The roster for the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament was revealed on Sunday, featuring 68 teams.
The Duke Blue Devils, with Cameron Boozer leading the charge, snagged the No. 1 overall seed and are the top choice in the East. Boozer is putting up impressive numbers, averaging 22.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, and there’s talk he might be the first pick in the next NBA Draft if he decides to declare. Duke is positioned in the upper left quadrant of the bracket.
The Florida Gators, the reigning champions, come into the tournament as the top seed in the South. Even though they didn’t secure the SEC title this year, they have a solid record of 26-7, with Thomas Ho scoring an average of 17.1 points per game.
Over in the West Region, the Arizona Wildcats clinched the No. 1 seed after winning the Big 12 Championship with a remarkable 32-2 record. Brayden Burries is leading the team with an average of 15.9 points this season. Arizona State is situated in the upper right quadrant of the bracket.
Meanwhile, the Michigan Wolverines, despite not winning the Big Ten Championship, earned the top seed in the Midwest Region. They hold a strong record of 31-3 and are led by Jaksel Lendeborg, who averages 14.4 points and 1.2 steals per game.
In terms of matchups, Texas State will go up against North Carolina State for the No. 11 seed in the West Region, while Miami (Ohio) and SMU will vie for the No. 11 seed in the Midwest Region.
For the No. 16 seed in the Midwest Region, UMBC will face Howard, and Prairie View A&M will compete against Lehigh for the No. 16 seed in the South.
The first four games are set for Tuesday and Wednesday nights, kicking off the competition. The field of 64 will begin their clashes on Thursday and continue on Friday. The Final Four matchups are scheduled for April 4th, culminating in the championship game on April 6th.
Eastern Region
1. Duke (32-2) vs. 16. Siena (23-11)
8. Ohio State (21-12) vs. TCU (22-11)
5. St. John’s (28-6) vs. 12. Northern Iowa (23-12)
4. Kansas (23-10) vs. 13. California Baptist (25-8)
6. Louisville (23-10) vs. 11. South Florida (25-8)
3. Michigan State (25-7) vs. North Dakota State (27-7)
7. UCLA (23-11) vs. 10. UCF Knights (21-11)
2. UW (29-5) vs. 15. Furman (22-12)
Southern Region
1. Florida (26-7) vs. 16. Prairie View A&M/Lehigh
8. Clemson (24-10) vs. 9. Iowa (21-12)
5. Vanderbilt (26-8) vs. 12. McNeese State (28-5)
4. Nebraska (26-6) vs. 13. Troy (22-11)
6. North Carolina (24-8) vs. 11. VCU (27-7)
3. Illinois (24-8) vs. 14. Penn (18-11)
7. St. Mary’s (27-5) vs. 10. Texas A&M (21-11)
2. Houston (28-6) vs. 15. Idaho (21-14)
Western Region
1. Arizona (32-2) vs. 16. Long Island (24-10)
8. Villanova (24-8) vs. 9. Utah State (28-6)
5. Wisconsin (24-10) vs. 12. High Point (30-4)
4. Arkansas (26-8) vs. 13. Hawaii (24-8)
6. BYU (23-11) vs. 11. Texas/NC State
3. Gonzaga (30-3) vs. 14. Kennesaw State (21-13)
7. Miami, Florida (25-8) vs. 10. Missouri (20-12)
2. Purdue (27-8) vs. 15. Queens (21-13)
Midwest Region
1. Michigan (31-3) vs. 16. UMBC/Howard
8. Georgia (22-10) vs. 9. St. Louis (28-5)
5. Texas Tech (22-10) vs. 12. Akron (29-5)
4. Alabama (23-9) vs. 13. Hofstra (24-10)
6. Tennessee (22-11) vs. 11. Miami-Ohio/SMU
3. Virginia (29-5) vs. 14. Wright State (23-11)
7. Kentucky (21-13) vs. 10. Santa Clara (26-8)
2. Iowa State (27-7) vs. 15. Tennessee State (23-9)
The winner from the West Division will face the winner from the Midwest Division in the Final Four.
