2026 NCAA BRACKETOLOGY

 



EAST

GREENVILLE
1. Duke (27-2) ACC (15-1)
16. Long Island University (24-10) Northeast (15-3) 179.7

8. Utah St (25-6) MWC (15-5)
9. Ohio St (20-11) (12-8)


PORTLAND
4. Texas Tech (22-9) (12-6)
13. Hofstra (24-10) Coastal (12-6) 94.3 

5. Vanderbilt (24-7) (11-7)
12.  Northern Iowa (23-12) MVC (11-9) 81.3


ST LOUIS
6. Wisconsin (22-9) (14-6)
11.Texas (18-14) (9-9)

3. Iowa St (26-6, 12-6)
14. UC Irvine (22-10) Big West (15-5) 115.3


BUFFALO
7. Kentucky (20-12) (10-8)
10. NC St (20-11) (10-8)

2. Michigan St (25-6, 15-5)
15. Tennessee St (23-9) OVC (15-5) 158.3


MIDWEST

BUFFALO
1. Michigan (29-2) Big Ten (19-1)
16. PLAY IN: UMBC (20-8) America East-30 vs Howard (19-10) MEAC-31

8. St Mary’s (27-5) (16-2)
9. Clemson (23-9) (12-6)


SAN DIEGO
4. Kansas (22-9) (12-6)
13. Utah Valley (27-7) WAC (14-4) 84.7

5. Arkansas (23-8) (13-5)
12. McNeese (28-5) Southland (19-3) 60.7


PHILADELPHIA
6. UNC (24-7) (12-6)
11. Central Florida (21-10) (9-9)

3. Purdue (23-8) (13-7)
14. Wright St. (23-11) Horizon (15-5) 135.7


PHILADELPHIA
7. Georgia (22-9) (10-8)
10. St Louis (24-7, 15-3)

2. UConn (27-4) Big East (17-3)
15. Siena (23-11) MAAC (13-7) 178.7  


WEST

SAN DIEGO
1. Arizona (29-2) Big 12 (16-2)
16. Idaho (21-14) Big Sky (9-9) 171.0

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


PORTLAND
4. Gonzaga (30-3) WCC (16-2)
13. Sam Houston (22-10) C USA (13-7) 96.0

5. Louisville (23-9) (11-7)
12. Yale (23-5) Ivy League (11-3) 69.7


TAMPA
6. BYU (23-10) (9-9)
11. PLAY IN: VCU vs New Mexico

3. Alabama (23-8) (13-5)
14. Troy (22-11) Sun Belt (12-6) 138.3


ST. LOUIS
7. Villanova (24-7) (15-5)
10. Missouri (20-11) (10-8)

2. Illinois (24-7, 15-5)
15. Queens U of NC (21-13) A-Sun (13-5) 173.3


SOUTH

TAMPA
1. Florida (25-6) SEC (16-2)
16. PLAY IN: Lehigh (18-16) Patriot (11-7) 268.7 vs FAMU (16-15) SWAC (11-7)  

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


GREENVILLE
4. Virginia (27-4) (15-3)
13. High Point (30-4) Big South (15-1) 79.7

5. St John’s (25-6, 18-2) 
12. PLAY IN: Santa Clara vs SMU


OKLAHOMA CITY
6. Tennessee (21-10) (11-7)
11. South Florida (23-8) American (15-3) 55.3

3. Nebraska (26-6) (15-5)
14. N. Dakota St. (27-7) Summit (14-2) 107.0


OKLAHOMA CITY
7. Miami (FL) (24-7) (13-5)
10. Miami (OH) (31-0) MAC (18-0)

2. Houston (26-5) (14-4)
15. Furman (22-12) SoCon (10-8) 186.3


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. Miami of Ohio is undefeated and if they win the MAC tournament is looking at a 10 seed. If they lose, they will likely be a last four in play in team. 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 Michigan St vs #3 Iowa St 

Jeremy Fears is the type of scorer and creator that can take over any game and lead the Spartans to the Final Four. Iowa St is among the most experienced and talented teams in the country led by forwards Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic. These teams are very evenly rated as the Cyclones rate higher in Net and KenPom while the Spartans are rated higher in Wins Above Bubble. Iowa St could still potentially jump to the number two line if they win the Big 12 Tournament

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 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 Purdue

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. 

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. Michigan won at Purdue earlier in the year. This could be another great Elite 8 matchup if it came to fruition.

 

 

CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN:

SEC: 10
Big Ten: 9
Big 12: 8
ACC: 8
Big East: 3
WCC: 3
Mountain West: 2
Atlantic 10: 2
23 One Bid Leagues


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