What Is 2022 NAIA men's basketball tournament

Overview

The 2022 NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament marked the 84th edition of the national championship event for small-college men's basketball programs in the United States. Held annually in March, the tournament brings together 64 of the top NAIA teams to compete for the national title in a single-elimination format.

This year’s event returned to Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium, the traditional home of the NAIA tournament since 1937, with fans and teams welcomed back after limited attendance in 2021 due to the pandemic. Columbia College (MO) emerged as champions, capturing their first-ever national title in program history.

• March 4–9, 2022: The tournament spanned six days, beginning with the First Round on Friday and concluding with the championship game on Wednesday, March 9.
• 64 teams: The field included 64 teams selected via automatic bids from conference champions and at-large selections by the NAIA National Selection Committee.
• Columbia (MO) Cougars: The Cougars entered the tournament as the No. 5 seed and finished with a 32–3 overall record after winning the title.
• Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles: The Eagles reached the championship game for the first time, finishing as runners-up with a 31–4 record.
• Championship result: Columbia defeated Oklahoma Wesleyan 73–65 in the final, led by 18 points from guard Jalen Cannon and strong defensive execution.

How It Works

The NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament operates under a structured format designed to balance competitive fairness and national representation. Teams qualify based on conference performance and national rankings, culminating in a high-stakes, single-elimination bracket.

• Qualification: 64 teams earn bids—automatic qualifiers from conference champions and the remainder selected at-large by a national committee.
• Seeding: The top 16 teams are seeded nationally, helping to distribute power programs across the bracket to avoid early matchups.
• Single-elimination: Each game is win-or-go-home, increasing pressure and unpredictability, especially in early-round upsets.
• Host city: Kansas City, Missouri, has hosted the tournament since 1937, making it one of the longest-running site traditions in college sports.
• Game format: Games are 40 minutes long, divided into two 20-minute halves, with standard NAIA rules applied throughout the tournament.
• All-Tournament Team: Five standout players are selected post-championship, with Columbia’s Jalen Cannon named MVP in 2022.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2022 NAIA tournament can be better understood by comparing it to recent editions and its NCAA Division II counterpart.

This comparison highlights how the 2022 NAIA tournament returned to full strength after the 2020 cancellation and a limited 2021 event. While NCAA Division II also features small-college teams, it uses a 64-team format but holds games at various regional sites before the finals, unlike the NAIA’s centralized Kansas City model.

Why It Matters

The 2022 NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament is significant not only for crowning a national champion but also for showcasing elite talent from smaller institutions often overlooked in mainstream college sports. It provides vital exposure, recruitment opportunities, and national recognition for student-athletes and programs.

• Player development: Many NAIA athletes use the tournament as a platform to pursue professional careers overseas or in minor leagues.
• School visibility: A deep tournament run can boost enrollment and fundraising for small private colleges.
• Historic achievement: Columbia (MO) winning its first title marked a milestone for the program and its coaching staff.
• Community impact: The event brings thousands of fans to Kansas City annually, generating economic benefits for local businesses.
• Tradition: The tournament’s 84-year history makes it one of the oldest continuous events in college basketball.
• Pathway to pros: Former NAIA players like Chandler Hutchison (NBA) prove the league’s competitive credibility.

The 2022 tournament reaffirmed the NAIA’s role in developing well-rounded student-athletes and preserving the spirit of competitive small-college basketball on a national stage.