Men's Basketball 3/2/2026 1:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

Postseason Arrives For Broncho Basketball

Central Oklahoma Faces Pittsburg State Wednesday Night In Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State will open the 2026 MIAA Men's Basketball Championship Wednesday at 6 p.m. inside historic Municipal Auditorium.

The Bronchos are the No. 9 seed in the 10-team postseason tournament. Pitt State is the No. 8 seed. The two meet in the first round with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals to meet No. 1 seed Washburn Thursday night at 6 p.m.

"We're looking forward to being there, thankful to be there, it's always a great tournament and we'll see what happens," seventh-year UCO head men's basketball coach Bob Hoffman said. "Considering the year we've had with how many of our guys have missed time it's amazing that we made it. It's a credit to our guys' resiliency. We'll see what happens this week but I know our guys are ready to go."

Central Oklahoma takes a 16-15 overall record into the postseason. The Bronchos went 9-10 in the MIAA this year. The No. 9 seed is the lowest in Hoffman's seven seasons. UCO has made the MIAA Basketball Championship in each of his first six seasons, has played in the semifinals four times and reached the championship game twice including last season.

The Bronchos were the No. 8 seed a year ago, won the first-round game, upset No. 1 Washburn in the quarters, then eliminated Pitt State in the semifinals before falling to Fort Hays State in the championship game.

Central Oklahoma has made 12 appearances in the MIAA Basketball Championship in 13 seasons since joining the league. The Bronchos have a 16-12 all-time record. UCO is 6-1 in the first round, 7-4 in the quarterfinals, 3-4 in the semifinals, and 0-3 in championship games.

Of the 28 games UCO has played in the MIAA Basketball Championship since joining the league in 2012-13, the Bronchos are 10-11 in Municipal Auditorium. A previous format had first round games on campus sites and Central is 5-0 in those games, all in Edmond. The 2021 tournament was adjusted due to the pandemic and UCO won in Joplin, Missouri before falling the semifinals in Maryville, Mo.

Wednesday night marks the third meeting between Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State this season. UCO traveled to Pitt in December and lost 77-63, but avenged that with a win in Edmond, 69-59, in January.

The Bronchos and the Gorillas have met 42 times on the hardwood and Central Oklahoma has a 23-19 advantage in the all-time series. UCO led 10-8 before joining the MIAA and is 13-11 since. The two have only met twice in the postseason. Pitt ended Central's 2023-24 season in the quarterfinals and UCO ended PSU's 2024-25 season in the semifinals.

Central Oklahoma enters the postseason averaging 72.5 points per game. The Bronchos have a plus-3.8 scoring margin, allowing 68.7 points per game on the season. UCO shoots 44.4 percent from the floor overall, 31.0 percent from 3-point territory with an average of 5.6 makes per game, and 72.1 percent from the free-throw line, with an average of 14.3 makes per game.

Opponents are shooting 42.5 percent against the Bronchos. Teams manage a 34.4 percent 3-point make rate with 7.5 makes per game. UCO opponents are also shooting 71.0 percent at the free-throw line and average 11.4 made free-throws per game.

Matthew Willenborg has led Central Oklahoma in most statistical categories this season. The junior forward has played most minutes (1,048) and leads the team in field goals made (235), field goals attempted (482), 3-pointers made (55), 3-pointers attempted (156), free-throws made (118), and free-throws attempted (146), as well as rebounds (293) and blocked shots (97).

Willenborg finished second in the MIAA in scoring during the regular season, just three points behind the leader. He did lead the league in rebounding and blocked shots. Willenborg ranks third in the country in blocks and blocks per game.

Josh Nwankwo finished fourth in the league in scoring this season averaging 18.1 points per game. The senior guard is second to Willenborg in shots made and attempted and free-throws made and attempted. He is also second in rebounding (5.3 per game). Nwankwo leads the team with 3.4 assists per game and 2.5 steals per game.

Parker Hannah is Central's third leading scorer at 8.8 points per game this season. The junior guard has 46 made 3-pointers in 29 games this season. Marcus Zeigler Jr. averages 8.3 points per game and dishes out 3.3 assists per game.

Ben Averitt (5.7 points), Jack Robinson (4.6), and Brady Hancuff (3.5) are also key contributors for the Bronchos.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Ben Averitt: G; 6' 6"; Senior

#22 Parker Hannah: G; 6' 2"; Junior

#15 Jack Robinson: G; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#21 Matthew Willenborg: F; 6' 7"; Junior

#23 Brady Hancuff: F; 6' 7"; Freshman

#2 Josh Nwankwo: F; 6' 6"; Senior

#5 Marcus Zeigler Jr.: G; 6' 1"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#12 Ben Averitt
: 6' 6"; Senior
: G

#22 Parker Hannah
: 6' 2"; Junior
: G

#15 Jack Robinson
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G

#21 Matthew Willenborg
: 6' 7"; Junior
: F

#23 Brady Hancuff
: 6' 7"; Freshman
: F

#2 Josh Nwankwo
: 6' 6"; Senior
: F

#5 Marcus Zeigler Jr.
: 6' 1"; Junior
: G