Bracketology Q&A: Ask our expert your men’s March Madness questions

February 25, 2026

March Madness is Approaching!

Hey everyone, can you believe March is just around the corner? I’m Chris Dobbertean, and I’ve been following bracketology since 2006 and diving deep into men’s college basketball since 2009. It feels like I’ve been part of this journey for two decades!

With fewer than three weeks remaining until Selection Sunday, the first conference tournament game of the season kicks off soon—it’s happening on Monday and Tuesday nights. The team at SB Nation thought it would be a great time for me to tackle some bracket and bubble-related questions. This is an Ask Me Anything (AMA), so feel free to dive in!

Curious about your favorite team’s chances? Ask away.
Wondering which conference tournaments are must-see?
Interested in how the selection and seeding process works, especially after that informative bracket preview this past Saturday?
Which multi-bid conference do you think will shine as the tournament unfolds?

For context, here’s my most recent projection for the bracket:

(1) East (Washington DC, Friday/Sunday)

(1) Duke (ACC)
(16) Southeast Missouri (OVC)/Bethune-Cookman (SWAC)

▲(5) St. John’s (Big East)
(12) High Point (Big South)

(4) Vanderbilt
(13) North Dakota (Mountain Summit)

▲(6) St. Louis (A10)
(11) Texas

(3) Texas Tech University
(14) ETSU (SoCon)

(7) Villanova
(10) UCLA

(2) Purdue
(15) Utah Institute of Technology (WAC)

(4) South (Houston, Thursday/Saturday)

▲(1) UConn
(16) UMBC (AE)/Howard (MEAC)

(8) Miami (Florida)
(9) Georgia

(5) Alabama
(12) South Florida (AC)

▼(4) Kansas
(13) Liberty (CUSA)

Oklahoma City (Thursday/Saturday)

▼(6) Louisville
(11) Santa Clara, Missouri

(3) Nebraska
(14) Navy (Patriot)

Oklahoma City (Thursday/Saturday)

▼(7) Utah (MW)
(10) Indiana

(2) Houston
(15) Portland State (Big Sky)

(2) Midwest (Chicago, Friday/Sunday)

(1) Michigan State (Big 10)
(16) Ryu (NEC)

▲(8) St. Mary’s
▼(9) Clemson

(5) Arkansas
(12) Belmont (MVC)

(4) Virginia
(13) Stephen F. Austin (Southland)

▲(6) North Carolina
(11) TCU/California

(3) Florida
(14) Austin Peay (OVC)

▲(7) Wisconsin
(10) Texas A&M

(2) Iowa
(15) Wright State (Horizon)

(3) West (San Jose, Thursday/Saturday)

(1) Arizona (Big 12)
(16) App State (Sunbelt)

(5) Tennessee
(12) Ale (Ivy)

(4) Michigan State
(13) UNCW (CAA)

(6) BYU
(11) Miami (Ohio) (MAC)

(3) Gonzaga (WCC)
(14) University of California, Irvine (Big West)

▼(7) NC State
(10) Auburn

(2) Illinois
(15) Merrimack (MAAC)

Last 4 byes: Indiana, Auburn, UCLA, Texas
Last 4 IN: Santa Clara, Missouri, TCU, California
First 4 out: New Mexico State, USC, Virginia Tech, Ohio State
Next 4 out: Cincinnati, West Virginia, San Diego State, VCU
On deck: Seton Hall, Akron, Boise State, Nevada

Arrival (4): App State (Sun Belt), California, TCU, Utah Technical (WAC)

Departure: Cal Baptist (WAC), Ohio State, Troy (Sun Belt), USC