Elmhurst University head coach John Baines called it "an unbelievable opportunity for our program."

The Bluejays men's basketball team has been selected as one of eight elite Division III programs to compete in the inaugural NABC Division III Tournament in Las Vegas on Monday, Dec. 21, and Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2026, the university announced Wednesday, July 16.

Elmhurst will open against Emory University in the Bracket 2 semifinal on Dec. 21. The winner advances to the championship game the following day; the loser plays a consolation game. The other Bracket 2 semifinal pits the University of Redlands against Trine University.

"This should be the premier Division III event of the season," Baines said in the university's announcement. "Our players are going to have a first-class experience, and our fans are going to be treated to some high-level competition."

A field stacked with Final Four programs

The tournament, presented by D3hoops.com and organized by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, evolved from the D3hoops.com Classic, which ran for 15 seasons as an annual Division III showcase in Las Vegas. Five of the eight teams in the new event have reached the Division III Final Four in the last five seasons, according to D3hoops.com Executive Editor Patrick Coleman.

Bracket 1 features the University of Chicago, Keene State College, Randolph-Macon College and Wabash College.

Elmhurst belongs in that company. Under Baines, the Bluejays reached the NCAA Division III championship game in March 2022, beating Wabash 90-68 in the national semifinal before falling 75-45 to Randolph-Macon. The program has made five NCAA tournament appearances in the past decade and compiled a 9-4 postseason record under Baines, according to the Elmhurst Athletics coaching profile.

Recent trajectory

In 2025-26, Elmhurst finished third in the CCIW with a 10-6 league record and reached the conference tournament championship game before falling to Illinois Wesleyan 69-59. Baines won the IBCA Division III Co-Coach of the Year award after the 2019-20 season, when Elmhurst captured its first CCIW Tournament title in program history.

What comes next

The NABC has not yet announced game times, the specific Las Vegas venue, ticket information or broadcast details for the Dec. 21-22 event. Each team is guaranteed two games.

The Bluejays' full 2026-27 nonconference and CCIW schedule has not yet been released.