May 14, 2026
Men's Basketball to Play in 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame Classic
Blue Devils to face Brown in doubleheader to be held at MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced today that the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic will return to the MassMutual Center on Sunday, December 6, featuring UMass vs. Wake Forest and Brown vs. Central Connecticut State (CCSU). The event is made possible in partnership with Explore Western Mass, Springfield Business Improvement District, UMass, and the MassMutual Center.
"We are proud to announce the field for the 2026 Hall of Fame Tip-Off," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. "This event reflects our continued commitment to the Springfield community and the partners who make it possible. With three of the four programs calling New England home, we look forward to welcoming a passionate regional fanbase to the 'Birthplace of Basketball' this December."
The 2026 field brings together four programs with compelling storylines heading into December. Wake Forest brings a storied Hall of Fame connection to Springfield - the Demon Deacons' last meeting with UMass came in 1996, when a then second-ranked Wake Forest, led by future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan (Class of 2020), knocked off the Minutemen, 71-47. Now, 30 years later, the two programs meet again at the MassMutual Center. Brown and CCSU will renew a regional series that was last played in 2022, with the Bears winning seven of the last nine matchups between the programs. Both teams will make a short trip to Springfield for the event, as CCSU travels approximately 45 minutes from New Britain, Conn., while Brown makes the roughly 90-minute drive from Providence - a homecoming of sorts for Bears head coach Mike Martin, a Springfield native.
"We're thrilled to welcome the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic back to the MassMutual Center," said Sean Dolan, General Manager of the MassMutual Center. "This event has become a great tradition for our building and community, bringing passionate fans and great energy to downtown Springfield each year. It's always special to host an event connected to the prestige and history of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame right here in the birthplace of basketball."
Tickets go on sale Friday, September 11, at massmutualcenter.com.
Details surrounding the game time, broadcast information, and credentials will be announced at a later date. For more information, please visit hoophall.com or follow @HoophallU on Instagram and X.
UMass vs. Wake Forest Series History
The Minutemen and Demon Deacons have split the two previous matchups. The teams last met 30 years ago, with Wake Forest winning 71-47 at home on December 14, 1996 - a game led by future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan.
Quotes from Head Coaches:
"Once again, we are extremely excited about participating in a Hall of Fame event in Springfield, Massachusetts. Competing against Wake Forest, a great member of the ACC, will be something that will empower our team to grow and give us great visibility." Frank Martin | UMass
"Our program is looking forward to the opportunity to play against UMass in the 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Springfield, which celebrates college basketball in the birthplace of this sport. Led by coach Frank Martin, UMass is a tradition-rich program and we look forward to the challenge of playing against them on December 6." Steve Forbes | Wake Forest
CCSU vs. Brown Series History
The Bears lead the Blue Devils in their all-time series, 7-3, winning seven of the last nine matchups. The teams last met three years ago, with Brown winning 59-51 on the road on November 29, 2022.
Quotes from Head Coaches:
"The Basketball Hall of Fame does a great job putting together these events. Playing at the MassMutual Center will be a positive experience for our program and will be an opportunity to play a strong early-season opponent at a neutral site." Patrick Sellers | CCSU
"We are excited to participate in the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in December at the Mass Mutual Center. It will be a great opportunity for our program to compete in the city of Springfield, the birthplace of basketball, against a really strong, tradition-rich program in Central Connecticut."
Mike Martin | Brown
About MassMutual Center
MassMutual Center is managed by the entertainment and hospitality industry leader, MGM Springfield, and owned by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. MassMutual Center is Western Massachusetts' most diverse function space, with over 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a 40,000 sq. ft. flexible exhibit hall, five fully-functional meeting rooms, a 15,000 sq. ft. ballroom, and an 8,000-seat arena. The facility is the proud home to the AHL Springfield Thunderbirds and American International College D1 Men's Hockey team, in addition to hosting family shows, concerts, meetings, social and corporate functions, sporting events, and more.
About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level—men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors—both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 475 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game's elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 150 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com and follow @hoophallU
