So, we finally have a bracket. Now we’ve got three days to dissect it—let’s dive right in.
Here are my ten quick thoughts on this year’s 68 teams.
1. It feels like…no one is too upset.?
Aside from the fans of a handful of teams who were just eliminated—who will probably keep ranting for days—nothing particularly shocking happened in the bracket reveal.
The committee seemed to have an easier time this year, as many bubble teams didn’t make a case for themselves during conference tournament week. If Oklahoma, Auburn, and Indiana had managed a couple more wins, the talks around their exclusion would be much louder right now.
Plus, no teams were seeded more than two or three lines off from what most bracket analysts had predicted.
Maybe it’s time we acknowledge that the committee did a solid job this time around?
2. The eastern region is quite appealing.
There’s been a curious pattern lately where the overall No. 1 seed often finds itself in the hardest region. This might explain why only one No. 1 seed has taken the title since 2013.
While there’s discussion about whether Duke’s East region is actually the toughest, it’s certainly the most captivating.
Along with Duke, iconic programs like UConn, Kansas State, and Louisville are all stacked in this region. It’s quite a lineup.
The second round could see a classic matchup: Rick Pitino against Bill Self and Jon Scheyer taking on Mick Cronin. That sounds intense.
3. Kudos to the committee for Miami.
No team has generated more buzz than the 31-1 University of Miami…
That’s because Miami’s NCAA Tournament resume is quite unique.
Their impressive record is somewhat deceptive, though; they faced the 269th toughest schedule. Not entirely their fault, but it raises eyebrows.
The consensus is that if Miami had played in a stronger conference or had a more challenging non-conference schedule, their chances would look different. Rankings seem to indicate they might not deserve a spot.
However, their average resume ranking at least places them reasonably, and they hold a decent position in several predictive metrics. It’s possible their performance was enough to earn them a tournament invitation.
It felt somewhat unfair to leave a 31-1 team out, yet giving them a high seed without a Quad-I win seems equally tricky. This compromise might just be the right call.
Plus, the team sparks more interest, and getting to play in their home state adds another layer.
4. The SEC was close to sending 12 teams.
Following last year’s record of 14 teams in the tournament, the SEC again led with 10 teams earning berths in 2026. It could have been even more.
Oklahoma and Auburn were the first two teams to be cut, and it definitely seems they might have had a shot at qualifying with one more win.
While the SEC didn’t show the same top-tier dominance as last year, it remains the deepest conference this season.
5. Vanderbilt seems under-seeded.
Although the SEC got a lot of respect this year, some teams felt slighted by the committee.
Many bracket analysts predicted Vanderbilt would come in as a No. 4 seed, and some even expected them to rise to No. 3 with a strong finish against Arkansas. Instead, they find themselves set up for a tough matchup as a No. 5 seed against a No. 12, McNeese State, which is considered a popular upset pick.
It’s worth noting that Utah State secured a No. 9 seed and received recognition, while North Carolina State slipped towards the back of the pack.
6. There’s a real chance for Big Ten or West Coast champions.
The last Big Ten team to win was Michigan State in 2000, and Arizona State in 1997 marks the last West Coast victory, indicating a long wait for both conferences.
It seems like one of these teams may finally break the drought.
Arizona and Gonzaga are ranked No. 1 and No. 3 respectively, while four Big Ten teams are also up there: Michigan at No. 1, Purdue at No. 2, and Michigan State and Illinois as No. 3 seeds.
I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these six teams makes history soon.
7. Expect some high-scoring first-round games.
This season has been the highest-scoring in college basketball, so the tournament should reflect that trend.
Games like Alabama vs. Hofstra and Miami vs. SMU promise to be action-packed, with teams known for pushing the pace.
Thursday and Friday are likely to see lots of fireworks.
8. The chalk trend might continue this year.
Last year, all four No. 1 seeds won their regions, marking only the second time in history this happened, the first being 2008.
If things go the same way, we could have another year of predictable outcomes.
That said, let’s keep in mind that there’s never been back-to-back tournaments where over three No. 1 seeds make it to the Final Four. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.
9. The committee stressed the importance of conference tournaments.
There’s been a growing idea that seeding is losing significance in conference tournaments, especially with many championships happening on Sundays.
But the committee seems to be pushing back against that view, placing Big Ten champion Purdue on the second line and SEC champion Arkansas on the fourth, both higher than many anticipated.
10. Look for that 12/5 upset trend to continue.
Historically, at least one No. 12 seed has gotten past the first round in 34 of the past 40 years. Over the last 17 years, they hold an impressive record against No. 5 seeds.
This year’s 12 seeds—Akron, McNeese State, Northern Iowa, and High Point—all rank in the top 100, indicating we might see some surprises this time.
At least one of these teams will likely advance to the next round.
