2026 NCAA BRACKETOLOGY

 



EAST

GREENVILLE
1. Duke (32-2) ACC Champion (15-1)
16. Long Island University (24-10) Northeast (15-3) 179.7

8. Villanova (24-7) (15-5) 
9. Ohio St (21-12) (12-8)


PORTLAND
4. Alabama (23-9) (13-5) 
13. N. Dakota St. (27-7) Summit (14-2) 107.0 

5. Texas Tech (22-9) (12-6)
12. Northern Iowa (23-12) MVC (11-9) 81.3


ST LOUIS
6. Wisconsin (24-10) (14-6)
11. South Florida (24-8) American (15-3) 55.3

3. Iowa St (27-7, 12-6)
14. Kennesaw St (21-13) C-USA (10-0) 81.3


BUFFALO
7. Kentucky (21-12) (10-8)
10. NC St (20-12) (10-8)

2. Purdue (26-8) (13-7)
15. Tennessee St (23-9) OVC (15-5) 158.3


MIDWEST

BUFFALO
1. Michigan (29-2) Big Ten (19-1)
16. PLAY IN: UMBC (24-8) America East (14-2) 162.3 vs Howard (23-10) MEAC (11-3) 182.0 

8. St Mary’s (27-5) (16-2) 
9. Clemson (24-10) (12-6)


SAN DIEGO
4. Kansas (23-10) (12-6)
13. Hawaii (24-8) Big West (14-6) 101.0


5. Arkansas (24-9) (13-5)
12. McNeese (28-5) Southland (19-3) 60.7


PHILADELPHIA
6. UNC (24-8) (12-6)
11. Missouri (20-12) (10-8) 

3.  Michigan St (25-7, 15-5)
14. Wright St. (23-11) Horizon (15-5) 135.7


PHILADELPHIA
7. Georgia (22-10) (10-8)
10. St Louis (28-5, 15-3)

2. UConn (29-5) Big East (17-3)
15. Siena (23-11) MAAC (13-7) 178.7  


WEST

SAN DIEGO
1. Arizona (32-2) Big 12 Champion (16-2)
16. Idaho (21-14) Big Sky (9-9) 171.0

8. UCLA (22-10) (13-7)
9. Texas A&M (21-11) (11-7)


PORTLAND
4. Gonzaga (30-3) WCC (16-2)
13. California Baptist (25-8) WAC (13-5) 84.7

5. Louisville (23-10) (11-7)
12. Akron (29-5) MAC (17-1) 


TAMPA
6. BYU (23-11) (9-9) 
11. VCU (2-7) Atlantic 10 (15-3) 

 
3. Vanderbilt (26-7) (11-7) SEC TITLE GAME
14. Troy (22-11) Sun Belt (12-6) 138.3


ST. LOUIS
7. Miami (FL) (25-8) (13-5)
10. PLAY IN: Miami (OH) (31-1) (18-0) #37 Wins Above Bubble
                        vs. Texas (18-14) (9-9) #42 NET, #46 WAB

2. Illinois (24-8, 15-5)
15. Queens U of NC (21-13) A-Sun (13-5) 173.3


SOUTH

TAMPA
1. Florida (26-7) (16-2)
16. PLAY IN: Lehigh (18-16) Patriot (11-7) 268.7 vs Prairie View (18-17) SWAC (9-9)  

8. Iowa (21-12) (10-10)
9. TCU (22-11) (11-7)


GREENVILLE
4. Virginia (28-4) (15-3)
13. Hofstra (24-10) Coastal (12-6) 94.3 

5. St John’s (26-6) Big East Champ (18-2) 
12. High Point (30-4) Big South (15-1) 79.7


OKLAHOMA CITY
6. Tennessee (21-11) (11-7)
11. Central Florida (21-11) (9-9)

3. Nebraska (26-6) (15-5)
14. Penn (18-11) Ivy League (9-5) 141.0 


OKLAHOMA CITY
7.  Utah St (28-6) MWC Champ (15-5)
10. PLAY IN: Santa Clara (12-8) (15-3) #36 Wins Above Bubble
                     SMU (20-13) (8-10) #45 Wins Above Bubble

2. Houston (28-6) (14-4)
15. Furman (22-12) SoCon (10-8) 186.3


NOTE: Numbers next to record are the average of NET, Ken Pom and Wins Above Bubble


Best Potential Matchups with this projected bracket

Round of 64

The Battle of Miami

#7 Miami (FL) vs #10 Miami (OH)

Please let this happen. After losing in the MAC tournament, the Redhawks will likley have to go to nearby Dayton to play in the First Four. If they win I have them taking on the Hurricanes. Miami of Ohio is second in the country in scoring (90.9 ppg) while Miami is balanced ranking in the top 35 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.

#7 Georgia vs #10 St Louis

Take the over as this would pit two of the highest scoring teams in the country. Georgia (90.4 ppg) is peaking at the right time having won 5 of 6 games.  St Louis (87.8 ppg) may be vulnerable after going 3-3 in the regular season after starting the season 24-1. 

#5 Vanderbilt vs #12 Northern Iowa

This would be a battle of contrasting styles as UNI (61.3 points allowed) has the number one defense in the nation while Vandy (86.9 ppg) has a high-powered offense led by All SEC guard Tyler Tanner.

 Round of 32

#4 Kansas vs #5 Arkansas

Two teams with talent and Hall of Fame coaches in Bill Self and John Calipari. It also pits two of the best players in the country. Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. is the SEC player of the year and one of the most exciting players in the country. Kansas’ Darryn Peterson could be the number one pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. This would be an amazing game on the first weekend.

#3 Alabama vs #6 BYU

Speaking of superstars, a matchup here would pit Alabama’s star point guard Labaron Philon against BYU scorer AJ Dybansta. This would also be a rematch of last year’s Sweet 16 game that Alabama won 113-88.

#1 Duke vs #9 Ohio St 

Duke’s Cameron Boozer has been the best player in the country all season is the favorite to win the Wooden and Naismith Awards. Ohio St Senior Bruce Thornton became the schools all time leading scorer in their Senior night win against Indiana. The Buckeyes have experience and guard play that can give Duke fits now that the Blue Devils are without Caleb Foster.

Sweet 16

#1 Arizona vs #4 Gonzaga

Two traditional powers meet in the West Regionals. This could be coach Tommy Lloyd’s best team ever. He has yet to make it past the Sweet 16 in his five seasons at Arizona. The task will not be easy if they are in the same region as Gonzaga. The Zags have experience and size led by WCC player of the year Graham Ike.

#2 UConn vs #3 Michigan St


Michigan State's Jeremy Fears is the type of scorer and creator that can take over any game and lead the Spartans to the Final Four. UConn has struggled down the stretch but still has a coach than has won two National Titles in Danny Hurley.   

Elite 8

#1 Arizona vs #2 Illinois 

The 2005 Elite 8 game between Arizona and Illinois was one of the best games in NCAA Tournament history. Illinois legend Deron Williams led a 15-point comeback win in overtime. Could we get another classic in 2026? Illinois once again is led by a dynamic point guard in Freshman Keaton Wagler. He went from four-star recruit to NBA lottery pick in one season. 

Arizona is led by senior guard Jaden Bradley and also has the best Freshman duo in the nation in guard Brandon Burries and forward Koa Peat. This could be another instant classic. 


#1 Florida vs #2 Houston

Speaking of instant classics, we could have a rematch of last year’s title game. Florida is the hottest team in the country finishing the regular season on a 11-game win streak.

Houston is led by superstar Freshman Kingston Flemings and has a great guard trio with Flemings plus seniors Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan. Sharp and Uzan were also starters on last year’s team and want redemption.

Florida doesn’t have one superstar but they have the most complete and balanced team in the country. Thomas Haugh is All SEC and a potential lottery pick, Rueben Chinyelu is the SEC Defensive player of the year, Alex Condon is a versatile big that gives Florida arguable the best and most physical front court in the county. The backcourt is led by transfers Xavian Lee and Boogie Fland along with SEC 6th Man of the year Urban Klavžar.

#1 Michigan vs #3 Michigan St

Michigan is a favorite to win the entire tournament and is led by Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg. He is a versatile combo forward that can score, rebound, create and play defense. Michigan also has Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr rounding out a great frontcourt. The backcourt is led by point guard Elliott Cadeau and sharpshooter Trey McKenney. 



#1 Duke vs #2 Purdue

Purdue has the best true point guard in the nation in Braden Smith. Purdue still has National Title hopes even after an inconsistent regular season. They have the ingredients that win in March with experience and guard play. Duke is as good as any team in the country, but they do lack a true point guard. 

 

 

CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN:

SEC: 10
Big Ten: 9
Big 12: 8
ACC: 8
Big East: 3
WCC: 3
Atlantic 10: 2
MAC: 2

23 One Bid Leagues


BUBBLE TABLE 

 

 

Team

Net

KP

WAB

AVG

Q1

Q 2

Q 3/4

Sos

Nc Sos

LAST 4 IN

SMU (20-13)

37

42

45

41.3

4-9

4-2

12-0

61

186

Miami (OH) (31-1)

64

93

37

64.7

0-0

1-0

29-0

342

364

Santa Clara (26-8)

40

35

36

37.0

2-6

7-1

15-1

83

103

Texas (18-14)

42

37

46

41.7

6-9

1-3

11-1

14

69

FIRST FOUR OUT

New Mexico (23-10)

45

49

52

48.7

2-6

6-1

15-2

85

141

San Diego St. (22-11)

46

46

55

49.0

2-7

6-2

12-1

80

43

Auburn (17-16)

38

38

45

40.3

4-13

3-2

10-1

3

15

Oklahoma (19-14)

47

41

57

48.3

4-9

6-5

8-0

27

126

NEXT FOUR OUT

Indiana (18-14)

41

45

47

44.3

3-10

4-4

11-0

29

221

Cincinnati (18-15)

49

44

62

51.7

3-11

4-2

11-1

32

175

Stanford (20-12)

61

58

49

56.0

5-6

4-2

11-4

73

280

West Viginia (18-14)

59

60

68

62.3

5-8

3-5

10-1

65

275

WAY OUT

Seton Hall (21-12)

53

50

58

53.7

1-5

7-4

13-2

78

299

FSU (18-15)

62

57

68

62.3

3-9

6-5

15-1

51

97

VA Tech (19-13)

55

56

46

52.3

2-9

6-1

10-1

57

197

California (21-11)

68

71

49

62.7

4-6

2-4

15-1

75

328

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