WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University men's basketball team will once again take the national stage early in the 2026-27 season, as the Hilltoppers have been selected to compete in the 2026 Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic.
The prestigious event will be held November 7-8 at Jenkins Fieldhouse on the campus of Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, bringing together 10 of the top NCAA Division II programs from across the country.
West Liberty will open the event on Saturday, November 7, against host Florida Southern at 5:45 p.m., before returning to the court on Sunday, November 8, to face Washburn at 8:00 p.m.
"Anytime we have the opportunity to represent West Liberty University in a nationally respected event like the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, it is a no-brainer for us to say yes," said head coach Mike Lamberti. "This tournament consistently features outstanding teams and tremendous tradition, so it will be an excellent early-season challenge for our program. We are grateful to John McCarthy for the invitation and look forward to representing Topper Nation on a national stage."
The Hall of Fame Classic, one of the premier early-season showcases in Division II men's basketball, will feature a full slate of 10 games across two days. The event continues to highlight some of the nation's top programs while providing a high-level competitive environment early in the season.
"This field is loaded! Division II basketball fans rejoice!" said Small College Basketball's John McCarthy. "Basketball fans from throughout the country will really enjoy watching some of the finest teams in all of NCAA Division II compete in the most prestigious in-season event in NCAA Division II basketball."
The 2026 field includes Central Missouri, Gannon, Oklahoma Baptist, Cal State East Bay, Lander, Black Hills State, Florida Southern, Washburn, Point Loma Nazarene, and West Liberty.
This marks the fifth straight year the Hall of Fame Classic will feature a 10-team format. Since its inception in 2016, the event has grown into one of the most respected showcases in Division II basketball, previously held in Evansville, Indiana, and St. Joseph, Missouri, before moving to Lakeland in 2022.
West Liberty's inclusion continues the program's tradition of competing on the national stage against elite competition. The Hilltoppers will be tested immediately with a matchup against a strong Florida Southern squad on its home floor, followed by a Sunday night contest against perennial power Washburn.
Additional information on the Hall of Fame Classic can be found at smallcollegebasketball.com.
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.
