COLUMBIA, Ky. – The Lindsey Wilson men's basketball team will open play in the 2026 NAIA National Tournament on Friday when the Blue Raiders face No. 24 Graceland (Iowa) in the First Round at 7 p.m. CT at Platt Arena in Huntington, Indiana.
Lindsey Wilson enters the national tournament with an 18-11 overall record after finishing 6-6 in Mid-South Conference play. The Blue Raiders average 81.4 points per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three-point range. Lindsey Wilson also holds a +1.7 rebounding margin while averaging 7.9 steals and 3.7 blocks per contest.
Kenyata Carbon leads the Blue Raiders with 19.2 points per game while shooting 57.8 percent from the floor.
Mihail Gavazov adds 11.5 points and a team-high 5.9 rebounds per contest while shooting 42.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Julian Cunningham contributes 10.8 points per game and leads the team with 58 made three-pointers this season.
DJ Gordon averages 9.0 points per game and is shooting 43.0 percent from three-point range, while
Victory Naboya adds 8.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest to give the Blue Raiders additional scoring and presence in the paint.
Graceland enters the national tournament averaging 82.7 points per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 37.0 percent from three-point range. The Yellowjackets are strong on the glass, averaging 38.2 rebounds per game while holding an +8.4 rebounding margin over opponents.
Cole Bowen leads Graceland with 20.3 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field and 76 percent from the free-throw line. Carson Busch adds 15.4 points per contest and shoots 42.9 percent from three-point range. Runey Hernandez averages 11.7 points per game, while Deundra Roberson contributes 10.6 points per contest.
Friday's matchup features two efficient offensive teams with Lindsey Wilson relying on balanced scoring and perimeter shooting while Graceland looks to control the glass and play strong defense. The Yellowjackets allow just 68.4 points per game and hold opponents to 39.9 percent shooting from the field.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on Friday at Platt Arena in Huntington, Indiana.
