March Madness is approaching, and the projected 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament bracket is stacked with blue bloods, rising contenders, and dangerous bubble teams. Four programs, Duke, UConn, Michigan, and Arizona, sit on the No. 1 seed line, but history tells us the path to a national title is never easy.
Here’s a visual region-by-region breakdown and outlook at the projected field.
EAST REGION – Duke Controls the East
The Duke Blue Devils headline the East as the No. 1 overall seed, with elite depth and championship expectations.
Key Matchups
1 Duke vs 16 App State
8 Iowa vs 9 Georgia
→ Classic toss-up game
5 St. John’s vs 12 Liberty
→ Liberty is a dangerous mid-major
4 Alabama vs 13 North Dakota State
6 Louisville vs 11 Missouri / Santa Clara
3 Kansas vs 14 Austin Peay
7 Utah State vs 10 UCF
2 Purdue vs 15 Utah Tech
East Favorite: Duke
Sleeper: Kansas
Upset Alert: Liberty over St. John’s
SOUTH REGION – UConn and Houston on Collision Course
The defending powerhouse UConn Huskies lead the South, but Houston could be their biggest threat.
Key Matchups
1 UConn vs 16 UMBC / Howard
8 Kentucky vs 9 Clemson
5 Arkansas vs 12 Yale
4 Texas Tech vs 13 UNC Wilmington
6 Saint Louis vs 11 Miami (OH)
3 Nebraska vs 14 Navy
7 Wisconsin vs 10 Texas
2 Houston vs 15 Portland State
South Favorite: UConn
Final Four Threat: Houston
Sleeper: Texas
MIDWEST REGION – Michigan Faces Dangerous Field
The Michigan Wolverines hold the top spot, but Iowa State and North Carolina could make deep runs.
Key Matchups
1 Michigan vs 16 SEMO / Bethune-Cookman
8 SMU vs 9 Texas A&M
5 Vanderbilt vs 12 Belmont
4 Virginia vs 13 Stephen F Austin
6 North Carolina vs 11 TCU / New Mexico
3 Florida vs 14 ETSU
7 Villanova vs 10 UCLA
2 Iowa State vs 15 Wright State
Midwest Favorite: Michigan
Sleeper: North Carolina
Dangerous Team: Iowa State
WEST REGION – Arizona Headlines Loaded West
The Arizona Wildcats lead the West, but this may be the toughest region overall.
Key Matchups
1 Arizona vs 16 Long Island
8 Miami vs 9 Saint Mary’s
5 Tennessee vs 12 South Florida
4 Michigan State vs 13 High Point
6 BYU vs 11 Indiana
3 Gonzaga vs 14 UC Irvine
7 NC State vs 10 Auburn
2 Illinois vs 15 Merrimack
West Favorite: Arizona
Sleeper: Indiana
Upset Watch: Auburn over NC State
Bubble Watch: Teams Fighting for Survival
Last Four Byes (Barely Safe)
- Texas
- UCLA
- Auburn
- Indiana
Last Four In (Must Win First Four)
- Missouri
- Santa Clara
- TCU
- New Mexico
First Four Out (Just Missed)
- Ohio State
- USC
- California
- San Diego State
Conference Power Rankings
Most Teams in Field
- SEC – 11 teams
- Big Ten – 9 teams
- ACC – 8 teams
- Big 12 – 8 teams
The SEC is dominating the bracket with depth and elite contenders.
Final Four Prediction
Based on the bracket projection:
- Duke
- UConn
- Michigan
- Arizona
National Championship Prediction
Duke vs UConn
Winner: Duke
The Blue Devils have the depth, talent, and momentum to cut down the nets.
