The 2025-26 season will forever be remembered as one of the most historic campaigns in Prairie View A&M men's basketball history. Under the leadership of 11th season head coach Byron Smith, the Panthers authored an unforgettable postseason run that culminated in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament Championship, an NCAA Tournament appearance, and the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory.
Prairie View A&M finished the season with a 19-18 overall and 9-9 SWAC record, overcoming adversity throughout the year before catching fire at the right time. Entering the SWAC Tournament as the No. 8 seed, the Panthers put together one of the most remarkable championship runs in conference history, knocking off higher-seeded opponents on their way to capturing the program's third SWAC Tournament title and securing an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
The Panthers were led by a veteran core that consistently delivered in the biggest moments. SWAC Tournament MVP Dontae Horne spearheaded the postseason charge, while key contributions from Cory Wells, Lance Williams, and Tai'Reon Joseph helped fuel the Panthers' championship run.
Prairie View A&M's magical March continued in Dayton, Ohio, where the Panthers faced Lehigh in the NCAA Tournament First Four. Behind a game-high 25 points from Horne and a double-double performance from Wells, the Panthers secured a 67-55 victory, earning the first NCAA Tournament win in program history. The milestone victory marked a defining moment for the university and elevated the Panthers onto the national stage.
The Panthers' historic journey advanced to the NCAA Tournament First Round, where they faced No. 1 overall seed Florida. While the season came to an end against the eventual national contender, the accomplishment of reaching the NCAA Tournament and recording the program's first tournament victory cemented the 2025-26 team as one of the most accomplished squads in school history.
Throughout the season, Prairie View A&M showcased resilience, determination, and championship character. From battling through a challenging regular season to cutting down the nets as SWAC Champions and making history in March Madness, the Panthers demonstrated what it means to compete at the highest level.
The 2025-26 campaign will be remembered as a season that redefined Prairie View A&M basketball, a season that delivered a conference championship, a return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, and the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history. The Panthers not only brought a championship back to The Hill, but they also established a new benchmark for success that will inspire future generations of Panther basketball players.
