Matchups for the 2026 Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic Announced
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Matchups for the 2026 Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic, an event with six teams playing three standalone games, will be played on Nov. 20 and 22 at TD Arena in Charleston, S.C.
The six participating teams are Dayton, Minnesota, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Utah, and Virginia Tech
Date Time Network Away Home
Fri, Nov. 20 12:30p ESPN2 Oklahoma St. Minnesota
Fri, Nov. 20 3:00p ESPN2 Northwestern Virginia Tech
Fri, Nov. 20 5:30p ESPN2 Dayton Utah
Date Time Network Away Home
Sun, Nov. 22 1:00p ESPN2 Dayton Northwestern
Sun, Nov. 22 3:30p ESPN Virginia Tech Oklahoma St.
Sun, Nov. 22 6:00p ESPN2 Utah Minnesota
Day 1 Match-up Highlights
• Oklahoma State vs. Minnesota: A matchup featuring an Oklahoma State team coming off a 20-15 season and NIT Second Round appearance against a Minnesota squad led by returning senior forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, who averaged 13.4 points and a team-high 6.8 rebounds per game last season. Oklahoma State also returns senior guard Kanye Clary, who averaged 10.6 points and 4.6 assists in 2025-26.
• Northwestern vs. Virginia Tech: Two former Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic champions will face off, with Northwestern winning the tournament in 2011 and Virginia Tech claiming the title in 2018. The matchup brings together two programs with a proven history of success in Charleston and adds another chapter to the tournament’s championship history.
• Dayton vs. Utah: Dayton and Utah will meet for just the third time in program history, with the previous two matchups coming more than six decades ago. Dayton won the first meeting 77-73 in 1955, before Utah earned a 79-70 victory in 1958. The Charleston Classic matchup will mark the first meeting between the programs since then.
Day 2 Match-up Highlights
• Dayton vs. Northwestern: The Flyers and Wildcats will tip off Day 2 in a matchup featuring a remarkably close recent series. The last two meetings between the programs both ended 71-66, with Northwestern winning in 2023 before Dayton returned the favor in 2024. The Charleston Classic will give the two programs another opportunity to renew the series on a neutral court.
• Virginia Tech vs. Oklahoma State: An ACC vs. Big 12 matchup featuring two Power Four programs with recent postseason experience. Virginia Tech is led by senior forward Amani Hansberry, who averaged 14.3 points per game and earned NABC First Team All-East Region honors last season, while Oklahoma State is coming off a 20-15 season and NIT Second Round appearance.
• Utah vs. Minnesota: Utah and Minnesota will meet for the sixth time in program history, with the Utes holding a 3-2 advantage in the all-time series. The teams last met in 2019, when Utah earned a 73-69 victory in Salt Lake City. The Charleston Classic matchup will mark the first meeting between the programs since then.
Owned and operated by ESPN Events, the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic is in its 18th year. Past Classic champions include Utah State and Clemson (2025), Drake (2024), Houston (2023), College of Charleston (2022), St. Bonaventure (2021), and Florida (2020).
The family-friendly event provides participating teams with a week of competition, practice, and unique experiences throughout historic Charleston. The Charleston Classic website offers information on things to do in the historic city, tickets, and additional event details. Tickets will go on sale after the matchups and game times are announced later this summer.