The Santa Clara men’s basketball team is heading to the 2026 NCAA Tournament as an at-large bid. In the West Coast Conference Tournament, the Broncos defeated Pacific 76-68 and Saint Mary’s 76-71 before losing 79-68 to Gonzaga in the championship game.
The Broncos are 26-8 entering the Big Dance.
Santa Clara NCAA Tournament Appearances
In 2026, Santa Clara basketball will make its 12th appearance in the Division I NCAA Tournament. This is its first appearance since 1996.
The Broncos also reached the tourney in 1952, 1953, 1954, 1960, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1987, 1993, 1995, and 1996.
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Santa Clara NCAA Tournament Wins
Santa Clara has won 11 games in the Division I NCAA Tournament, defeating UCLA and Wyoming in 1952, Hardin-Simmons and Wyoming in 1953, Texas Tech and Colorado State in 1954, New Mexico in 1968, Weber State in 1969, Long Beach State in 1970, Arizona in 1993, and Maryland in 1996.
The Broncos have an 11-14 overall record in the Big Dance after losing to Kentucky in 2026.
They reached the Final Four in 1952, and the Elite Eight in 1952, 1953, 1954, 1968, and 1969.
Santa Clara Basketball Coach Herb Sendek
Herb Sendek is in his 10th season leading the Santa Clara program.
Entering the 2025-26 season, Sendek owns a 161-120 overall record (.573), and he has the fourth-most wins in Santa Clara history. The Broncos have had eight winning seasons under Sendek, including seven straight entering this year.
His college head coaching experience dates back to 1993, when he spent a few seasons at Miami (OH). Sendek was then NC State’s head coach from 1996 to 2006 before leading the Arizona State program from 2006 to 2015.
