 2026 men's and women's college basketball tournaments.
Reports are intended to help protect student-athletes from sports betting influences.
All 68 teams in each tournament must submit reports to the NCAA the night before competition and again two hours before tipoff.

March Madness will have a different look in 2026.

The NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Committees announced late Thursday that their Indianapolis headquarters will release player availability reports for both the Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Championships, with the implementation intended to help protect student-athletes from sports betting influences.

The governing body of college athletics believes that the reports can reduce betting-related pressure, solicitations, and harassment that student-athletes receive connected to their playing status.

Reports, which will be handled by provider HD Intelligence (HDI), will be applicable for all games played in both tournaments and will be made available to the public. All 68 teams in each tournament must submit initial reports to the NCAA the night before competition and again two hours before game time to ensure accuracy.

Currently, HDI works with over 100 basketball programs and provides similar services to multiple NCAA member conferences, including the Big East and SEC, according to its website.

"After months of thorough discussion and exploration, I applaud the Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Committees for taking such important action," NCAA President Charlie Baker said in a news release. "Implementing player availability reporting is a major step to increasing student-athlete protections by alleviating pressures for the enhancement of their college experience."

NCAA 2026 Basketball: Player Reports & Tournament Dates

One important note: players will be considered available unless designated questionable or out. Failure to comply or accurately report play availability may result in penalties for the school, which will be determined by the Men's and Women's Basketball Committees.

Once integrated, the NCAA will assess continuing player availability at subsequent Division I basketball championships and other championships.

The men's college basketball tournament will be played from Tuesday, March 17, through Monday, April 6, with Selection Sunday on March 15, while the women's college basketball tournament runs from Wednesday, March 18, through April 5, with Selection Sunday also on March 15.

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