Where is Prairie View A&M? What to know about NCAA tournament team

Story by

Barry Werner, List Wire

Wed, Mar 18, 2026 ·

2 min read

Prairie View A&M defeated Lehigh in a First Four game of the Men's NCAA Tournament on March 18. That set up a matchup again No. 1 seed Florida on Friday night.

The Panthers were one of the surprise teams to make it into the field. They were 11-17 at one point but finished with seven straight wins, capturing the SWAC tournament to earn their space in the Big Dance. An interesting journey for sure of a team that was 9-9 in conference during the regular season and finished eighth in SWAC standings. Time to go to school on Prairie View A&M.

Where is Prairie View A&M located?

A view of the downtown Houston skyline is seen on September 8, 2025.

The HBCU school is located about 50 miles outside of Houston, Texas.

Why is Prairie View A&M called 'The Hill'?

Nov 12, 2025; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Prairie View A&M Panthers forward Cory Wells (13) drives to the basket around Oklahoma State Cowboys forward Robert Jennings (25) during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

While most of the Houston metro area is relatively flat, the main campus rests on a hill, making it a unique setting.

How many students attend Prairie View A&M?

A Prairie View A&M Panthers fan celebrates during the first half against the Jackson State Tigers.

Prairie View A&M has more than 7,600 undergrads and almost 900 graduate students. The makeup of the school is 2-to-1 female students. A huge majority (88%) come from the state of Texas.

What are Prairie View A&M's colors?

Jalen Morton #12 of the Prairie View A&M Panthers looks for a receiver against the Rice Owls at Rice Stadium.

Purple and gold.

What is the Prairie View A&M mascot?

Dec 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Prairie View A&M Panthers mascot in the stands against the South Carolina State Bulldogs in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The mascot is a panther. Sasha reps the Ladys Panthers and Pete reps the men's team.

Prairie View A&M boasts famous band

The Prairie View A&M Marching Band plays before the Houston Rockets play the Sacramento Kings at Toyota Center.

There are 300 active members of the band. At one time or another, they have been a part of a presidential inauguration, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and the Super Bowl XLV halftime show. There is a danceline that goes along with the band and a color guard.

Famous Prairie View A&M alums

Atlanta Hawks center Zelmo Beaty (31) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers center Wilt Chamberlain (13) at The Forum.

Zelmo Beaty is a Pro and College Basketball Hall of Famer from the Class of 1962. Five-time MLB All-Star Cecil Cooper attended PV A&M. Pro Football Hall of Famer Ken Houston was in the Class of 1966. Kansas City Chiefs great WR Otis Taylor went to school there.

Prairie View A&M football team's infamous record

Jyzaiah Rockwell #11 of the Prairie View A&M Panthers catches a pass against Khamauri Rogers #1 of the Jackson State Tigers.

The Panthers suffered through an 80-game losing streak from the end of the 1989 season to 1998 when it defeated Langston, 14-12, in September.

This article originally appeared on The List Wire: March Madness look at No. 16 Prairie View A&M, from mascot to location