SAN BRUNO, Calif. – West Coast Conference men's basketball increased its number of teams competing in the postseason to four when Seattle U was announced in the NIT field Sunday evening after Gonzaga, Saint Mary's and Santa Clara were named to the NCAA Tournament field earlier in the day. The Redhawks reached the 20-win plateau this season. 

Seattle U is a No. 4 seed, hosting St. Thomas (Minn) on Tuesday, March 17, at 7 p.m. on ESPN+ from Redhawk Center. 

Most recently, Seattle U advanced to the third round of the Credit Union 1 West Coast Conference Basketball Championship. After defeating San Diego in the second round, 58-56, the Redhawks fell to Pacific in the third round, 61-58. 

Seattle U (20-13, 8-10) enjoyed a six-game winning streak to conclude non-conference play, which was its longest winning streak since the 2022-23 season. The 11-2 non-conference record was also the best since 1966-67 when SU also started 11-2. West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year Will Heimbrodt is sixth in the nation in blocked shots at 2.56 bpg, including four in his most recent game against Pacific in the Credit Union 1 West Coast Conference Men's Basketball Championship. He has recorded four or more blocks in a game eight times this season. Seattle U boasts a top-30 scoring defense nationally, currently ranked No. 29, allowing 67.0 ppg. Since Feb. 15, the Redhawks went 5-2 with one of those two losses a two-point loss against Saint Mary’s. During that span, Seattle U held five of its seven opponents to fewer than 70 points.

The Redhawks beat St. Thomas in their only meeting back on Nov. 27, 2021. Seattle U won, 81-64 from Climate Pledge Arena. 

2026 NIT Schedule
No. 4 seed Seattle U vs. St. Thomas (Minn)
Tuesday, March 17, Redhawk Center, at 7 p.m. on ESPN+