Claud and Clear Brackets

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA March Madness tournament bracket predictions best teams"
}

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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA basketball AP Top 25 rankings March 2026"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
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{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/march-madness-2026-bracket-ncaa-tournament-picks-predictions-by-seasoned-college-basketball-model/",
      "title": "March Madness 2026 bracket: NCAA Tournament picks, predictions ...",
      "snippet": "Duke in the East, Arizona in the West, defending national champion Florida in the South and Michigan in the Midwest are the March Madness 2026 ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/article/2026-ncaa-tournament-bracket-picks-best-cinderella-teams-and-upset-sleepers-for-march-madness-160049659.html",
      "title": "2026 NCAA Tournament bracket picks: Best Cinderella teams and ...",
      "snippet": "2026 NCAA Tournament bracket picks: Best Cinderella teams and upset sleepers for March Madness. Scott PianowskiFantasy analyst. Tue, March 17 ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAZJ_li2jzg",
      "title": "Andy Katz breaks down his 2026 March Madness bracket - YouTube",
      "snippet": "Andy Katz runs through each region in his official men's 2026 March Madness bracket predictions, joined by Wayne Staats."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7123628/2026/03/17/march-madness-expert-bracket-picks-duke-champion/",
      "title": "Expert picks for the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket: Why Brendan ...",
      "snippet": "The Athletic has live coverage of the First Four from 2026 Men's March Madness. Let's try this again. Last postseason, I picked Duke — the ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.ncaa.com/video/basketball-men/2026-03-17/andy-katz-breaks-down-his-2026-march-madness-bracket",
      "title": "Andy Katz breaks down his 2026 March Madness bracket - NCAA.com",
      "snippet": "Andy Katz runs through each region in his official men's 2026 March Madness bracket predictions, joined by Wayne Staats."
    }
  ]
}

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{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2026/03/15/college-rankings-basketball-top-25-ap-coaches-poll-march-15/89169875007/",
      "title": "Men's college basketball rankings: Updated Coaches Poll, AP Top 25",
      "snippet": "With that, the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament is mere hours away from ... Here's a look at the latest Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 for March 15: ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/associated-press",
      "title": "NCAA college basketball rankings, polls from the AP and Coaches",
      "snippet": "Get NCAA college basketball rankings from the NET Rankings, Associated Press and USA Today Coaches poll."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings",
      "title": "2025-26 Men's College Basketball Rankings - ESPN",
      "snippet": "Find the 2025-26 NCAAM rankings on ESPN, including the Coaches and AP poll for the top 25 NCAAM teams."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/rankings/ap/",
      "title": "College Basketball Rankings 2025-26 - AP Top 25 - CBS Sports",
      "snippet": "AP Top 25 Updated Mar 16, 2026 ; 1. team logo · Duke. (50) 32-2, — ; 2. team logo · Arizona. (7) 32-2, — ; 3. team logo · Michigan. 31-3, — ; 4. team logo · Florida."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25406953-ap-college-basketball-poll-2026-final-rankings-after-march-madness-bracket-reveal",
      "title": "AP College Basketball Poll 2026 Final Rankings After March ...",
      "snippet": "1. Duke (32-2) · 2. Arizona (32-2) · 3. Michigan (31-3) · 4. Florida (26-7) · 5. Houston (28-6) · 6. Iowa State (27-7) · 7. UConn (29-5) · 8. Purdue ( ..."
    }
  ]
}

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{
  "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/march-madness-2026-bracket-ncaa-tournament-picks-predictions-by-seasoned-college-basketball-model/"
}

{
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{
  "url": "https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25406953-ap-college-basketball-poll-2026-final-rankings-after-march-madness-bracket-reveal"
}

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{
  "content": "site: media \\| arena: general \\| pageType: stories \\|\nsection: \\| slug: march-madness-2026-bracket-ncaa-tournament-picks-predictions-from-top-rated-college-basketball-model \\| sport: other \\| route: article\\_single.us \\|\n6-keys: media/spln/other/reg/free/stories\n\n[Skip to Main Content](https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/march-madness-2026-bracket-ncaa-tournament-picks-predictions-from-top-rated-college-basketball-model/#page-content)\n\nClose\n\nSign in with your TV provider\n\nIf not listed, please contact your TV provider.\n\n![[object Object] Logo](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2020/04/22/e9ceb731-8b3f-4c60-98fe-090ab66a2997/screen-shot-2020-04-22-at-11-04-56-am.png)\n\nAll ProvidersXfinity\n\n# March Madness 2026 bracket: NCAA Tournament picks, predictions from top-rated college basketball model\n\n## SportsLine's model has nailed 25 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds and revealed its optimal NCAA Tournament bracket 2026\n\n[![            Daniel Lewis     ](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2025/03/11/865a7838-d6f9-47a7-bc6b-6403ae7bb65d/thumbnail/80x80/9c528fc6380290a60ee4ffe7cec1c2ae/dl-500.png)](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/daniel-lewis/)\n\nBy\n[Daniel Lewis](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/daniel-lewis/)\n\n1 hr ago\n•\n3 min read\n\n\n![john-calipari-arkansas-imagn.jpg](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2025/04/12/78b6dac9-bda9-48d4-84db-f1ee8804037c/thumbnail/770x433/1c3e5030e61fe34f06721a153f5ec983/john-calipari-arkansas-imagn.jpg)Imagn Images\n\nOf the 68 teams in the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket, 35 come from the SEC (10), Big Ten (9), Big 12 (8) or ACC (8). However, no conference has produced more national championships in the last 15 years than the Big East (7). The Big East only has three representatives in the 2026 March Madness bracket, with UConn earning a No. 2 seed and St. John's earning a No. 5 seed in the East Region. Villanova is a No. 8 seed in the West.\n\nHowever, all three programs have managed a national championship in the last decade or have a national title-winning head coach. Which of the Big East teams pose the biggest threat this season and how deep should you be advancing each in your March Madness picks 2026? Before filling out your NCAA Tournament bracket 2026, be sure to [see the 2026 March Madness bracket picks from the proven computer model at SportsLine](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/2026-ncaa-tournament-optimal-bracket-simulation-model-on-epic-run-reveals-picks-predictions/#ttag=03152026_agg_cbssports_picks_basketball_ncaa_model_optimalbracketcbb).\n\nTheir proven projection model has simulated every game in the tournament 10,000 times. It has absolutely crushed its March Madness picks recently, beating over 91% of all CBS Sports brackets in four of the past seven tournaments. It was all over UConn's championship run two years ago and nailed 12 teams in the Sweet 16 last year. It also correctly predicted all four Final Four teams in 2025.\n\nIt knows how to spot an upset as well. The same model has produced brackets that have nailed 25 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds since its inception in 2016.\n\nThere's no reason to rely on luck when there's proven technology to help you dominate your 2026 March Madness picks. Now, with the 2026 NCAA bracket revealed, the model is simulating the matchups and its results are in. [You can only see it over at SportsLine](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/2026-ncaa-tournament-optimal-bracket-simulation-model-on-epic-run-reveals-picks-predictions/#ttag=03152026_agg_cbssports_picks_basketball_ncaa_model_optimalbracketcbb).\n\n### Top 2026 March Madness bracket picks (preview two matchups)\n\nOne of the Midwest Region picks from the model: No. 9 Saint Louis defeats No. 8 Georgia in the first round. As you might expect, the 8 vs. 9 matchup has historically been the biggest coin flip in NCAA Tournament history, with the No. 9 seeds actually holding a slight edge (83-77) since the field expanded in 1985. Last season, the 8 vs. 9 games went right down t"
}

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{
  "content": "![Video thumbnail](https://media.sportsplatform.io/bleacher-report/pt/images/2026-03/20260318040238647-null.png)\n\n00:40\n\nFeatured Video[TEXAS FIRST FOUR GAME-WINNER🤘](https://bleacherreport.com/videos/13044666-ca20-408f-9ce7-632fa72efbb1-texas-first-four-game-winner)\n\n![](https://gsp-image-cdn.wmsports.io/cms/prod/bleacher-report/2026-03/hoops_appoll_0.jpg)\n\n![tag-logo](https://gsp-image-cdn.wmsports.io/cms/prod/bleacher-report/2025-02/ncaam.png)\n\n# AP College Basketball Poll 2026 Final Rankings After March Madness Bracket Reveal\n\nJoseph ZuckerMar 16, 2026\n\nAfter the NCAA tournament's selection committee had their say, the Associated Press [Top 25 poll](https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll) voters weighed in with the 2025-26 regular season in the books.\n\nDuke stayed on top for the fourth straight week, beating Virginia 74-70 in the ACC tourney final on Saturday. Arizona continues to be right at the Blue Devils' heels after a 79-74 victory over Houston secured a Big 12 title.\n\nFor Florida, a 91-74 loss to Vanderbilt didn't prove too costly. While the Gators' 12-game winning streak came to an end, they remained fourth in the AP poll and earned a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance.\n\n## TOP NEWS\n\n[![COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 15 SEC Tournament - Vanderbilt vs Arkansas](https://gsp-image-cdn.wmsports.io/cms/prod/bleacher-report/getty_images/2026-03/2266336019_large_cropped.jpg)\\\\\n\\\\\n**Final Four Court Design 🎨** \\\\\n\\\\\nBleacher Report2d](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25407484-2026-ncaa-tournament-final-four-courts-unveiled-photos-ahead-mens-womens-march-madness) [![](https://gsp-image-cdn.wmsports.io/cms/prod/bleacher-report/2026-03/image-(3).jpeg)\\\\\n\\\\\n**Joe Lunardi Predicts March Madness Final Four 👀** \\\\\n\\\\\nBleacher Report2d](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25407194-joe-lunardi-predicts-march-madness-final-after-bracket-reveal-selection-sunday-2026) [![](https://gsp-image-cdn.wmsports.io/cms/prod/bleacher-report/2026-03/br_mm_empty-bracket_16x9_mff_0.jpg)\\\\\n\\\\\n**Full Men's Bracket 🔍** \\\\\n\\\\\nBleacher Report3d](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25405155-march-madness-2026-mens-68-team-ncaa-tournament-field-revealed-selection-sunday)\n\nThe same goes for Michigan, which suffered only its third defeat on the year when it came up short, 80-72, to Purdue in the Big Ten final.\n\nThe Boilermakers had the biggest jump of anybody, moving 10 spots up in the poll to No. 8, after lifting its third conference tournament title.\n\n**AP Top 25 Week 19**\n\n1\\. Duke (32-2)\n\n2\\. Arizona (32-2)\n\n3\\. Michigan (31-3)\n\n4\\. Florida (26-7)\n\n5\\. Houston (28-6)\n\n6\\. Iowa State (27-7)\n\n7\\. UConn (29-5)\n\n8\\. Purdue (27-8)\n\n9\\. Virginia (29-5)\n\n10\\. St. John's (28-6)\n\n11\\. Michigan State (25-7)\n\n12\\. Gonzaga (30-3)\n\n13\\. Illinois (24-8)\n\n14\\. Arkansas (26-8)\n\n15\\. Nebraska (26-6)\n\n16\\. Vanderbilt (26-8)\n\n17\\. Kansas (23-10)\n\n18\\. Alabama (23-9)\n\n19\\. Wisconsin (24-10)\n\n20\\. Texas Tech (22-10)\n\n21\\. North Carolina (24-8)\n\n22\\. Saint Mary's (27-5)\n\nT23. Louisville (23-10)\n\nT23. Tennessee (22-11)\n\n25\\. Miami (25-8)\n\nThe Commodores got a nice boost from championship week, moving up from 22nd to 16th in the AP poll. They also received a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament their best position since 2011-12.\n\nTyler Tanner and Jalen Washington combined for 37 points in the blowout over Florida. As a team, Vandy shot 54.5 percent from the field and went 10-of-21 from beyond the arc.\n\n![](https://editorsprodeus2-feeds.prod-cdn.clipro.tv/editor/08f1a40b-954c-42a5-a741-6fbfac1dd868_0.jpg)\n\n🚨 VANDY KNOCKS OFF FLORIDA\n\n01:27\n\nThe Commodores' luck ran out in Sunday's final against Arkansas.\n\nVirginia and Wisconsin each solidified its position in the AP poll and NCAA tournament field despite failing to win its conference. The Cavaliers handled their business against North Carolina State and Miami before pushing Duke hard in the final. The Badgers upset Illinois 91-88 in overtime and nearly pushed Michigan to OT.\n\nYaxel Lendeborg won it right at the buzzer "
}

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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament East region Duke UConn Michigan State predictions analysis"
}

{
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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament West region Arizona Purdue Gonzaga predictions"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
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{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7123628/2026/03/17/march-madness-expert-bracket-picks-duke-champion/",
      "title": "Expert picks for the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket: Why Brendan ...",
      "snippet": "Expert picks for the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket: Why Brendan Marks has Duke winning it all ; 1 Duke. 5 ; 3 Michigan State. 2 ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-march-madness-picks-predictions-first-round-games-bracket/",
      "title": "2026 March Madness picks: Predictions for every first-round game in ...",
      "snippet": "Expert NCAA Tournament picks for every 2026 first-round game, with matchup analysis, player insights and predictions for March Madness."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48219737/2026-men-ncaa-tournament-jay-bilas-predictions-bracket",
      "title": "Jay Bilas predicts every game of the 2026 NCAA tournament - ESPN",
      "snippet": "John's, take Duke in this one. Winner: Duke. No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Michigan State. Both teams are experienced and worthy of the Elite Eight ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.si.com/betting/betting-the-east-region-in-2026-ncaa-tournament-predictions-odds-upsets-for-march-madness",
      "title": "Betting the East Region in 2026 NCAA Tournament - Sports Illustrated",
      "snippet": "Duke is favored to win this region, but there are cases to be made for UConn, Michigan State, St. John's and Kansas. Here's a look at all of the ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DX5kJ2TCzQ",
      "title": "March Madness East Region Bracket Preview & Picks - YouTube",
      "snippet": "... predictions for the East Region in the 2026 NCAA Tournament ... Duke #UConn #MichiganState #StJohns March Madness® brackets are back!"
    }
  ]
}

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{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/breaking-news/article/march-madness-bracket-west-region-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144511208.html",
      "title": "March Madness bracket: West region predictions, Cinderella, expert ...",
      "snippet": "Arizona is -105 to make the Final Four and -250 to make it to the Elite Eight, while Purdue is +300 to win the region and Gonzaga is +550."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-west-region-bracket-preview/",
      "title": "2026 NCAA Tournament West Region bracket preview - CBS Sports",
      "snippet": "(1) Arizona: Arizona should be the consensus favorite to come out of this region, but I've got somebody else making the Final Four (and I'll ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsz9er6oAno",
      "title": "March Madness West Region Bracket Preview & Picks - YouTube",
      "snippet": "March Madness West Region Bracket Preview & Picks: Arizona, Purdue, BYU | 2026 NCAA Tournament · Comments."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.si.com/betting/betting-the-west-region-in-2026-ncaa-tournament-predictions-odds-upsets-for-march-madness",
      "title": "Betting the West Region in 2026 NCAA Tournament - Sports Illustrated",
      "snippet": "Each West Region Team's Odds to Win March Madness · Arizona: +330 · Purdue: +2700 · Gonzaga: +8000 · Arkansas: +6000 · Wisconsin: +12500 · BYU: +50000 ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.covers.com/ncaab/march-madness/west-region-odds-picks-predictions",
      "title": "2026 NCAA Tournament West Region Odds, Picks and Predictions",
      "snippet": "Odds to win the West Region ; Purdue (2) Purdue Boilermakers, +400, Smith's 9.1 APG fuels offense ; Gonzaga (3) Gonzaga Bulldogs, +650, Nation- ..."
    }
  ]
}

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{
  "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-march-madness-picks-predictions-first-round-games-bracket/"
}

{
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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament South region Florida Houston Illinois upset picks"
}

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{
  "content": "site: media \\| arena: collegebasketball \\| pageType: stories \\|\nsection: \\| slug: 2026-march-madness-picks-predictions-first-round-games-bracket \\| sport: collegebasketball \\| route: article\\_single.us \\|\n6-keys: media/spln/collegebasketball/reg/free/stories\n\n[Skip to Main Content](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-march-madness-picks-predictions-first-round-games-bracket/#page-content)\n\nClose\n\nSign in with your TV provider\n\nIf not listed, please contact your TV provider.\n\n![[object Object] Logo](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2020/04/22/e9ceb731-8b3f-4c60-98fe-090ab66a2997/screen-shot-2020-04-22-at-11-04-56-am.png)\n\nAll ProvidersXfinity\n\n# 2026 March Madness picks: Predictions for every first-round game in the bracket\n\n## From matchup advantages to player-level edges, Isaac Trotter's scouting-driven breakdown projects how every first-round game could unfold.\n\n[![            Isaac Trotter     ](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2025/03/17/c3888e39-122f-43a1-bfd0-4a6dd7be7e8c/thumbnail/80x80/74a64173968db162c7df545f893445fc/trotter.png)](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/isaac-trotter/)\n\nBy\n[Isaac Trotter](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/isaac-trotter/)\n\n6 hrs ago\n•\n21 min read\n\n\n![firstroundpick-trotter.jpg](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2026/03/17/93341877-ffb5-4b6d-8340-894ec22ff277/thumbnail/770x433/7dfbf4b1c63e67215c2b652b89ee2b1a/firstroundpick-trotter.jpg)Keytron Jordan, CBS Sports\n\nTrends flood the lead-up to the [NCAA Tournament](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament/bracket/), but numbers without context rarely tell you what's actually about to happen in March. The real edges live in the matchups -- in how styles clash, where defenses crack and which players can tilt a game.\n\nThat's the approach here.\n\nThese aren't blind picks for every first-round game in the [bracket](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-bracket-2026-printable-mens-ncaa-tournament/). They're scouting reports -- built on data, personnel and the eye test -- to project how each matchup could unfold.\n\nThe [First Four continues Wednesday after a thrilling Tuesday](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-2026-first-four-live-updates-scores-bracket-tuesday/live/). Here's a quick look at how we expect these last two games to play out.\n\n> **No. 16** Lehigh **vs. No. 16** Prairie View: One team has Nasir Whitlock. The other does not. **The pick:** Lehigh\n>\n> **No. 11** SMU **vs. No. 11** Miami (Ohio): RedHawks star wing Eian Elmer has to play his best defensive game of the season against SMU's Jaron Pierre if Miami (Ohio) wants to advance to the field of 68. SMU probably won't have BJ Edwards, but it has unleashed stud freshman forward Jaden Toombs, who could be a game-wrecker in this one. SMU controls the paint and hangs on for dear life. **The pick:** SMU\n\nOK. Now, let's get into the X's and O's and players who will shape these first-round contests. You can [find my full bracket here](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-march-madness-picks-predictions-first-round-games-bracket/).\n\n## [EAST REGION](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-east-region-bracket-preview/)\n\n[![team logo](https://sports.cbsimg.net/fly/images/team-logos/21130.svg)](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/DUKE/duke-blue-devils/)\n\n[![team logo](https://sports.cbsimg.net/fly/images/team-logos/21262.svg)](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/SIENA/siena-saints/)\n\n**No. 1** [Duke](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/DUKE/duke-blue-devils/) **vs. No. 16** [Siena](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/SIENA/siena-saints/)\n\nDuke is the second-biggest team in the sport. Its size is simply overwhelming for mid-major foes. Even without [Caleb Foster](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/29233677/caleb-foster/) and Patrick Ngongba, Duke still trots out a seven-man rota"
}

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    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-bracket-south-region-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144500974.html",
      "title": "South region predictions, Cinderella, expert picks, schedule, odds ...",
      "snippet": "Florida enters the the NCAA tournament as a No. 1 seed with its frontcourt intact from his 2025 NCAA championship roster. Houston has added ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT6nt0YD25Y",
      "title": "March Madness South Region Bracket Preview, Picks - YouTube",
      "snippet": "March Madness South Region Bracket Preview, Picks: Florida, Houston, Illinois | 2026 NCAA Tournament · Comments."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-south-region-bracket-preview/",
      "title": "2026 NCAA Tournament South Region bracket preview - CBS Sports",
      "snippet": "Illinois would be at a home-court disadvantage playing Houston in Houston, but the game's location would guarantee a great environment."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7123628/2026/03/17/march-madness-expert-bracket-picks-duke-champion/",
      "title": "Expert picks for the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket: Why Brendan ...",
      "snippet": "2 Houston. 1 Florida. 3 Illinois. 1 Florida. TOURNAMENT CHAMPION. Duke. 1 Duke. 1 Arizona ... Best chance at an upset: South Florida over ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.covers.com/ncaab/march-madness/south-region-odds-picks-predictions",
      "title": "2026 South Region Odds & Picks: NCAA Tournament Bracket Analysis",
      "snippet": "Analyze 2026 South Region odds. From Florida's title defense to Houston's stifling defense, get expert picks and sleepers for this ..."
    }
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  "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-march-madness-picks-predictions-first-round-games-bracket/"
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  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Midwest region Michigan Iowa State Virginia upset picks"
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{
  "content": "site: media \\| arena: collegebasketball \\| pageType: stories \\|\nsection: \\| slug: 2026-march-madness-picks-predictions-first-round-games-bracket \\| sport: collegebasketball \\| route: article\\_single.us \\|\n6-keys: media/spln/collegebasketball/reg/free/stories\n\n[Skip to Main Content](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-march-madness-picks-predictions-first-round-games-bracket/#page-content)\n\nClose\n\nSign in with your TV provider\n\nIf not listed, please contact your TV provider.\n\n![[object Object] Logo](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2020/04/22/e9ceb731-8b3f-4c60-98fe-090ab66a2997/screen-shot-2020-04-22-at-11-04-56-am.png)\n\nAll ProvidersXfinity\n\n# 2026 March Madness picks: Predictions for every first-round game in the bracket\n\n## From matchup advantages to player-level edges, Isaac Trotter's scouting-driven breakdown projects how every first-round game could unfold.\n\n[![            Isaac Trotter     ](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2025/03/17/c3888e39-122f-43a1-bfd0-4a6dd7be7e8c/thumbnail/80x80/74a64173968db162c7df545f893445fc/trotter.png)](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/isaac-trotter/)\n\nBy\n[Isaac Trotter](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/isaac-trotter/)\n\n6 hrs ago\n•\n21 min read\n\n\n![firstroundpick-trotter.jpg](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2026/03/17/93341877-ffb5-4b6d-8340-894ec22ff277/thumbnail/770x433/7dfbf4b1c63e67215c2b652b89ee2b1a/firstroundpick-trotter.jpg)Keytron Jordan, CBS Sports\n\nTrends flood the lead-up to the [NCAA Tournament](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament/bracket/), but numbers without context rarely tell you what's actually about to happen in March. The real edges live in the matchups -- in how styles clash, where defenses crack and which players can tilt a game.\n\nThat's the approach here.\n\nThese aren't blind picks for every first-round game in the [bracket](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-bracket-2026-printable-mens-ncaa-tournament/). They're scouting reports -- built on data, personnel and the eye test -- to project how each matchup could unfold.\n\nThe [First Four continues Wednesday after a thrilling Tuesday](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-2026-first-four-live-updates-scores-bracket-tuesday/live/). Here's a quick look at how we expect these last two games to play out.\n\n> **No. 16** Lehigh **vs. No. 16** Prairie View: One team has Nasir Whitlock. The other does not. **The pick:** Lehigh\n>\n> **No. 11** SMU **vs. No. 11** Miami (Ohio): RedHawks star wing Eian Elmer has to play his best defensive game of the season against SMU's Jaron Pierre if Miami (Ohio) wants to advance to the field of 68. SMU probably won't have BJ Edwards, but it has unleashed stud freshman forward Jaden Toombs, who could be a game-wrecker in this one. SMU controls the paint and hangs on for dear life. **The pick:** SMU\n\nOK. Now, let's get into the X's and O's and players who will shape these first-round contests. You can [find my full bracket here](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-march-madness-picks-predictions-first-round-games-bracket/).\n\n## [EAST REGION](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-east-region-bracket-preview/)\n\n[![team logo](https://sports.cbsimg.net/fly/images/team-logos/21130.svg)](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/DUKE/duke-blue-devils/)\n\n[![team logo](https://sports.cbsimg.net/fly/images/team-logos/21262.svg)](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/SIENA/siena-saints/)\n\n**No. 1** [Duke](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/DUKE/duke-blue-devils/) **vs. No. 16** [Siena](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/SIENA/siena-saints/)\n\nDuke is the second-biggest team in the sport. Its size is simply overwhelming for mid-major foes. Even without [Caleb Foster](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/29233677/caleb-foster/) and Patrick Ngongba, Duke still trots out a seven-man rota"
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    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-bracket-midwest-region-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144504902.html",
      "title": "Midwest region predictions, Cinderella, expert picks, schedule, odds ...",
      "snippet": "Iowa State (16-1). Virginia (80-1). Michigan ... March Madness 2026, odds, picks, predictions: Our favorite 2026 NCAA tournament futures bets."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.si.com/betting/betting-the-midwest-region-in-2026-ncaa-tournament-predictions-odds-upsets-for-march-madness",
      "title": "Betting the Midwest Region in 2026 NCAA Tournament",
      "snippet": "Each Midwest Region Team's Odds to Win March Madness · Michigan +360 · Iowa State +1500 · Virginia +7500 · Tennessee +12000 · Texas Tech +13000 ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-midwest-region-bracket-preview/",
      "title": "2026 NCAA Tournament Midwest Region bracket preview",
      "snippet": "Breaking down the 2026 NCAA Tournament Midwest Region with predictions, upset picks, sleeper teams, best first-round games and players to ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/march-madness-bracket-2026-upset-predictions-final-four-pick-midwest-region/aff1e865aadcb1abc994d03e",
      "title": "March Madness bracket 2026: Upset predictions, sleepers, Final ...",
      "snippet": "Michigan did beat Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin – all tournament teams. The loss to Purdue was more about getting beat inside ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaab/2026-ncaa-tournament-midwest-region-preview-sleepers-favorites-best-matchups",
      "title": "2026 NCAA Tournament Midwest Region Preview - Action Network",
      "snippet": "I suspect the winner of a likely Sweet Sixteen matchup between Iowa State and Virginia will pose a very difficult test for Michigan in the Elite ..."
    }
  ]
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{
  "content": "Advertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\n[19\\\\\n\\\\\nHOURS LEFT\\\\\n\\\\\n![](https://s.yimg.com/ba/images/9c465512eeec582cf7a7fcd1ea7142f6df38b20ec9cfbcf46b7f7a11811cc12e.png)\\\\\n\\\\\nThink you've got the perfect bracket? Prove it.\\\\\n\\\\\n$50k is on the line. Enter by 3/19\\\\\n\\\\\nFill Out Bracket](https://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/mens-basketball-bracket/register/createteam?ncid=100003769)\n\nTRENDING\n\n- [Play Bracket Mayhem](http://yahoofantasy.com/bracketmayhem)\n\n- [March Madness bracket picks](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-bracket-picks-cinderellas-upsets-final-four-predictions-and-more-for-the-ncaa-mens-and-womens-tournaments-134128076.html)\n\n- [Printable brackets](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/breaking-news/article/march-madness-printable-brackets-for-mens-and-womens-2026-ncaa-basketball-tournaments-141418306.html)\n\n- [About WNBA's new CBA and season](https://sports.yahoo.com/wnba/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-wnbas-new-cba-and-upcoming-season-173735615.html)\n\n- [No silver lining for USA](https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/world-baseball-classic-for-team-usa-juggernaut-offense-never-materializes-in-another-wbc-disappointment-075418149.html)\n\n\nStory by [![Yahoo Sports](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OY7XpdnJ.mnppEyjHIbScA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI2MjtoPTU2O2NmPXdlYnA-/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2021-02/d6cfeca0-6bdc-11eb-9fff-072dbeffa160)\\\\\n\\\\\n![Yahoo Sports](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0a6D8e9zyXYgoJ0vQZUUQw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI4ODtoPTU2O2NmPXdlYnA-/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2021-02/ca3e26a0-6bdc-11eb-b7ee-d9fd18161c81)](https://sports.yahoo.com/)\n\n[![](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4KLt_DdwTB7BOLoEV4Gozg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTIxMDtoPTIxMDtjZj13ZWJw/https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fs.yimg.com%2Fos%2Fcreatr-uploaded-images%2F2024-04%2F683e1040-f299-11ee-beb8-27dfe8b68175&compress=1&progressive=1&quality=75&client=hawkeye&signature=f72b25a62123cbbee0106cde10b8db28096c309f)](https://sports.yahoo.com/author/scott-pianowski/)\n\n[Scott Pianowski](https://sports.yahoo.com/author/scott-pianowski/) Fantasy analyst\n\nWed, March 18, 2026 at 6:04 PM UTC·\n\n6 min read\n\n_It’s time to fill out your bracket, and what's March without a little madness in the form of some Cinderella teams to root for along the way? Yahoo Sports’ Scott Pianowski reveals four teams with a solid case to outkick expectations in the first week of the men’s_ [NCAA tournament](https://sports.yahoo.com/college-basketball/topic/march-madness/) _._\n\n_Note: All team stats courtesy of the indispensable KenPom.com._\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nI know the thirst for underdogs is strong as [we get ready for the NCAA tournament](https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/article/yahoo-fantasy-bracket-mayhem-is-back-the-best-bracket-in-both-the-mens-and-womens-college-basketball-contests-will-win-25k-each-225407876.html), but I’m going to be cautious as I fill out my brackets this week. It’s possible the NIL era has turned the tournament into a favorite-friendly event, where the difference between the higher-payroll schools and the lower-payroll schools is significant. Consider that last March, all four No. 1 seeds made the Final Four, and there was only one double-digit team (Arkansas, a 10 seed) that survived the first weekend.\n\n[**Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem: Make your picks for $50K in total prizes**](https://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/mens-basketball-bracket/register/createteam?ncid=100003774)\n\nOne set of results is not definitive proof of anything, of course. And with that in mind, let’s get to today’s assignment, some Cinderellas (of varying longshot depth) who have a chance to outkick their expectations and last longer than the odds initially suggest.\n\n## Light Cinderella: St. John’s (No. 5 seed, East)\n\nIf you simply picked all the higher seeds to advance in every game, t"
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{
  "content": "site: media \\| arena: collegebasketball \\| pageType: stories \\|\nsection: \\| slug: 2026-ncaa-tournament-midwest-region-bracket-preview \\| sport: collegebasketball \\| route: article\\_single.us \\|\n6-keys: media/spln/collegebasketball/reg/free/stories\n\n[Skip to Main Content](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-midwest-region-bracket-preview/#page-content)\n\nClose\n\nSign in with your TV provider\n\nIf not listed, please contact your TV provider.\n\n![[object Object] Logo](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2020/04/22/e9ceb731-8b3f-4c60-98fe-090ab66a2997/screen-shot-2020-04-22-at-11-04-56-am.png)\n\nAll ProvidersXfinity\n\n# 2026 NCAA Tournament Midwest Region bracket preview: Predictions, sleepers, players to watch\n\n## Michigan headlines a Midwest Region packed with offensive firepower, from Iowa State's versatile stars to Tennessee's dynamic backcourt and several dangerous double-digit seeds.\n\n[![            Isaac Trotter     ](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2025/03/17/c3888e39-122f-43a1-bfd0-4a6dd7be7e8c/thumbnail/80x80/74a64173968db162c7df545f893445fc/trotter.png)](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/isaac-trotter/)\n\nBy\n[Isaac Trotter](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/isaac-trotter/)\n\n\nMar 16, 2026\n\nat\n\n10:52 am ET\n•\n6 min read\n\n\n![img-5049.jpg](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2026/03/16/343085c8-420f-4176-8915-a993409f1eea/thumbnail/770x433/5fd900e9c098875e870e2e668d875179/img-5049.jpg)CBS Sports\n\n[Michigan](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/MICH/michigan-wolverines/) enters the [2026 NCAA Tournament](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-bracket-2026-printable-mens-ncaa-tournament/)as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region, and Dusty May's team looks every bit the part of a Final Four contender.\n\nBut the bottom half of this bracket could turn chaotic in a hurry.\n\nNo. 6 seed [Tennessee](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/TENN/tennessee-volunteers/) has an outstanding 1-2 punch of [Ja'Kobi Gillespie](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/28953014/jakobi-gillespie/) and [Nate Ament](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/29017071/nate-ament/), surrounded by a cast of defensive ends in the frontcourt. No. 3 seed [Virginia](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/UVA/virginia-cavaliers/) has its own intimidating 1-2 punch with [Malik Thomas](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/26790550/malik-thomas/) and [Thijs de Ridder](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/50024581/thijs-de-ridder/), surrounded by a deep collection of size and shooting. [Miami (Ohio)](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/MIAOH/miami-ohio-redhawks/) is lurking in the weeds. And then there's [Kentucky](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/UK/kentucky-wildcats/).\n\nBuckle up. This region could be a wild ride.\n\n**_[March Madness](https://cbssports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament/) ® is better with friends, especially when you beat them!_** [**_Get your bracket pools ready now_**](https://picks.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament/bracket?ftag=CBS-03-10adj4j) **_and invite your friends, family and co-workers to play._**\n\nHere's a complete look at the Midwest Region ahead of this week's action.\n\n## Best first-round game\n\n**(8) [Saint Louis](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/STLOU/saint-louis-billikens/) vs. (9)** **[Georgia](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/UGA/georgia-bulldogs/)**: This will be a smorgasbord of offense. Georgia cracked the century mark a whopping eight times this year. The Dawgs rank third nationally in points per game. Meanwhile, Saint Louis rates third in the country in effective field goal percentage. There will be _buckets_, especially in transition, where both of these offenses wax opponents. Coach Josh Schertz, star player [Robbie Avila](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/28956296/robbi"
}

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  "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/article/2026-ncaa-tournament-bracket-picks-best-cinderella-teams-and-upset-sleepers-for-march-madness-160049659.html"
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{
  "content": "Advertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\n[19\\\\\n\\\\\nHOURS LEFT\\\\\n\\\\\n![](https://s.yimg.com/ba/images/9c465512eeec582cf7a7fcd1ea7142f6df38b20ec9cfbcf46b7f7a11811cc12e.png)\\\\\n\\\\\nThink you've got the perfect bracket? Prove it.\\\\\n\\\\\n$50k is on the line. Enter by 3/19\\\\\n\\\\\nFill Out Bracket](https://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/mens-basketball-bracket/register/createteam?ncid=100003769)\n\nTRENDING\n\n- [Play Bracket Mayhem](http://yahoofantasy.com/bracketmayhem)\n\n- [March Madness bracket picks](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-bracket-picks-cinderellas-upsets-final-four-predictions-and-more-for-the-ncaa-mens-and-womens-tournaments-134128076.html)\n\n- [Printable brackets](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/breaking-news/article/march-madness-printable-brackets-for-mens-and-womens-2026-ncaa-basketball-tournaments-141418306.html)\n\n- [About WNBA's new CBA and season](https://sports.yahoo.com/wnba/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-wnbas-new-cba-and-upcoming-season-173735615.html)\n\n- [No silver lining for USA](https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/world-baseball-classic-for-team-usa-juggernaut-offense-never-materializes-in-another-wbc-disappointment-075418149.html)\n\n\nStory by [![Yahoo Sports](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OY7XpdnJ.mnppEyjHIbScA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI2MjtoPTU2O2NmPXdlYnA-/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2021-02/d6cfeca0-6bdc-11eb-9fff-072dbeffa160)\\\\\n\\\\\n![Yahoo Sports](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0a6D8e9zyXYgoJ0vQZUUQw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI4ODtoPTU2O2NmPXdlYnA-/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2021-02/ca3e26a0-6bdc-11eb-b7ee-d9fd18161c81)](https://sports.yahoo.com/)\n\n[![](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4KLt_DdwTB7BOLoEV4Gozg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTIxMDtoPTIxMDtjZj13ZWJw/https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fs.yimg.com%2Fos%2Fcreatr-uploaded-images%2F2024-04%2F683e1040-f299-11ee-beb8-27dfe8b68175&compress=1&progressive=1&quality=75&client=hawkeye&signature=f72b25a62123cbbee0106cde10b8db28096c309f)](https://sports.yahoo.com/author/scott-pianowski/)\n\n[Scott Pianowski](https://sports.yahoo.com/author/scott-pianowski/) Fantasy analyst\n\nWed, March 18, 2026 at 6:04 PM UTC·\n\n6 min read\n\n_It’s time to fill out your bracket, and what's March without a little madness in the form of some Cinderella teams to root for along the way? Yahoo Sports’ Scott Pianowski reveals four teams with a solid case to outkick expectations in the first week of the men’s_ [NCAA tournament](https://sports.yahoo.com/college-basketball/topic/march-madness/) _._\n\n_Note: All team stats courtesy of the indispensable KenPom.com._\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nI know the thirst for underdogs is strong as [we get ready for the NCAA tournament](https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/article/yahoo-fantasy-bracket-mayhem-is-back-the-best-bracket-in-both-the-mens-and-womens-college-basketball-contests-will-win-25k-each-225407876.html), but I’m going to be cautious as I fill out my brackets this week. It’s possible the NIL era has turned the tournament into a favorite-friendly event, where the difference between the higher-payroll schools and the lower-payroll schools is significant. Consider that last March, all four No. 1 seeds made the Final Four, and there was only one double-digit team (Arkansas, a 10 seed) that survived the first weekend.\n\n[**Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem: Make your picks for $50K in total prizes**](https://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/mens-basketball-bracket/register/createteam?ncid=100003774)\n\nOne set of results is not definitive proof of anything, of course. And with that in mind, let’s get to today’s assignment, some Cinderellas (of varying longshot depth) who have a chance to outkick their expectations and last longer than the odds initially suggest.\n\n## Light Cinderella: St. John’s (No. 5 seed, East)\n\nIf you simply picked all the higher seeds to advance in every game, t"
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{
  "content": "site: media \\| arena: collegebasketball \\| pageType: stories \\|\nsection: \\| slug: 2026-ncaa-tournament-midwest-region-bracket-preview \\| sport: collegebasketball \\| route: article\\_single.us \\|\n6-keys: media/spln/collegebasketball/reg/free/stories\n\n[Skip to Main Content](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-midwest-region-bracket-preview/#page-content)\n\nClose\n\nSign in with your TV provider\n\nIf not listed, please contact your TV provider.\n\n![[object Object] Logo](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2020/04/22/e9ceb731-8b3f-4c60-98fe-090ab66a2997/screen-shot-2020-04-22-at-11-04-56-am.png)\n\nAll ProvidersXfinity\n\n# 2026 NCAA Tournament Midwest Region bracket preview: Predictions, sleepers, players to watch\n\n## Michigan headlines a Midwest Region packed with offensive firepower, from Iowa State's versatile stars to Tennessee's dynamic backcourt and several dangerous double-digit seeds.\n\n[![            Isaac Trotter     ](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2025/03/17/c3888e39-122f-43a1-bfd0-4a6dd7be7e8c/thumbnail/80x80/74a64173968db162c7df545f893445fc/trotter.png)](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/isaac-trotter/)\n\nBy\n[Isaac Trotter](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/isaac-trotter/)\n\n\nMar 16, 2026\n\nat\n\n10:52 am ET\n•\n6 min read\n\n\n![img-5049.jpg](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2026/03/16/343085c8-420f-4176-8915-a993409f1eea/thumbnail/770x433/5fd900e9c098875e870e2e668d875179/img-5049.jpg)CBS Sports\n\n[Michigan](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/MICH/michigan-wolverines/) enters the [2026 NCAA Tournament](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-bracket-2026-printable-mens-ncaa-tournament/)as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region, and Dusty May's team looks every bit the part of a Final Four contender.\n\nBut the bottom half of this bracket could turn chaotic in a hurry.\n\nNo. 6 seed [Tennessee](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/TENN/tennessee-volunteers/) has an outstanding 1-2 punch of [Ja'Kobi Gillespie](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/28953014/jakobi-gillespie/) and [Nate Ament](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/29017071/nate-ament/), surrounded by a cast of defensive ends in the frontcourt. No. 3 seed [Virginia](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/UVA/virginia-cavaliers/) has its own intimidating 1-2 punch with [Malik Thomas](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/26790550/malik-thomas/) and [Thijs de Ridder](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/50024581/thijs-de-ridder/), surrounded by a deep collection of size and shooting. [Miami (Ohio)](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/MIAOH/miami-ohio-redhawks/) is lurking in the weeds. And then there's [Kentucky](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/UK/kentucky-wildcats/).\n\nBuckle up. This region could be a wild ride.\n\n**_[March Madness](https://cbssports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament/) ® is better with friends, especially when you beat them!_** [**_Get your bracket pools ready now_**](https://picks.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament/bracket?ftag=CBS-03-10adj4j) **_and invite your friends, family and co-workers to play._**\n\nHere's a complete look at the Midwest Region ahead of this week's action.\n\n## Best first-round game\n\n**(8) [Saint Louis](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/STLOU/saint-louis-billikens/) vs. (9)** **[Georgia](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/UGA/georgia-bulldogs/)**: This will be a smorgasbord of offense. Georgia cracked the century mark a whopping eight times this year. The Dawgs rank third nationally in points per game. Meanwhile, Saint Louis rates third in the country in effective field goal percentage. There will be _buckets_, especially in transition, where both of these offenses wax opponents. Coach Josh Schertz, star player [Robbie Avila](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/28956296/robbi"
}

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  "url": "https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7123628/2026/03/17/march-madness-expert-bracket-picks-duke-champion/"
}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament upset picks 12 seed over 5 seed 10 seed over 7 seed predictions"
}

{
  "error": "We apologize for the inconvenience but we do not support this site. If you are part of an enterprise and want to have a further conversation about this, please fill out our intake form here: https://fk4bvu0n5qp.typeform.com/to/Ej6oydlg",
  "content": ""
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{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7121264/2026/03/16/march-madness-upsets-ncaa-tournament-2026-10-most-likely/",
      "title": "The 10 most likely men's NCAA tournament upsets for March ...",
      "snippet": "High Point made our list of dangerous underdogs last week, while Wisconsin popped up as the most vulnerable potential top-five seed. Now they ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/ncaa-tournament-2026-bracket-simulation-predicts-surprising-upsets-best-sleepers-march-madness-picks/",
      "title": "NCAA Tournament 2026 bracket: Simulation predicts surprising ...",
      "snippet": "It nailed 12 teams in the Sweet 16 and correctly predicted all four Final Four teams a year ago."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/tourney/2026/03/17/march-madness-upset-predictions-final-four-picks-to-help-fill-out-ncaa-tournament-bracket-2026/89193610007/",
      "title": "March Madness bold predictions: Top upset picks, surprises, sleepers",
      "snippet": "12-seed Akron was picked to reach the Sweet 16 twice in the Midwest Region (Eddie Timanus and Jordan Mendoza are bullish on the Zips). 12-seed ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMV9y2zvvRo",
      "title": "THE MOST ACCURATE MARCH MADNESS UPSET PICKS OF 2026",
      "snippet": "Elite 8, Final 4, Championship PICKS for '26 NCAA Tournament | How Many 1-Seeds In Final 4? Locked On College Basketball. New. 192 views · 12:05."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://deadspin.com/best-12-vs-5-ncaa-tournament-upset-picks-for-2026-march-madness/",
      "title": "Best 12 vs 5 NCAA Tournament Upset Picks for 2026 March Madness",
      "snippet": "Looking for 12 vs 5 upsets in March Madness? Here's a breakdown of the best underdog picks in the first round."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "url": "https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/tourney/2026/03/17/march-madness-upset-predictions-final-four-picks-to-help-fill-out-ncaa-tournament-bracket-2026/89193610007/"
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  "url": "https://deadspin.com/best-12-vs-5-ncaa-tournament-upset-picks-for-2026-march-madness/"
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{
  "content": "[Close](https://www.usatoday.com/sports/) [Close](https://www.usatoday.com/sports/)\n\nNCAA TOURNAMENT\n\nNCAA Men's Basketball Tournament\n\nAdd Topic\n\n# March Madness bold predictions: Top upset picks, surprises, sleepers\n\n[![Portrait of Matthew Glenesk](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2025/03/12/PIND/82332180007-031125-matt-glenesk-mug-0001.JPG?crop=3439,3438,x773,y0&width=48&height=48&format=pjpg&auto=webp) Matthew Glenesk](https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2646923001/matthew-glenesk/)\n\nUSA TODAY\n\nMarch 17, 2026Updated March 18, 2026, 11:02 a.m. ET\n\nHear this story\n\n[Share to Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?display=popup&app_id=1279862243338849&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fncaab%2Ftourney%2F2026%2F03%2F17%2Fmarch-madness-upset-predictions-final-four-picks-to-help-fill-out-ncaa-tournament-bracket-2026%2F89193610007%2F)[Share to Twitter](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fncaab%2Ftourney%2F2026%2F03%2F17%2Fmarch-madness-upset-predictions-final-four-picks-to-help-fill-out-ncaa-tournament-bracket-2026%2F89193610007%2F&text=March%20Madness%20bold%20predictions%3A%20Top%20upset%20picks%2C%20surprises%2C%20sleepers&via=usatoday)[Share by email](mailto:?subject=March%20Madness%20bold%20predictions%3A%20Top%20upset%20picks%2C%20surprises%2C%20sleepers%20-%20from%20USA%20TODAY&body=March%20Madness%20bold%20predictions%3A%20Top%20upset%20picks%2C%20surprises%2C%20sleepers%0A%0AWhat%27s%20most%20popular%20March%20Madness%20upset%20pick%3F%20How%20about%20a%20Sweet%2016%20surprise%20and%20a%20Final%20Four%20dark%20horse.%20See%20our%20NCAA%20Tournament%202026%20predictions.%0A%0ACheck%20out%20this%20story%20on%20usatoday.com%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fncaab%2Ftourney%2F2026%2F03%2F17%2Fmarch-madness-upset-predictions-final-four-picks-to-help-fill-out-ncaa-tournament-bracket-2026%2F89193610007%2F)\n\nNeed help filling out your [March Madness bracket](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/tourney/2026/03/15/march-madness-printable-bracket-pdf-ncaa-tournament-2026/89099335007/)?\n\nWe had 10 members of the USA TODAY Sports staff [fill out brackets](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/tourney/2026/03/16/march-madness-bracket-predictions-ncaa-tournament-2026-expert-picks/89170127007/) using [our Bracket Challenge game](https://www.usatoday.com/sports/contests/brackets/sweepstakes), presented by [AutoZone](https://www.autozone.com/?cmpid=DSP:US:EN:AD:2608:UST:AWR:BNR:1x1:GEN:NA:TPR:SCD:GRL:GAL:NA:NA:NA:NA&dclid=CK696t-pp5MDFZKSrgUdgoIchQ&gad_source=7&gad_campaignid=23605445926).\n\nHere's a look at some of the takeaways from their predictions, including most popular upset and most likely [Final Four](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/tourney/2026/03/15/march-madness-predictions-final-four-picks-ncaa-tournament-2026/89119495007/) teams.\n\n[![](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2026/03/16/USAT/89181942007-penn.png?crop=3999,2250,x0,y0&width=660&height=372&format=pjpg&auto=webp)](https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/sports/ncaab/2026/03/17/ncaa-basketball-famous-alumni/89147361007/)\n\n## March Madness predictions: Most popular NCAA Tournament first round upset picks\n\n- Santa Clara over Kentucky was picked eight times (80%).\n- VCU over North Carolina was picked seven times (70%).\n- South Florida over Louisville was picked six times (60%).\n\n## Our boldest March Madness first round upset prediction\n\n[Matt Hayes' bracket](https://www.usatoday.com/sports/contests/brackets/1baa4461-7d4a-410f-b2b8-3bdd9b06b7f5) is go big or go home. He has seven double-digit seeds winning first round games.\n\nHe's got your typical 5-12 upsets, going with High Point to beat Wisconsin and McNeese beating Vanderbilt in the first round.\n\nBut he wasn't done. His prediction of 14-seed Wright State beating 3-seed Virginia in the Midwest Region was our boldest take.\n\n[View Gallery - March Madness bracket b"
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{
  "content": "# Best 12 vs 5 NCAA Tournament Upset Picks for 2026 March Madness\n\n![Drew Thirion](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-100/1751844297575)[Drew Thirion](https://deadspin.com/author/drew-t/) \\|published: Tue 17th March, 10:18 2026\n\n![Jan 27, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Tyler Tanner (3) reacts after a made three point basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200/1773756662437)Jan 27, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Tyler Tanner (3) reacts after a made three point basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images\n\nThe 12 versus 5 matchup in the tournament is always the trendy upset pick, but that might not be the case this season.\n\nThe five seeds look very strong, while the twelve seeds will be fighting a steeper up hill climbin than usual. With that being said, five seeds have only gone undefeated five times since 2000, so having one upset on your bracket is probably a smart call.\n\nHere are the twelve seeds that I think have the best chance [to play Cinderella](https://deadspin.com/march-madness-cinderella-picks-three-teams-ready-to-bust-brackets) in the first round.\n\n## \\#12 UNI (+470) vs \\#5 St. John’s -10.5\n\nSt. John’s is a dark-horse final-four team on a lot of brackets at the moment. The Big East champions, [led by Rick Pitino](https://deadspin.com/st-johns-is-back-rick-pitinos-big-mouth-is-louder-and-the-big-east-title-is-theirs/), play a completely different brand of basketball from UNI. St John’s is going to speed the game up by applying full-court pressure and creating turnovers and extra possessions on offensive rebounds. The Panthers, on the other hand, play at the third-slowest tempo in the nation and the slowest of any team in the tournament.\n\nIn March, if you can limit the total number of possessions in a game, while shooting efficiently, you’ve got a great chance of pulling off an upset. UNI shot 41% from three over their four-game run through the Missouri Valley Conference to steal the conference as the 6 seed. St John’s played some of their best basketball in the Big East tournament, but we saw that happen last season, and then the Johnnies faltered out early, when they weren’t able to speed up the game in the tournament.\n\nToo many people have St. John’s going on a deep run when they should be far more worried about this first-round matchup.\n\n## \\#12 Akron (+260) vs \\#5 Texas Tech -7.5\n\n![Mar 7, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) reacts to a made three point shot during the second half against the BYU Cougars at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200/1773756902791)Mar 7, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) reacts to a made three point shot during the second half against the BYU Cougars at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images\n\nAkron is one of the trendy 12 seeds this season. They’re a veteran team, making their third straight appearance in the tournament, while Texas Tech can be a great team, but their ceiling feels very limited with the injury to their leader, JT Toppin.\n\nThe Zips have been a bit of a KenPom darling all season long.\n\nThey had been the highest-ranked MAC team despite losing to [undefeated Miami](https://deadspin.com/why-the-ncaa-tournament-selection-process-still-doesnt-make-sense/) in the regular season. Akron and Texas Tech have the closest margin in KenPom ratings among the 12 vs 5 games because Akron has been such an efficient offense all season. They shoot threes at 38.5% and can keep pace with a Texas Tech team that scores 80 points per game. The only reason I don’t have this in my No. 1 slot is Texas Tech’s defense.\n\nTheir entire game plan relies on them preventing threes, an"
}

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  "url": "https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7121264/2026/03/16/march-madness-upsets-ncaa-tournament-2026-10-most-likely/"
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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Texas Longhorns NC State First Four winner BYU game analysis"
}

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  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.nba.com/news/ncaa-tournament-2026-texas-vs-nc-state",
      "title": "Tramon Mark's late jumper gives Texas a 68-66 win over NC State in ...",
      "snippet": "Mark scored 17 points to lead the Longhorns (19-14), who had lost five of six entering the NCAA Tournament. Texas moved into the bracket as the ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/march-madness-2026-mens-first-four-live-updates-scores-results-bracket/FaqP8tALRmPJ/",
      "title": "Men's March Madness 2026 First Four score, live updates",
      "snippet": "Last night's games saw (16) Howard hold off (16) UMBC by three points before (11) Texas edged (11) NC State by two. Tonight's contests ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.si.com/college/texas/basketball/3-texas-longhorns-who-stood-out-in-march-madness-win-vs-nc-state",
      "title": "3 Texas Longhorns Who Stood Out in March Madness Win vs NC ...",
      "snippet": "The Texas Longhorns are headed to the Round of 64 to play the No. 6 BYU Cougars after taking down NC State in the First Four in Dayton, Ohio on ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2026/03/17/first-four-scores-updates-howard-vs-umbc-nc-state-vs-texas-march-madness-2026/89181709007/",
      "title": "First Four scores, highlights: NC State vs Texas; Howard vs UMBC",
      "snippet": "Tramon Mark's last-second jumper proves to be the difference, with Texas holding on for a 68-66 win against NC State in a matchup of No. 11 ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-longhorns/2026/03/17/texas-longhorns-nc-state-wolfpack-tramon-mark-march-madness-ncaa-tournament-first-four/",
      "title": "National reaction to Tramon Mark's game-winner in Texas-NC State",
      "snippet": "The Texas Longhorns are moving on in the NCAA Tournament after Tramon Mark's game-winning jump shot gave Texas a 68-66 win over NC State in the ..."
    }
  ]
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  "query": "Howard UMBC First Four 2026 NCAA tournament who won result"
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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Lehigh Prairie View First Four result who won"
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  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/march-madness-2026-mens-first-four-live-updates-scores-results-bracket/FaqP8tALRmPJ/",
      "title": "Men's March Madness 2026 First Four score, live updates",
      "snippet": "Last night's games saw (16) Howard hold off (16) UMBC by three points before (11) Texas edged (11) NC State by two. Tonight's contests feature ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2026/03/17/first-four-scores-updates-howard-vs-umbc-nc-state-vs-texas-march-madness-2026/89181709007/",
      "title": "First Four scores, highlights: NC State vs Texas; Howard vs UMBC",
      "snippet": "FINAL: Howard 86, UMBC 83. Howard makes history by earning its first-ever NCAA tournament victory. Before the final buzzer sounded, it had to ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6diwZNv6P0",
      "title": "UMBC vs Howard - FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS First Four - YouTube",
      "snippet": "Live Games on TNT/TruTV/TBS/CBS UMBC vs Howard full game highlights from the First Four of the 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://apnews.com/article/umbc-howard-score-march-madness-0c0e3c65127d0b934a63e8fab873ed68",
      "title": "Howard holds off UMBC in First Four for its first March Madness win",
      "snippet": "Howard gets its first March Madness win, holding off UMBC 86-83 in the First Four ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/howard-holds-off-umbc-first-042306825.html",
      "title": "Howard holds off UMBC in First Four for its first March Madness win",
      "snippet": "DJ Armstrong Jr.'s 3-pointer with 43 seconds left got UMBC within 83-81. After Harris' jumper as the shot clock expired gave Howard a four-point ..."
    }
  ]
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  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401856437/lehigh-prairie-view",
      "title": "Lehigh vs. Prairie View A&M (Mar 18, 2026) Live Score - ESPN",
      "snippet": "Duke heads into the men's NCAA tournament as the top overall seed with Arizona, Florida and Michigan rounding out the top four. 1d. Purdue tops Michigan to win ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament-first-4-lehigh-mountain-hawks-vs-prairie-view-am-panthers-mar-18-2026-game-boxscore-264059",
      "title": "2025-26 NCAA Tournament - First Four: Mar 18, 2026 - FOX Sports",
      "snippet": "Wells ended with 16 points (6-15 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and three blocks in 40 minutes during Saturday's 72-66 victory over Southern ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/gametracker/preview/NCAAB_20260318_PVAM@LEHIGH/",
      "title": "Prairie View A&M Panthers vs. Lehigh Mountain Hawks Live Score ...",
      "snippet": "Prairie View A&M Panthers and Lehigh Mountain Hawks reached the NCAA Tournament ... first NCAA Tournament win. \"This will be a comprehensive, all- ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.gazettextra.com/sports/national/lehigh-plays-prairie-view-a-m-in-first-4-matchup/article_23958159-e4b9-58d3-ac70-cb0bd29943e5.html",
      "title": "Lehigh plays Prairie View A&M in First 4 matchup - Janesville Gazette",
      "snippet": "Prairie View A&M Panthers (18-17, 13-9 SWAC) vs. Lehigh Mountain Hawks (18-16, 14-7 Patriot League). Dayton, Ohio; Wednesday, 6:40 p.m. EDT."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.messenger-inquirer.com/ap/sports/lehigh-plays-prairie-view-a-m-in-first-4-matchup/article_656f9b02-e73f-574f-ad5e-1c01041236b1.html",
      "title": "Lehigh plays Prairie View A&M in First 4 matchup | Sports",
      "snippet": "Prairie View A&M Panthers (18-17, 13-9 SWAC) vs. Lehigh Mountain Hawks (18-16, 14-7 Patriot League)"
    }
  ]
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  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament SMU Miami Ohio First Four winner result"
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{
  "content": "secure-us.imrworldwide.com\n\n# secure-us.imrworldwide.com is blocked\n\nThis page has been blocked by an extension\n\n- Try disabling your extensions.\n\nERR\\_BLOCKED\\_BY\\_CLIENT\n\nReload\n\n\nThis page has been blocked by an extension\n\n![](<Base64-Image-Removed>)![](<Base64-Image-Removed>)\n\n![](https://b.fssta.com/uploads/application/college/venues/PlaceholderCBK.vresize.3776.2124.medium.0.jpg)\n\nTIP OFF IN\n\n00\n\nHrs\n\n:  01  :\n\nMins\n\n44\n\nSecs\n\n[![Prairie View A&M](https://b.fssta.com/uploads/application/college/team-logos/PrairieViewA&M.vresize.92.92.medium.1.png)](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/prairie-view-am-panthers-team) [![Lehigh](https://b.fssta.com/uploads/application/college/team-logos/Lehigh.vresize.92.92.medium.1.png)](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/lehigh-mountain-hawks-team) NCAA TOURNAMENT - FIRST FOUR\n\n## [16 Prairie View A&M](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/prairie-view-am-panthers-team) vs    [16 Lehigh](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/lehigh-mountain-hawks-team)\n\nToday at 6:40 PM on TruTV\n\n#16 Lehigh meets #16 Prairie View A&M in South First Four\n\n![UD Arena](https://b.fssta.com/uploads/application/leagues/logos/NCAABasketball.vresize.52.52.medium.4.png)\nUD Arena, Dayton, OH\n\n[COLLEGE BASKETBALL](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball)\n>\n[Scores](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/scores)\n>\n\n\n# 2025-26 NCAA Tournament - First Four: Mar 18, 2026\n\n[**MATCHUP**](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament-first-4-prairie-view-am-panthers-vs-lehigh-mountain-hawks-mar-18-2026-game-boxscore-264059) [**ODDS**](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament-first-4-prairie-view-am-panthers-vs-lehigh-mountain-hawks-mar-18-2026-game-boxscore-264059?tab=odds) [**NEWS**](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament-first-4-prairie-view-am-panthers-vs-lehigh-mountain-hawks-mar-18-2026-game-boxscore-264059?tab=news)\n\n#16 Lehigh meets #16 Prairie View A&M in South First Four\n\n### LEADING SCORERS\n\n[![DONTAE HORNE](https://b.fssta.com/uploads/application/college/team-logos/PrairieViewA&M.vresize.252.252.medium.1.png)](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/dontae-horne-player)\n\n#2 G [D. Horne](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/dontae-horne-player)\n\n20.2 PPG4.5 RPG3.1 APG\n\nvs\n\n\n[![NASIR WHITLOCK](https://b.fssta.com/uploads/application/college/team-logos/Lehigh.vresize.252.252.medium.1.png)](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/nasir-whitlock-player)\n\n#1 G [N. Whitlock](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/nasir-whitlock-player)\n\n21.0 PPG3.5 RPG3.4 APG\n\n### TEAM STATS\n\n![PV](https://b.fssta.com/uploads/application/college/team-logos/PrairieViewA&M.vresize.50.50.medium.1.png) PV8TH SWAC\n\n78.9PPG73.2\n\n31.0RPG28.9\n\n11.9APG14.3\n\n11.2TPG11.7\n\n76.1PPG Allowed74.0\n\n![LEH](https://b.fssta.com/uploads/application/college/team-logos/Lehigh.vresize.50.50.medium.1.png) LEH3RD PATRIOT\n\n### TEAM LEADERS\n\n![PV](https://b.fssta.com/uploads/application/college/team-logos/PrairieViewA&M.vresize.50.50.medium.1.png) PV\n\n[Dontae Horne](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/dontae-horne-player)\n\n20.2\n\nPPG\n\n[Nasir Whitlock](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/nasir-whitlock-player)\n\n21.0\n\n[Cory Wells](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/cory-wells-player)\n\n7.1\n\nRPG\n\n[Hank Alvey](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/hank-alvey-player)\n\n6.8\n\n[Lance Williams](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/lance-williams-3-player)\n\n3.3\n\nAPG\n\n[Nasir Whitlock](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/nasir-whitlock-player)\n\n3.4\n\n[Corey Dunning](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/corey-dunning-player)\n\n1.2\n\nBPG\n\n[Hank Alvey](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/hank-alvey-player)\n\n1.8\n\n[Dontae Horne](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/dontae-horne-player)\n\n1.9\n\nSPG\n\n[Joshua Ingram](https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/joshua-ingram-player)\n\n1.4\n\n![LEH"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401856436/miami-oh-smu",
      "title": "Miami (OH) vs. SMU (Mar 18, 2026) Live Score - ESPN",
      "snippet": "Live coverage of the Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. SMU Mustangs NCAAM game on ESPN, including live score, highlights and updated stats."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/what-to-watch-miami-ohio-goes-for-first-four-win-after-its-only-loss-of-the-season-130409268.html",
      "title": "Miami (Ohio) goes for First Four win after its only loss of the season",
      "snippet": "The RedHawks were the only men's team to go undefeated during the regular season."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament-first-4-miami-oh-redhawks-vs-smu-mustangs-mar-18-2026-game-boxscore-264060?tab=boxscore",
      "title": "Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. SMU Mustangs - March 18, 2026",
      "snippet": "A bet of $100 would win $343 total if Miami (OH) wins and a bet of $321 would win $421 total if SMU wins. +243. M-OH."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://smumustangs.com/news/2026/3/16/mens-basketball-ncaa-first-four-no-11-smu-vs-no-11-miami-oh-wednesday-8-10pm-ct.aspx",
      "title": "NCAA First Four: No. 11 SMU vs No. 11 Miami (OH) - SMU Athletics",
      "snippet": "No. 11 SMU (20-13) vs No. 11 Miami (OH) (31-1) NCAA Tournament – First Four UD Arena – Dayton, Ohio Wednesday, March 18, 2026 – 9:10 p.m. ET ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.facebook.com/usatodaysports/photos/the-no-11-smu-mustangs-face-the-no-11-miami-oh-redhawks-in-the-first-four-of-the/1498353351650474/",
      "title": "USA - Facebook",
      "snippet": "The No. 11 SMU Mustangs face the No. 11 Miami (OH) RedHawks in the First Four of the NCAA Men's Tournament. Here's how to see all the action ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "url": "https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401856436/miami-oh-smu"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Duke injuries Caleb Foster Patrick Ngongba status"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "content": "![](<Base64-Image-Removed>)\n\nSkip to main contentSkip to navigation\n\nTop EventsNCAAMNCAAWNBANHLPGA TourLPGA TourTGLTop SoccerMLBWorld Baseball ClassicTennis (M)Tennis (W)NFLNASCARNCAAFUFCNLL (Lacrosse)PLL (Lacrosse)F1Men's NCAA Ice HockeyWomen's NCAA Ice HockeyNCAA SoftballNCAA BaseballMen's NCAA LacrosseWomen's NCAA LacrossecustomUEFA Champions LeagueWomen's Super LeagueConcacaf Champions CupLiga MXNCAAM\n\nMar 17Mar 18Mar 19Mar 18\n\n[Gamecast](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401856437/prairie-view-lehigh) [Tickets](https://www.vividseats.com/ncaa-mens-basketball-tournament-tickets-university-of-dayton-arena-3-18-2026--sports-ncaa-basketball/production/5687680?wsUser=717&wsVar=us~NCAAM~scoreboard,NCAAM,en)\n\n- 16\n\n\n\n\n\nPV\n\n\n\n\n\n18-17\n\n- 16\n\n\n\n\n\nLEH\n\n\n\n\n\n18-16\n\n\n6:40 PM\n\ntruTV\n\n[Full Scoreboard »](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard)\n\n# SMU Mustangs vs Miami (OH) RedHawks\n\nNCAA Men's Basketball Championship - Midwest Region - First Four\n\n[![M-OH](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/193.png)](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/193/miami-oh-redhawks)\n\n11\n\n[Miami (OH) RedHawksMiami OHM-OH](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/193/miami-oh-redhawks)\n\n31-1\n\n9:15 PM\n\nSMU -7.5\n\ntruTV\n\n[![SMU](https://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2567.png)](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2567/smu-mustangs)\n\n11\n\n[SMU MustangsSMUSMU](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2567/smu-mustangs)\n\n20-13\n\n25.5\n\n%\n\nM-OH\n\n74.5\n\n%\n\nSMU\n\n[According to ESPN Analytics](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bpi)\n\n## Game Information\n\n#### 9:15 PM, March 18, 2026\n\n#### UD Arena\n\nDayton, OH\n\n![UD Arena](https://a.espncdn.com/i/venues/mens-college-basketball/day/2039.jpg)\n\n#### Where to Watch\n\ntruTV\n\n![UD Arena](https://a.espncdn.com/i/venues/mens-college-basketball/day/2039.jpg)\n\n### Video Highlights\n\n- ![](https://media.video-cdn.espn.com/motion/2026/0316/dm_260316_mustsmu/dm_260316_mustsmu.jpg)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0:41\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n## SMU Mustangs' NCAA men's tournament preview\n\n- ![](https://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2026/0316/dm_260316_ncb_lunardi_miamioh/dm_260316_ncb_lunardi_miamioh.jpg)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0:39\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n## Miami (Ohio) NCAA tournament preview\n\n- ![](https://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/wsc/2026/0315/00789bef-3ce2-4ec3-a55f-efc5f296312d/00789bef-3ce2-4ec3-a55f-efc5f296312d.jpg)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1:45\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n## Why Jay Bilas believes Miami (OH) should've avoided the First Four\n\n\n[**SMU Mustangs and Miami (OH) RedHawks square off in the First 4** \\\\\n\\\\\nMiami (OH) RedHawks (31-1, 18-1 MAC) vs. SMU Mustangs (20-13, 9-11 ACC)\\\\\n\\\\\nMar 18, 2026, 04:48 am - Data Skrive](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/preview/_/gameId/401856436)\n\nGame Odds\n\nOdds by![draftkings](https://a.espncdn.com/i/betting/Draftkings_Light.svg)\n\n9:15 PMOpenSpreadTotalML\n\n[Miami (OH) RedHawksM-OHM-OH](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/193/miami-oh-redhawks)\n\n(31-1)\n\n(31-1, 14-0 Away)\n\n-7.5\n\n-110\n\n[+7.5\\\\\n\\\\\n-110](https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/gateway?s=638763911&wpcid=426243&wpsrc=413&wpcn=ESPN&wpscn=Widget&wpcrn=BetSlipDeepLink&wpscid=Desktop&wpcrid=xx&preurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fevent%2F33823558%3Foutcomes%3D0HC83888235P750_3&channel=espn-web&campaign=betting-integrations&tags=pageTemplate%3Agame&tags=league%3Amens-college-basketball&tags=sport%3Abasketball&tags=gameId%3A401856436&tags=betSide%3Anone&tags=betType%3Astraight&tags=betDetails%3ASpread%3AM-OH%2B7.5&~customer_campaign=Six-Pack) [o161.5\\\\\n\\\\\n-110](https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/gateway?s=638763911&wpcid=426243&wpsrc=413&wpcn=ESPN&wpscn=Widget&wpcrn=BetSlipDeepLink&wpscid=Desktop&wpcrid=xx&preurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fevent%2F33823558%3Foutcomes%3D0OU83888235O16150_1&channel=espn-web&campaign=betting-integrations&tags=pageTemplate%3Agame&tags=league%3Amens-college-basketball&tags=sport%3Abasketball&tags=gameId%3A401856436"
}

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  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
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{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/main/87760/ngongba-and-foster-injury-updates",
      "title": "Ngongba And Foster Injury Updates - Duke Basketball Report",
      "snippet": "Jon Scheyer told Brendan Marks of the Athletic that “Pat is working his butt off every day. He took another really good step with our medical ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/duke-insider-ncaa-tournament-injury-update-caleb-foster-11693837",
      "title": "Duke: Insider Drops Crushing NCAA Tournament Injury Update on ...",
      "snippet": "Point guard Caleb Foster's fractured right foot is considered more troubling than Ngongba's foot issue. Scheyer suggested earlier in the month ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/caleb-foster-injury-updates-duke-134753743.html",
      "title": "Caleb Foster injury updates: Will Duke star play in 2026 March ...",
      "snippet": "The NCAA Tournament ends less than one month after Foster underwent surgery, so it's tough to expect him back on the court at 100 percent health ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2026/03/15/caleb-foster-patrick-ngongba-injury-update-duke-basketball-jon-scheyer/89086462007/",
      "title": "Jon Scheyer shares injury update on Caleb Foster, Patrick Ngongba ...",
      "snippet": "\"Caleb is going to be a little while still,\" Scheyer said on March 15. \"Again, he's progressing well. As far as Pat goes, I think he's been ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article315059036.html",
      "title": "Duke basketball injury update for March Madness tournament",
      "snippet": "Ngongba has been progressing with his therapy, but still remains day-to-day, Scheyer said Saturday night. “He's been doing his therapy, working ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Santa Clara Kentucky upset prediction analysis matchup"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament VCU North Carolina upset prediction analysis"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.aseaofblue.com/kentucky-wildcats-basketball/166616/jay-bilas-predictions-every-ncaa-tournament-game",
      "title": "ESPN analyst Jay Bilas predicts every NCAA Tournament game",
      "snippet": "ESPN analyst Jay Bilas has Kentucky advancing past Santa Clara before falling to Iowa State. by chrisbeasmore. Mar 17, 2026, 4:22 AM PDT."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtiOTKLHz8c&vl=ar",
      "title": "Kentucky vs. Santa Clara PREDICTION | 2026 NCAA Tournament ...",
      "snippet": "Blake Lovell and Max Barr preview Kentucky vs. Santa Clara in the 2026 NCAA Tournament first round game in the Midwest Region and share ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfa9j_slRYw",
      "title": "'Kentucky-Santa Clara might be the MOST exciting First Round ...",
      "snippet": "With His NCAA Tournament Analysis. Stephen A ... Expert Matt Norlander fills out his bracket | 2026 NCAA TOURNAMENT PREDICTIONS & ADVICE."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/2026/03/16/kentucky-santa-clara-picks-predictions-odds-march-madness-ncaa-tournament/88420304007/",
      "title": "Kentucky vs Santa Clara picks, predictions, odds for March Madness",
      "snippet": "It writes: \"After extensive simulations, our model gives Santa Clara a win probability of 40%, while Kentucky has a win probability of 60%.\" How ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/santa-clara-vs-kentucky-odds-prediction-2026-ncaa-tournament-picks-from-proven-model/",
      "title": "Santa Clara vs. Kentucky odds, prediction: 2026 NCAA Tournament ...",
      "snippet": "Kentucky is a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Santa Clara vs. Kentucky odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/11-vs-6-upset-rankings-vcu-more-than-capable-of-handing-north-carolina-second-straight-first-round-loss/",
      "title": "11 vs. 6 upset rankings: Potential NCAA Tournament bracket busters",
      "snippet": "11 vs. 6 upset rankings: VCU more than capable of handing North Carolina second straight first-round loss. By Matt Severance."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/2026-march-madness-odds-predictions-200409323.html",
      "title": "Breakdown of First Round in the South Region - UNC on Upset Alert",
      "snippet": "2026 NCAA Tournament: A bet from every First Round Game in the South Region."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://collegefootballnews.com/college-basketball/north-carolina-vs-vcu-prediction-preview-ncaa-tournament-first-round",
      "title": "North Carolina vs VCU Prediction and Preview: NCAA Tournament ...",
      "snippet": "North Carolina is on first round upset alert against a dangerous VCU team. Here's the CFN prediction and preview."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.si.com/college-basketball/march-madness-brackets-expert-predictions-first-round-upsets-2026-mens-ncaa-tournament",
      "title": "March Madness Brackets: Expert Predictions for First-Round Upsets ...",
      "snippet": "The oddsmakers in Las Vegas also have this one close, with North Carolina just 2.5-point favorites over VCU. In addition to VCU, the trio of SI ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026",
      "title": "Most probable first-round upsets in the men's 2026 NCAA tournament",
      "snippet": "(11) VCU vs. (6) North Carolina. Upset chance: 39% 6:50 p.m. ET on Thursday. North Carolina's ceiling is significantly lower with star ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "url": "https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament South Florida Louisville upset prediction analysis seed 11 seed 6"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "content": "Skip to main content\n\nSkip to navigation\n\n\nTop Events\n\nNCAAM\n\nNCAAW\n\nNBA\n\nNHL\n\nPGA Tour\n\nLPGA Tour\n\nTGL\n\nTop Soccer\n\nMLB\n\nWorld Baseball Classic\n\nTennis (M)\n\nTennis (W)\n\nNFL\n\nNASCAR\n\nNCAAF\n\nUFC\n\nNLL (Lacrosse)\n\nPLL (Lacrosse)\n\nF1\n\nMen's NCAA Ice Hockey\n\nWomen's NCAA Ice Hockey\n\nNCAA Softball\n\nNCAA Baseball\n\nMen's NCAA Lacrosse\n\nWomen's NCAA Lacrosse\n\ncustom\n\nUEFA Champions League\n\nWomen's Super League\n\nConcacaf Champions Cup\n\nLiga MX\n\nNCAAM\n\n- [Top Events](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [NCAAM](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [NCAAW](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [NBA](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [NHL](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [PGA Tour](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [LPGA Tour](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [TGL](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [Top Soccer](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [MLB](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [World Baseball Classic](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [Tennis (M)](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [Tennis (W)](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [NFL](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [NASCAR](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [NCAAF](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [UFC](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [NLL (Lacrosse)](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [PLL (Lacrosse)](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [F1](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [Men's NCAA Ice Hockey](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [Women's NCAA Ice Hockey](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [NCAA Softball](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-killers-march-madness-2026#)\n- [NCAA Baseball](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48223542/ncaa-tournament-upsets-first-round-giant-kille"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
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  }
}

{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/south-florida-star-refuses-believe-031202320.html",
      "title": "South Florida star refuses to believe Bulls are the underdog vs ...",
      "snippet": "South Florida star guard Wes Enis explained why he doesn't have the underdog mentality going into the first-round game against Louisville."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2026/03/15/south-florida-basketball-upset-prediction-louisville-march-madness/89172061007/",
      "title": "South Florida basketball picked to upset Louisville in March Madness",
      "snippet": "Not even half of the brackets were announced before South Florida became a chic pick to pull off an upset in the 2026 men's NCAA tournament."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2026/03/17/march-madness-predictions-most-likely-upsets-ncaa-tournament-2026-first-round/89188373007/",
      "title": "March Madness upset predictions: Ranking most likely first round ...",
      "snippet": "Ranking 8 most likely March Madness upsets in NCAA Tournament first round · 1. No. 11 South Florida over No. 6 Louisville · 2. No. 11 VCU over No."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://nationaltoday.com/us/ky/louisville/news/2026/03/16/louisville-faces-upset-alert-against-south-florida-in-ncaa-tournament/",
      "title": "Louisville Faces Upset Alert Against South Florida in NCAA ...",
      "snippet": "The Bulls are a popular upset pick, with experts like ESPN's Jay Bilas and NBC Sports' John Fanta predicting they can take down the Cardinals."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.si.com/college/louisville/basketball/mbb-2026-ncaat-draw",
      "title": "Louisville Earns No. 6 Seed for NCAA Tournament, Draws USF in ...",
      "snippet": "The Cardinals (23-10) received a No. 6 seed for the tournament, and will start their run in the Big Dance against 11-seeded South Florida on ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
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      "type": "direct"
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{
  "url": "https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2026/03/17/march-madness-predictions-most-likely-upsets-ncaa-tournament-2026-first-round/89188373007/"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament High Point Wisconsin upset analysis KenPom 12 seed 5 seed West"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "content": "[Close](https://www.usatoday.com/sports/) [Close](https://www.usatoday.com/sports/)\n\n[MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL](https://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaab/)\n\nNCAA Men's Basketball Tournament\n\nAdd Topic\n\n# Ranking 8 most likely March Madness upsets in NCAA Tournament first round\n\n[![Portrait of Craig Meyer](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2023/10/31/PNAS/71396946007-craig-meyer.png?crop=750,750,x334,y236&width=48&height=48&format=pjpg&auto=webp) Craig Meyer](https://www.usatoday.com/staff/8378342001/craig-meyer/)\n\nUSA TODAY NETWORK\n\nMarch 17, 2026Updated March 18, 2026, 11:56 a.m. ET\n\nHear this story\n\n[Share to Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?display=popup&app_id=1279862243338849&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fncaab%2F2026%2F03%2F17%2Fmarch-madness-predictions-most-likely-upsets-ncaa-tournament-2026-first-round%2F89188373007%2F)[Share to Twitter](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fncaab%2F2026%2F03%2F17%2Fmarch-madness-predictions-most-likely-upsets-ncaa-tournament-2026-first-round%2F89188373007%2F&text=Ranking%208%20most%20likely%20March%20Madness%20upsets%20in%20NCAA%20Tournament%20first%20round&via=usatoday)[Share by email](mailto:?subject=Ranking%208%20most%20likely%20March%20Madness%20upsets%20in%20NCAA%20Tournament%20first%20round%20-%20from%20USA%20TODAY&body=Ranking%208%20most%20likely%20March%20Madness%20upsets%20in%20NCAA%20Tournament%20first%20round%0A%0AWhile%20you%20fill%20out%20your%202026%20NCAA%20Tournament%20bracket%2C%20here%27s%20a%20look%20at%20the%20eight%20most%20likely%20March%20Madness%20upset%20predictions%20in%20the%20first%20round.%0A%0ACheck%20out%20this%20story%20on%20usatoday.com%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fncaab%2F2026%2F03%2F17%2Fmarch-madness-predictions-most-likely-upsets-ncaa-tournament-2026-first-round%2F89188373007%2F)\n\nThere’s nothing — not even the champion who cuts down the nets on the first Monday night of April — that defines the [Men’s NCAA basketball Tournament](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/tourney/2026/03/16/march-madness-bracket-predictions-ncaa-tournament-2026-expert-picks/89170127007/) quite like an upset.\n\nThe 68-team event is designed to set aside spots for teams from the smallest schools and conferences in the sport and give them an opportunity to take on some of college basketball’s biggest juggernauts on the brightest stage the sport has to offer.\n\nWhile a healthy percentage of those games are blowouts, others produce the kinds of results and moments that are only possible in [March Madness](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2026/03/16/march-madness-predictions-upset-picks-final-four-ncaa-tournament-bracket-2026/89064207007/). Over these next three weeks, [Cinderella stories](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/tourney/2026/03/16/march-madness-predictions-upset-picks-ncaa-tournament-cinderella-vcu-santa-clara/89176697007/) will be crafted and [unlikely heroes will emerge](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2026/03/16/march-madness-ncaa-tournament-basketball-heroes-breakout-stars-where-are-they-now/89028516007/).\n\nOne of the many quandaries facing the millions of people filling out brackets across the country ahead of the [2026 NCAA Tournament](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/tourney/2026/03/16/march-madness-predictions-tips-fill-out-bracket-ncaa-tournament-pool/89118686007/) this week are identifying those underdogs and trying to correctly guess what seemingly overmatched teams will topple their favored opponents.\n\n[View Gallery - March Madness bracket busters eye the next big upset](https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/sports/ncaab/2026/03/16/march-madness-upset-predictions-bracket-busters-ncaa-tournament/89182181007/)\n\nTo help with that task, and to offer up some advice that surely won’t backfire, here’s a look at the eight most likely upsets for the 2026 NCAA Tournament:\n\n## March Madne"
}

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{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-mens-basketball/89263/wisconsin-badgers-basketball-news-likeliest-12-seed-upset-high-point-panthers-ncaa-tournament-odds",
      "title": "ESPN: Badgers are the likeliest 12 seed to get upset",
      "snippet": "The Wisconsin Badgers drew a No. 5 seed for the second time in three years in the NCAA Tournament, as they'll play the No. 12 High Point ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.si.com/college/wisconsin/basketball/wisconsin-vs-high-point-breakdown-3-ways-the-badgers-can-beat-the-panthers",
      "title": "Wisconsin vs. High Point Breakdown: 3 Ways the Badgers Can Beat ...",
      "snippet": "The No. 5 seed Wisconsin Badgers (24-10) will head West for the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, facing the High Point Panthers, ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.bracketbustershoops.com/p/2026-ncaa-tournament-west-region",
      "title": "2026 NCAA Tournament West Region Breakdown - Bracket Busters",
      "snippet": "Can Hawaii's 'no help' defense slow Arkansas? Will High Point bust Wisconsin? Your complete 2026 NCAA Tournament West Region mid-major breakdown ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2026/03/17/will-wisconsin-get-upset-in-march-madness/89194779007/",
      "title": "Is Wisconsin a trendy March Madness upset pick vs High Point?",
      "snippet": "Wisconsin heads into the NCAA Tournament on March 19 facing a high-scoring High Point team that's looking like a trendy upset pick."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://captimes.com/sports/badgers-not-taking-12-seed-high-point-lightly-in-big-dance/article_3ad439a3-adad-4e54-bd27-e9d90bb10766.html",
      "title": "Badgers not taking 12-seed High Point lightly in Big Dance | Sports",
      "snippet": "The No. 5 seed Wisconsin Badgers drew No. 12 seed High Point in the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Tip-off is 12:50 p.m. ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
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{
  "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-west-region-bracket-preview/"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament TCU Ohio State game analysis prediction matchup"
}

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  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
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{
  "content": "site: media \\| arena: collegebasketball \\| pageType: stories \\|\nsection: \\| slug: 2026-ncaa-tournament-west-region-bracket-preview \\| sport: collegebasketball \\| route: article\\_single.us \\|\n6-keys: media/spln/collegebasketball/reg/free/stories\n\n[Skip to Main Content](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-west-region-bracket-preview/#page-content)\n\nClose\n\nSign in with your TV provider\n\nIf not listed, please contact your TV provider.\n\n![[object Object] Logo](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2020/04/22/e9ceb731-8b3f-4c60-98fe-090ab66a2997/screen-shot-2020-04-22-at-11-04-56-am.png)\n\nAll ProvidersXfinity\n\n# 2026 NCAA Tournament West Region bracket preview: Predictions, sleepers, players to watch\n\n## Arizona headlines a West Region featuring Purdue's elite offense, Gonzaga's postseason pedigree and a potential breakout star in BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa.\n\n[![            Cameron Salerno     ](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2023/08/21/2af24645-837e-4c0a-ad59-81e93700414e/thumbnail/80x80/5d5f2c449ed8610c9e9bbee2bc365fdf/salerno-700.png)](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/cameron-salerno/)\n\nBy\n[Cameron Salerno](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/cameron-salerno/)\n\n\nMar 16, 2026\n\nat\n\n10:53 am ET\n•\n7 min read\n\n\n![img-5052.jpg](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2026/03/16/3082e162-be82-49ec-bc6a-1bfaac22ceac/thumbnail/770x433/4ef33cb867e0be34fb4da36f1cc9d90a/img-5052.jpg)CBS Sports\n\n[Arizona](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/ARIZ/arizona-wildcats/) enters the [2026 NCAA Tournament bracket](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-bracket-2026-printable-mens-ncaa-tournament/) as the No. 1 seed in the West Region, and the Wildcats might have the clearest path yet to ending one of the sport's longest Final Four droughts.\n\nTommy Lloyd's team capped a dominant season by defeating Houston in the Big 12 title game and now leads a region loaded with offensive firepower. No. 2 seed [Purdue](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/PURDUE/purdue-boilermakers/) surged onto the top line with a Big Ten Tournament title, while No. 3 seed [Gonzaga](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/GONZAG/gonzaga-bulldogs/) once again lurks as a dangerous postseason threat and No. 4 seed [Arkansas](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/ARK/arkansas-razorbacks/) \\-\\- under John Calipari -- has the guard play, led by freshman [Darius Acuff Jr.](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/29106338/darius-acuff-jr/), to make a deep run.\n\nBut the most electrifying player in this region may belong to No. 6 seed [BYU](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/BYU/byu-cougars/). Freshman star [AJ Dybantsa](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/50027666/aj-dybantsa/), the nation's leading scorer and a potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 [NBA Draft](https://cbssports.com/nba/draft/), is capable of carrying the Cougars on the type of March heater that can turn a region upside down.\n\n**_[March Madness](https://cbssports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament/) ® is better with friends, especially when you beat them!_** [**_Get your bracket pools ready now_**](https://picks.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament/bracket?ftag=CBS-03-10adj4j) **_and invite your friends, family and co-workers to play._**\n\nWith star power across the top seeds and several intriguing upset candidates deeper in the bracket, the West could produce some of the most entertaining matchups of the opening weekend.\n\nHere's a complete look at the West Region ahead of this week's action. Here's a complete look at the West Regional ahead of this week's action.\n\n## Best first-round game\n\n**(6) BYU vs. (11) Texas/NC State:** Normally, the best matchup in [March Madness](https://cbssports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament/) is the 8-9 game, but the 6-11 game has plenty of intrigue no matter who wins in the First Four. [Texas](https://www.cbssports.com/col"
}

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      "type": "direct"
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{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/2026/03/16/ohio-state-tcu-picks-predictions-odds-march-madness-ncaa-tournament/88419219007/",
      "title": "Ohio State vs TCU picks, predictions, odds for March Madness ...",
      "snippet": "ESPN: Ohio State has a 65.4% chance to beat TCU. The site gives the Horned Frogs a 34.6% shot at defeating the Buckeyes in the NCAA Tournament ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXw7yqQua0g",
      "title": "NCAA Tournament Preview: Is TCU A Good Matchup For Ohio State?",
      "snippet": "The Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team will tip off the 2026 NCAA Tournament Thursday afternoon against the TCU Horned Frogs."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/tcu-vs-ohio-state-high-170000778.html",
      "title": "TCU vs Ohio State: A High-Stakes Matchup to Kick Off March Madness",
      "snippet": "The first game of the NCAA Tournament brings instant pressure as TCU and Ohio State meet in a true toss-up matchup."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.covers.com/ncaab/march-madness/tcu-vs-ohio-state-predictions-picks-odds-thursday-3-19-2026",
      "title": "TCU vs Ohio State Prediction, Picks & Odds for Thursday's March ...",
      "snippet": "TCU: The spread and game projections are all drum tight for what should be one of the closer Round 1 battles. I took the points with the TCU ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2026/03/17/jay-bilas-march-madness-ohio-state-tcu-predictions/89192740007/",
      "title": "Jay Bilas predicts Ohio State will lose in March Madness first round",
      "snippet": "ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas predicts that TCU will beat Ohio State in the NCAA. Ohio State is a 2.5-point favorite over TCU, per ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "query": "2026 March Madness Final Four predictions Duke Arizona Florida Michigan championship"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Missouri Tigers Miami Hurricanes upset game 15 seed analysis"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7123628/2026/03/17/march-madness-expert-bracket-picks-duke-champion/",
      "title": "Expert picks for the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket: Why Brendan ...",
      "snippet": "Expert picks for the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket: Why Brendan Marks has Duke winning it all ... Four from 2026 Men's March Madness. Let's ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/48216458/espn-ncaa-tournament-men-national-championship-final-four-elite-eight-teams",
      "title": "Men's NCAA Tournament odds: Duke, Michigan, Arizona among the ...",
      "snippet": "Sign up now to play the #1 Men's bracket game for FREE! $125,000 in ... 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament Odds. (Seed) ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rykXv3xU3o8",
      "title": "Five LOCKS to make the Sweet 16 | 2026 NCAA Tournament ...",
      "snippet": "2026 March Madness BRACKET PREDICTIONS | NCAA Tournament. Odds Shark ... Biggest concern for EVERY 1 seed in NCAA Tournament | Duke, Florida, ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://collegefootballnews.com/college-basketball/meet-ncaa-tournament-2026-no-1-seeds-arizona-duke-florida-michigan",
      "title": "Meet the NCAA Tournament No. 1 Seeds: Arizona, Duke, Florida",
      "snippet": "Arizona, Duke, Florida, and Michigan will almost certainly be the 2026 ... NCAA Tournament Bracket Projection: Final Picks Before Selection..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/breaking-news/article/march-madness-bracket-west-region-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144511208.html",
      "title": "March Madness bracket: West region predictions, Cinderella, expert ...",
      "snippet": "... NCAA tournament. Yahoo Sports · 2026 March Madness bracket odds: Best, worst tournament teams against the spread. The Penn Quakers are the best ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
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{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.si.com/college/missouri/basketball/instant-reaction-to-mizzou-seeding-matchup-in-2026-ncaa-tournament",
      "title": "Instant Reaction to Mizzou's Seeding, Matchup in 2026 NCAA ...",
      "snippet": "This should give Missouri a huge lift to potentially pull off an upset. Missouri has been a streaky and somewhat inconsistent team this season."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/challenges-miami-presents-mizzou-round-110005452.html",
      "title": "The Challenges Miami Presents to Mizzou in Round 1 of March ...",
      "snippet": "The Tigers face No. 7 seed Miami, a team that finished third in the ACC in 2026 with a 25-8 overall record and a 13-5 conference record."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9SvnkEZVl8",
      "title": "Discussing Mizzou's NCAA Tournament seed, path and ... - YouTube",
      "snippet": "KCTV's Mark Poulose and Gabe Swartz discuss Missouri's NCAA Tournament seed, matchup and more. For more Local News from KCTV: ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://lastwordonsports.com/basketball/2026/03/17/ncaa-tournament-home-court-mizzou-tigers-miami-hurricanes/",
      "title": "NCAA Tournament Home Court: Mizzou's Loophole Tests Miami",
      "snippet": "The Miami Hurricanes earned the better seed but lost NCAA Tournament home court advantage to the 10th-seeded Missouri Tigers."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://caneswarning.com/missouri-got-the-ncaa-tournament-s-sweetest-deal-and-miami-will-have-to-overcome-it",
      "title": "Missouri got the NCAA tournament's sweetest deal and Miami will ...",
      "snippet": "Missouri got the NCAA tournament's sweetest deal and Miami will have to overcome it. Missouri landed a No. 10 seed and a first-round date with ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament UCF UCLA game analysis prediction matchup 7 vs 10"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "query": "AJ Dybantsa BYU freshman NBA draft potential March Madness 2026 tournament"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/sports/college/ucf/2026/03/17/ncaa-tournament-march-madness-jay-bilas-ucla-ucf-prediction/89193108007/",
      "title": "NCAA March Madness: Jay Bilas prediction for UCLA-UCF game ...",
      "snippet": "ESPN analyst Jay Bilas predicts UCF will defeat UCLA in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The Knights, a No. 10 seed, are matched ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ucla-ucf-pick-7-vs-191500092.html",
      "title": "UCLA or UCF? How to pick 7 vs. 10 matchup in 2026 March ...",
      "snippet": "Here is a complete guide to picking No. 7 UCLA and No. 10 UCF in your 2026 March Madness bracket, including updated odds and our expert ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://vsin.com/college-basketball/ucla-vs-ucf-ncaa-tournament-east-region-no-7-vs-no-10-march-madness-preview/",
      "title": "March Madness Picks: UCLA vs. UCF Prediction - VSiN",
      "snippet": "7 vs. No. 10 March Madness Preview. A preview and prediction for UCLA vs. UCF in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.sling.com/whatson/sports/college-basketball/how-to-watch-ucla-ucf-march-madness",
      "title": "#7 UCLA vs. #10 UCF Prediction, Odds, & How to Watch: March ...",
      "snippet": "Final Score Prediction: UCLA 79, UCF 72. Best Bet: UCLA -5.5. Frequently Asked Questions. Who is the favorite in the game between Bruins vs ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://dailybruin.com/2026/03/16/ucla-mens-basketball-march-madness-predictions-2026",
      "title": "UCLA men's basketball March Madness predictions 2026 - Daily Bruin",
      "snippet": "7 seed UCLA men's basketball (23-11, 13-7 Big Ten) will face No. 10 seed UCF (21-11, 9-9 Big 12) in the Round of 64 on Friday night at the ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://kutv.com/sports/byu/march-of-the-freshmen-ncaa-tournament-is-loaded-with-top-nba-prospects",
      "title": "March of the freshmen: NCAA Tournament is loaded with ...",
      "snippet": "... NCAA Tournament · Freshmen · NBA prospects · AJ Dybantsa · Darius Acuff · March Madness · College basketball · NBA draft. AP — It was early in ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/byu-shares-major-aj-dybantsa-220300894.html",
      "title": "BYU Shares Major AJ Dybantsa News Before NCAA ...",
      "snippet": "March Madness: 5 top NBA Draft prospects you won't see in the NCAA tournament."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2026-nba-mock-draft-byu-aj-dybantsa-kansas-darryn-peterson-duke-cameron-boozer/",
      "title": "2026 NBA Mock Draft: BYU's AJ Dybantsa goes No. 1 ...",
      "snippet": "NCAA Tournament · Bracket Games · Live Bracket · Printable Bracket ... Why AJ Dybantsa Will Be Must See In March Madness (1:24). Share. Share ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.basketballnetwork.net/college/aj-dybantsa-says-he-and-byu-are-ready-for-march-madness",
      "title": "AJ Dybantsa says he and BYU are ready for March Madness",
      "snippet": "AJ Dybantsa says he and BYU are ready for March Madness: “We're about perseverance, resilience”. The Cougars enter the NCAA Tournament as the ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8vN0OOKxNw",
      "title": "AJ Dybantsa Sets Big 12 Tournament Freshman Record in ...",
      "snippet": "1.3K views · 10:12. Go to channel March Madness · Texas vs. NC State - First Four NCAA tournament extended highlights. March Madness. New. 30K ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
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{
  "query": "BYU AJ Dybantsa injury status NCAA tournament 2026"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Vanderbilt McNeese Cowboys prediction 5 vs 12 South region"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/freshman-star-aj-dybantsa-lead-030001335.html",
      "title": "Can freshman star AJ Dybantsa lead surging BYU on a lengthy ...",
      "snippet": "Cougars' play the past few weeks has revived hopes in Provo that the up-and-down team can make a long NCAA Tournament run in 2026."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/byu-receives-big-aj-dybantsa-news-ahead-of-march-madness-11692191",
      "title": "BYU Receives Big AJ Dybantsa News Ahead of March Madness",
      "snippet": "BYU features dynamic player AJ Dybantsa, who absolutely went off during his recent games in the Big 12 Tournament. Dybantsa and BYU didn't ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.facebook.com/KSLSportsCom/posts/byu-basketball-star-aj-dybantsa-shares-his-reaction-to-the-cougars-receiving-a-6/1794609351668243/",
      "title": "BYU basketball star AJ Dybantsa shares his reaction to the Cougars ...",
      "snippet": "BYU basketball star AJ Dybantsa shares his reaction to the Cougars receiving a 6-seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://athlonsports.com/college-basketball/byu-shares-major-aj-dybantsa-news-before-ncaa-tournament",
      "title": "BYU Shares Major AJ Dybantsa News Before NCAA Tournament",
      "snippet": "BYU Shares Major AJ Dybantsa News Before NCAA Tournament. BYU star freshman AJ Dybantsa earned a major honor before the NCAA Tournament. Mar 17, ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMSEHw0ugxI",
      "title": "AJ Dybantsa reacts to BYU basketball's 2026 NCAA Tournament draw",
      "snippet": "BYU Basketball star AJ Dybantsa spoke with reporters on Selection Sunday, March 15, 2026, moments after BYU found out they received a 6-seed ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/vanderbilt-mcneese-pick-5-vs-174200294.html",
      "title": "Vanderbilt or McNeese? How to pick 5 vs. 12 matchup in 2026 ...",
      "snippet": "5 Vanderbilt and No. 12 McNeese in your 2026 March Madness bracket, including updated odds and our expert predictions for the South Region game."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://collegefootballnews.com/college-basketball/vanderbilt-vs-mcneese-prediction-preview-ncaa-tournament-first-round",
      "title": "Vanderbilt vs McNeese Prediction and Preview: NCAA Tournament ...",
      "snippet": "Both Vanderbilt and McNeese like to run and get the offense moving. Here's the CFN prediction and preview of a sure-thing fun 5-12 matchup."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://kdus1060.com/vanderbilt-vs-mcneese-prediction-ncaa-tournament-south-region-no-5-vs-no-12-march-madness-preview/",
      "title": "Vanderbilt vs. McNeese Prediction: NCAA Tournament South ...",
      "snippet": "In the No. 5 vs. No. 12 matchup in the NCAA Tournament South Region, Vanderbilt vs. McNeese is the first-round game on Thursday, ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2026/03/17/vanderbilt-basketball-jay-bilas-march-madness-prediction-ncaa-tournament/89196569007/",
      "title": "How far ESPN's Jay Bilas predicts Vanderbilt basketball in March ...",
      "snippet": "Bilas predicted every March Madness game and has picked Vanderbilt (26-8), a No. 5 seed in the South Region, to win first- and second-round ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVrs7ZOP4j0",
      "title": "Vanderbilt vs. McNeese PREDICTION | 2026 NCAA Tournament ...",
      "snippet": "Blake Lovell and Max Barr preview Vanderbilt vs. McNeese in the 2026 NCAA Tournament first round game in the South Region and share ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Alabama Hofstra game prediction seed 4 vs 13"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Texas Tech injury JT Toppin status Akron 12 seed"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-bbiIeQ0v0",
      "title": "Alabama vs. Hofstra PREDICTION | 2026 NCAA Tournament ...",
      "snippet": "Tournament first round game in the Midwest Region and share predictions for this highly anticipated matchup at Benchmark International Arena ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/2026/03/16/alabama-hofstra-picks-predictions-odds-march-madness-ncaa-tournament-game/88420621007/",
      "title": "Alabama vs Hofstra picks, predictions, odds for NCAA March Madness",
      "snippet": "ESPN: Alabama has a 90.1% chance to beat Hofstra. The site gives the Pride a 9.9% shot at defeating the Crimson Tide in the NCAA Tournament ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://rolltidewire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/crimson-tide/mens-basketball/2026/03/17/march-madness-alabama-basketball-hofstra-pride-preview/89183647007/",
      "title": "What to know about Hofstra entering NCAA Tournament first round",
      "snippet": "4 and No. 13 seeded teams. Following is everything you need to know about Alabama's first round NCAA Tournament opponent, Hofstra, which ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/behind-numbers-alabama-upset-hofstra-110041492.html",
      "title": "Behind the Numbers: Can Alabama Get Upset By Hofstra in March ...",
      "snippet": "However, matchups featuring the 4-seed and the 13th-seed are far from automatic. Historically, 13-seeds upset a 4-seed approximately 21% of the ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/alabama-hofstra-march-madness-bracket-pick/43faefac8ab67404817f182b",
      "title": "Alabama or Hofstra? How to pick 4 vs. 13 matchup in 2026 March ...",
      "snippet": "Alabama vs. Hofstra odds · Odds: Alabama -13.5 · Date: March 20, 2026 · Time: 3:15 p.m. ET · TV: TruTV · Arena: Benchmark International Arena, in ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/without-jt-toppin-texas-tech-sliding-into-5-vs-12-match-with-akron/",
      "title": "Without JT Toppin, Texas Tech sliding into 5 vs. 12 match with Akron",
      "snippet": "Starting forward LeJuan Watts (11.5 ppg, team-high 6.0 rebounds) also left the game with a foot injury. Texas Tech announced Saturday that ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.si.com/college/texas-tech/texas-tech-s-biggest-concerns-against-akron-in-march-madness-01kkwy053kh5",
      "title": "Texas Tech's Biggest Concerns Against Akron in March Madness",
      "snippet": "Defeating Akron will be no easy feat for the Red Raiders, who enter March Madness without All-American big man JT Toppin. Texas Tech's biggest ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.aol.com/articles/without-jt-toppin-texas-tech-012945733.html",
      "title": "Without JT Toppin, Texas Tech sliding into 5 vs. 12 match with Akron",
      "snippet": "Starting forward LeJuan Watts (11.5 ppg, team-high 6.0 rebounds) also left the game with a foot injury. Texas Tech announced Saturday that ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://nationaltoday.com/us/fl/tampa/news/2026/03/18/texas-tech-faces-akron-in-5-vs-12-ncaa-tournament-matchup/",
      "title": "Texas Tech Faces Akron in 5 vs. 12 NCAA Tournament Matchup",
      "snippet": "Texas Tech lost to Iowa State 75-53 in the Big 12 tournament quarterfinals on March 9, 2026. JT Toppin suffered a torn ACL on February 17, 2026."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygbDXXw_R0k",
      "title": "JT Toppin Has A Torn ACL | What Now For Texas Tech MBB?!",
      "snippet": "In today's video, host RC Maxfield discusses the devastating news for Texas Tech Men's Basketball that star forward JT Toppin has a torn ACL ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament expert Final Four picks consensus Duke Arizona Florida Michigan Iowa State"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Saint Mary's Texas AM game prediction 7 vs 10 South"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
  }
}

{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-bracket-region-by-region-predictions-cinderellas-expert-picks-odds-schedule-and-more-204524756.html",
      "title": "Region-by-region predictions, Cinderellas, expert picks, ...",
      "snippet": "Duke is the No. 1 overall seed after a 32-2 campaign that featured a 17-1 record in ACC play and a win over fellow No. 1 seed Michigan on a ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-bracket-picks-no-1-seeds-predicted/",
      "title": "2026 NCAA Tournament bracket expert picks: No. 1 seeds ...",
      "snippet": "Isaac Trotter: Consensus lays out the top 4. Duke, Michigan, Arizona and Florida are the top four teams in order on KenPom and Bart Torvik ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/tourney/2026/03/15/march-madness-predictions-final-four-picks-ncaa-tournament-2026/89119495007/",
      "title": "March Madness Final Four predictions to win 2026 NCAA ...",
      "snippet": "Duke is the No. 1 overall seed, but the Blue Devils got placed in a loaded region. That leaves Arizona as the frontrunner to win the national ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/48216458/espn-college-basketball-tournament-men-national-championship-odds",
      "title": "Men's NCAA Tournament odds: Duke, Michigan, Arizona ...",
      "snippet": "Duke is the favorite to cut down the nets with +360 odds (opened +330), followed closely by Michigan at +370 and Arizona (+380), with Florida ( ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.covers.com/ncaab/march-madness/score-predictions-every-game-first-round-2026",
      "title": "March Madness Picks: Score Predictions for Every First ...",
      "snippet": "Rohit Ponnaiya delivers game-by-game final score predictions for all 32 first round games for the 2026 edition of March Madness."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
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{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.statesman.com/sports/college/aggies/article/march-madness-prediction-tamu-st-marys-22079585.php",
      "title": "Texas A&M vs Saint Mary's prediction: 3 things to know about Gaels",
      "snippet": "MORE: Texas A&M basketball draws 10th seed in NCAA Tournament. The two opponents enter the matchup with completely different styles of play ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv5EOR5cdsY",
      "title": "Saint Mary's vs. Texas A&M PREDICTION | 2026 NCAA Tournament ...",
      "snippet": "Blake Lovell and Max Barr preview Saint Mary's vs. Texas A&M in the 2026 NCAA Tournament first round game in the South Region and share ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/march-madness-2026/12303/2026-ncaa-tournament-south-preview",
      "title": "2026 NCAA Tournament: South Preview | Banners On The Parkway",
      "snippet": "Best matchup: Saint Mary's vs. Texas A&M. The classic matchup of completely opposite styles. You know the antithesis to the Aggies' free ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/2026/03/16/saint-marys-texas-am-picks-predictions-odds-march-madness-ncaa-tournament/88419964007/",
      "title": "Saint Mary's vs Texas A&M picks, predictions for March Madness ...",
      "snippet": "ESPN: Saint Mary's has a 53.2% chance to beat Texas A&M​​ The site gives the Aggies a 46.8% shot at defeating the Gaels in the NCAA Tournament ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/espns-jay-bilas-predicts-texas-113050275.html",
      "title": "ESPN's Jay Bilas predicts Texas A&M vs. Saint Mary's in March ...",
      "snippet": "ESPN's Jay Bilas predicts that Saint Mary's won't have a lot of trouble against Texas A&M in the first round of the NCAA Tournament."
    }
  ]
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
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{
  "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-bracket-picks-no-1-seeds-predicted/"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Gonzaga Sweet 16 prediction path bracket West region"
}

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      "type": "direct"
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{
  "content": "site: media \\| arena: collegebasketball \\| pageType: stories \\|\nsection: \\| slug: 2026-ncaa-tournament-bracket-picks-no-1-seeds-predicted \\| sport: collegebasketball \\| route: article\\_single.us \\|\n6-keys: media/spln/collegebasketball/reg/free/stories\n\n[Skip to Main Content](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-bracket-picks-no-1-seeds-predicted/#page-content)\n\nClose\n\nSign in with your TV provider\n\nIf not listed, please contact your TV provider.\n\n![[object Object] Logo](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2020/04/22/e9ceb731-8b3f-4c60-98fe-090ab66a2997/screen-shot-2020-04-22-at-11-04-56-am.png)\n\nAll ProvidersXfinity\n\n# 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket expert picks: No. 1 seeds predicted before Selection Sunday show\n\n## Michigan has a lot on the line Sunday vs. Purdue in the Big Ten Championship\n\n[![            Cameron Salerno     ](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2023/08/21/2af24645-837e-4c0a-ad59-81e93700414e/thumbnail/80x80/5d5f2c449ed8610c9e9bbee2bc365fdf/salerno-700.png)](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/cameron-salerno/)\n\nBy\n[Cameron Salerno](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/cameron-salerno/)\n\n,\n[Chip Patterson](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/chip-patterson/)\n\n&\n[Isaac Trotter](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/isaac-trotter/)\n\n\nMar 15, 2026\n\nat\n\n9:16 am ET\n•\n4 min read\n\n\n![](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2026/03/15/58cfd4a3-8121-420e-9b2b-26c55a12fbb3/thumbnail/770x433/07bcc34f0acf2c6b53f8946b12ce3beb/yaxelmichiganbasketball.jpg)Getty Images\n\nAs the day breaks on Selection Sunday, three teams are \"locks\" to be a No. 1 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That would be Duke, Arizona and Michigan. All three have strong cases to be the No. 1 overall seed, but it appears that the Blue Devils have the inside track to be the first team to hear their name called [when the bracket is released](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/selection-sunday-2026-march-madness-bracket-reveal-show/).\n\nThe next talking point heading into Sunday -- outside of a historically weak bubble -- will be what team earns the final No. 1 seed alongside those three teams in the [2026 NCAA Tournament bracket.](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-bracket-2026-printable-mens-ncaa-tournament/) There are three teams in contention to join Duke, Michigan and Arizona. The team projected to be the final No. 1 seed is Florida, the reigning national champions.\n\nHouston and UConn will also be under consideration to be the final No. 1 seed.\n\n[College basketball conference tournaments 2026: Arkansas, Purdue clinch final auto bids to the NCAA Tournament\\\\\n\\\\\nCameron Salerno \\\\\n\\\\\n![College basketball conference tournaments 2026: Arkansas, Purdue clinch final auto bids to the NCAA Tournament](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2026/03/15/5e513a73-1532-4649-b891-ad0352d59815/thumbnail/270x152/45b736c289686920a92d28d5a362451d/untitled-design-256.png)](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-conference-tournaments-2026-schedule-results-automatic-bids-march-madness/)\n\nHow will the top line look when the [2026 March Madness bracket is revealed](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-bracket-2026-printable-mens-ncaa-tournament/)? We will find out when the full field of 68 is revealed Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on the [2026 NCAA Tournament Selection Show live on CBS.](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/selection-sunday-2026-march-madness-bracket-reveal-show/)\n\nKeep on reading for CBS Sports' latest Bracketology top seed projections along with a breakdown of how our college basketball experts would vote if they were members of the committee.\n\n## NCAA Tournament Bracketology projection\n\n_Here's how CBS Sports has projected the top four seeds in the NCAA Tournament. [Check out the complete Bracketology page here.](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/bracketology/)_\n\n| No. 1 seed | Record | NET | Q1 | WAB |\n| --- | --- | --- |"
}

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  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/breaking-news/article/march-madness-bracket-west-region-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144511208.html",
      "title": "March Madness bracket: West region predictions, Cinderella, expert ...",
      "snippet": "With the 2026 NCAA men's tournament upon us, here's everything you need to know about the West region."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/breaking-news/article/march-madness-west-region-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144511318.html",
      "title": "March Madness: West region predictions, Cinderella, expert picks ...",
      "snippet": "With the 2026 NCAA men's tournament upon us, here's everything you need to know about the West region."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2026/03/15/march-madness-bracket-ncaa-tournament-west-region-predictions/89117533007/",
      "title": "NCAA tournament 2026 West Region predictions for March Madness",
      "snippet": "Is this finally the year for Arizona? Purdue, Gonzaga and Arkansas may have something to say about this in March Madness' West Region."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.si.com/college/gonzaga/basketball/gonzaga-most-favorable-potential-matchups-ncaa-tournament",
      "title": "Gonzaga's most favorable potential matchups in the NCAA ...",
      "snippet": "14 Seed: Wright State Raiders ... Most bracketologists are lining Gonzaga up against UC-Irvine - the projected winner of the Big West - and while ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubUn3NPg1W0",
      "title": "The West Region - NCAA Tournament Full Bracket Breakdown!",
      "snippet": "Ik greg is doing the cutsie big 10 homer thing. But this makes no sense. If arizona is going out early its because wisconsin does the 20 3's ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
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{
  "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/breaking-news/article/march-madness-bracket-west-region-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144511208.html"
}

{
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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Illinois Houston South region path Final Four prediction"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
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{
  "content": "Advertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\n[17\\\\\n\\\\\nHOURS LEFT\\\\\n\\\\\n![](https://s.yimg.com/ba/images/9c465512eeec582cf7a7fcd1ea7142f6df38b20ec9cfbcf46b7f7a11811cc12e.png)\\\\\n\\\\\nThink you've got the perfect bracket? Prove it.\\\\\n\\\\\n$50k is on the line. Enter by 3/19\\\\\n\\\\\nFill Out Bracket](https://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/mens-basketball-bracket/register/createteam?ncid=100003769)\n\nTRENDING\n\n- [Play Bracket Mayhem](http://yahoofantasy.com/bracketmayhem)\n\n- [March Madness bracket picks](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-bracket-picks-cinderellas-upsets-final-four-predictions-and-more-for-the-ncaa-mens-and-womens-tournaments-134128076.html)\n\n- [Printable brackets](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/breaking-news/article/march-madness-printable-brackets-for-mens-and-womens-2026-ncaa-basketball-tournaments-141418306.html)\n\n- [About WNBA's new CBA and season](https://sports.yahoo.com/wnba/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-wnbas-new-cba-and-upcoming-season-173735615.html)\n\n- [No silver lining for USA](https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/world-baseball-classic-for-team-usa-juggernaut-offense-never-materializes-in-another-wbc-disappointment-075418149.html)\n\n\nStory by [![Yahoo Sports](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OY7XpdnJ.mnppEyjHIbScA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI2MjtoPTU2O2NmPXdlYnA-/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2021-02/d6cfeca0-6bdc-11eb-9fff-072dbeffa160)\\\\\n\\\\\n![Yahoo Sports](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0a6D8e9zyXYgoJ0vQZUUQw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI4ODtoPTU2O2NmPXdlYnA-/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2021-02/ca3e26a0-6bdc-11eb-b7ee-d9fd18161c81)](https://sports.yahoo.com/)\n\n[![](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/egYEcw4IsDThOZjDL.I1wQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTIxMDtoPTIxMDtjZj13ZWJw/https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fimage_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fo.aolcdn.com%252Fimages%252Fdims%253Fimage_uri%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fo.aolcdn.com%25252Fimages%25252Fdims%25253Fimage_uri%25253Dhttps%2525253A%2525252F%2525252Fs.yimg.com%2525252Fos%2525252Fcreatr-uploaded-images%2525252F2019-02%2525252Fc51f2780-3b70-11e9-bfbf-733751ce931b%252526compress%25253D1%252526progressive%25253D1%252526quality%25253D75%252526client%25253Dhawkeye%252526signature%25253Dd092d3756b63bc2c31c92e32916b4833725b7794%2526compress%253D1%2526progressive%253D1%2526quality%253D75%2526client%253Dhawkeye%2526signature%253Ddb62467eb4736c04d9054832a90b4af8a6e2d4fa%26compress%3D1%26progressive%3D1%26quality%3D75%26client%3Dhawkeye%26signature%3D21a69444967b6d022b98885e60b65557c113c0b8&compress=1&progressive=1&quality=75&client=hawkeye&signature=e94f82e643d4d29282d58410007504a387c13134)](https://sports.yahoo.com/author/nick-bromberg/)\n\n[Nick Bromberg](https://sports.yahoo.com/author/nick-bromberg/) Senior writer\n\nWed, March 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC·\n\n9 min read\n\nWith the [2026 NCAA men's tournament](https://sports.yahoo.com/college-basketball/topic/march-madness/) upon us, here's everything you need to know about the West region.\n\n**\\[More regional breakdowns:** [**East**](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-2026-east-region-bracket-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-watch-times-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144508183.html) **\\|** [**Midwest**](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-2026-midwest-region-bracket-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-watch-times-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144504989.html) **\\|** [**South**](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-2026-south-region-bracket-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-watch-times-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144500978.html) **\\]**\n\n## Who are the favorites?\n\n- Arizona ( [+400 to win the national title at BetMGM](https://mediaserver.betmgmpartners.com/renderBanner.do?zoneId=1734022))\n\n- Purdue (30-1)\n\n- Gonzaga (55-1)\n\n"
}

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{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-bracket-south-region-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144500974.html",
      "title": "South region predictions, Cinderella, expert picks, schedule, odds ...",
      "snippet": "March Madness bracket: South region predictions, Cinderella, expert picks, schedule, odds, betting lines and more - Yahoo Sports."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48219737/2026-men-ncaa-tournament-jay-bilas-predictions-bracket",
      "title": "Jay Bilas predicts every game of the 2026 NCAA tournament - ESPN",
      "snippet": "Illinois has the better offense, and Houston has the better defense. I am taking offense in this one, but it's an agonizing choice."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT6nt0YD25Y",
      "title": "March Madness South Region Bracket Preview, Picks - YouTube",
      "snippet": "March Madness South Region Bracket Preview, Picks: Florida, Houston, Illinois | 2026 NCAA Tournament · Comments."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.thechampaignroom.com/illinois-fighting-illini-basketball-news/52627/breaking-down-illinois-path-to-ncaa-tournament-final-four-fighting-illini-ncaa-big-ten-houston-florida",
      "title": "Breaking down Illinois' path to NCAA Tournament Final Four",
      "snippet": "My pick to win the South Regional is Houston. Illinois certainly has a chance to beat Houston, but I lean toward the Cougars advancing. Houston ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/march-madness-bracket-upset-predictions-final-four-pick-south-region/b97e4539166169341d0c1c91",
      "title": "March Madness bracket 2026: Upset predictions, sleepers, Final ...",
      "snippet": "When Houston leaves the South Region games as champion and heads on to the Final Four, it won't be on account of being able to bus from campus ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
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      "type": "direct"
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{
  "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-bracket-south-region-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144500974.html"
}

{
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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament St Johns Northern Iowa matchup analysis prediction Northern Iowa slow tempo"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
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{
  "content": "Advertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\n[17\\\\\n\\\\\nHOURS LEFT\\\\\n\\\\\n![](https://s.yimg.com/ba/images/9c465512eeec582cf7a7fcd1ea7142f6df38b20ec9cfbcf46b7f7a11811cc12e.png)\\\\\n\\\\\nThink you've got the perfect bracket? Prove it.\\\\\n\\\\\n$50k is on the line. Enter by 3/19\\\\\n\\\\\nFill Out Bracket](https://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/mens-basketball-bracket/register/createteam?ncid=100003769)\n\nTRENDING\n\n- [Play Bracket Mayhem](http://yahoofantasy.com/bracketmayhem)\n\n- [March Madness bracket picks](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-bracket-picks-cinderellas-upsets-final-four-predictions-and-more-for-the-ncaa-mens-and-womens-tournaments-134128076.html)\n\n- [Printable brackets](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/breaking-news/article/march-madness-printable-brackets-for-mens-and-womens-2026-ncaa-basketball-tournaments-141418306.html)\n\n- [About WNBA's new CBA and season](https://sports.yahoo.com/wnba/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-wnbas-new-cba-and-upcoming-season-173735615.html)\n\n- [No silver lining for USA](https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/world-baseball-classic-for-team-usa-juggernaut-offense-never-materializes-in-another-wbc-disappointment-075418149.html)\n\n\nStory by [![Yahoo Sports](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OY7XpdnJ.mnppEyjHIbScA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI2MjtoPTU2O2NmPXdlYnA-/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2021-02/d6cfeca0-6bdc-11eb-9fff-072dbeffa160)\\\\\n\\\\\n![Yahoo Sports](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0a6D8e9zyXYgoJ0vQZUUQw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI4ODtoPTU2O2NmPXdlYnA-/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2021-02/ca3e26a0-6bdc-11eb-b7ee-d9fd18161c81)](https://sports.yahoo.com/)\n\n[![](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Anzhz41_kx7xEoP1NwkZPQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTIxMDtoPTIxMDtjZj13ZWJw/https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fs.yimg.com%2Fos%2Fcreatr-uploaded-images%2F2023-04%2Fd2f4cb00-e600-11ed-b55f-6817177f4c26&compress=1&progressive=1&quality=75&client=hawkeye&signature=4a8e13273ba9573d3b8e3d14d8225255e1618304)](https://sports.yahoo.com/author/jason-owens-20131010/)\n\n[Jason Owens](https://sports.yahoo.com/author/jason-owens-20131010/) Staff writer\n\nWed, March 18, 2026 at 3:01 PM UTC·\n\n9 min read\n\nWith the [2026 NCAA men's tournament](https://sports.yahoo.com/college-basketball/topic/march-madness/) upon us, here's everything you need to know about the South region.\n\n**\\[More regional breakdowns:** [**East**](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-2026-east-region-bracket-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-watch-times-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144508183.html) **\\|** [**West**](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/breaking-news/article/march-madness-2026-west-region-bracket-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-watch-times-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144511669.html) **\\|** [**Midwest**](https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-2026-midwest-region-bracket-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-watch-times-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144504989.html) **\\]**\n\n## Who are the favorites?\n\n- No. 1 Florida ( [+650 to win the national title at BetMGM](https://mediaserver.betmgmpartners.com/renderBanner.do?zoneId=1734022))\n\n- No. 2 Houston (+900)\n\n- No. 3 Illinois (+2000)\n\n\nFlorida enters the the NCAA tournament as a No. 1 seed with its frontcourt intact from his 2025 NCAA championship roster. Houston has added one of the nation's best guards to a tournament-tested roster that lost to Florida in last year's championship game. Illinois is a young but explosive team that finished in a second-place tie in the loaded Big Ten and can score with any team in the country.\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\n**\\[** [**Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem is back: Enter for a shot to win up to $50K**](https://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/signup?ncid=100002309) **\\]**\n\n## When will the No. 1 seed go "
}

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{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UsRCo0QRg0",
      "title": "St. John's vs. Northern Iowa NCAA Tournament Game Preview And ...",
      "snippet": "The Sleepers preview the St. John's vs. Northern Iowa NCAA Tournament game! This video is brought to you by Tinker Coffee, the Midwest's ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/st-johns-northern-iowa-march-madness-bracket-pick/e6626f3923f61b9d369cb08e",
      "title": "St. John's or Northern Iowa? How to pick 5 vs 12 matchup in 2026 ...",
      "snippet": "John's opens as a double-digit favorite against Northern Iowa, according to DraftKings odds. The Red Storm are coming off a Big East Tournament ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/2026/03/16/st-johns-northern-iowa-picks-predictions-odds-march-madness-ncaa-tournament/88420748007/",
      "title": "St. John's vs Northern Iowa picks for NCAA March Madness",
      "snippet": "ESPN: St. John's has an 85% chance to beat Northern Iowa. The site gives the Panthers a 15% shot at defeating the Red Storm in the NCAA ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_uwHAlf4TQ",
      "title": "How far will St. John's go during March Madness as a No. 5 seed?",
      "snippet": "fifth by the NCAA selection committee, St. John's first-round matchup against Northern Iowa and the team's daunting path to the Final Four ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://fieldlevelmedia.com/ncaab/no-5-st-johns-out-to-prove-seeding-too-low-vs-no-12-northern-iowa/",
      "title": "No. 5 St. John's out to prove seeding too low vs. No. 12 Northern Iowa",
      "snippet": "No. 5 St. John's out to prove seeding too low vs. No. 12 Northern Iowa ... A sunny, oceanside locale for the NCAA Tournament opener surely fits a ..."
    }
  ]
}

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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Iowa State championship odds path bracket Midwest best team"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
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}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Nebraska Troy game prediction 4 vs 13 South region"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
    "caller": {
      "type": "direct"
    }
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}

{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-bracket-midwest-region-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144504902.html",
      "title": "Midwest region predictions, Cinderella, expert picks, schedule, odds ...",
      "snippet": "Michigan opened as the early favorite after the selection show, but is now firmly the No. 2 favorite behind Duke. Iowa State's odds have ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-midwest-region-bracket-preview/",
      "title": "2026 NCAA Tournament Midwest Region bracket preview",
      "snippet": "Breaking down the 2026 NCAA Tournament Midwest Region with predictions, upset picks, sleeper teams, best first-round games and players to ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-midwest-region-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144504385.html",
      "title": "Midwest region predictions, Cinderella, expert picks, schedule, odds ...",
      "snippet": "Michigan opened as the early favorite after the selection show, but is now firmly the No. 2 favorite behind Duke. Iowa State's odds have ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/48217692/espn-2026-ncaa-tournament-men-bracket-game-odds",
      "title": "Odds, spreads and totals for every game of the first round - ESPN",
      "snippet": "Duke, Arizona, Michigan, and defending champion Florida are the four No. 1 seeds, and are heavy favorites to win their first round matchups."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.si.com/betting/betting-the-midwest-region-in-2026-ncaa-tournament-predictions-odds-upsets-for-march-madness",
      "title": "Betting the Midwest Region in 2026 NCAA Tournament",
      "snippet": "Each Midwest Region Team's Odds to Win March Madness · Michigan +360 · Iowa State +1500 · Virginia +7500 · Tennessee +12000 · Texas Tech +13000 ..."
    }
  ]
}

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  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nebraska-troy-pick-4-vs-184800562.html",
      "title": "Nebraska or Troy? How to pick 4 vs. 13 matchup in 2026 March ...",
      "snippet": "4 Nebraska and No. 13 Troy in your 2026 March Madness bracket, including updated odds and our expert predictions for the South Region game."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.cornnation.com/basketball/93999/nebraska-mbb-4-seed-huskers-take-on-13-troy-in-the-south-region",
      "title": "Nebraska MBB: #4 Seed Huskers Take on #13 Troy in the South ...",
      "snippet": "Win, and this team will go down in Husker lore…FOR ALL OF IT. There is the running joke of whomever wins the first NCAA Tournament game for ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/2026/03/16/nebraska-troy-picks-predictions-odds-march-madness-ncaa-tournament/88419658007/",
      "title": "Nebraska vs Troy picks, predictions, odds for NCAA March Madness ...",
      "snippet": "ESPN: Nebraska has a 92.7% chance to beat Troy. The site gives the Trojans a 7.3% shot at defeating the Cornhuskers in the NCAA Tournament March ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://kdus1060.com/nebraska-vs-troy-prediction-ncaa-tournament-south-region-no-4-vs-no-13-march-madness-preview/",
      "title": "Nebraska vs. Troy Prediction: NCAA Tournament South Region No ...",
      "snippet": "In the No. 4 vs. No. 13 matchup in the NCAA Tournament South Region, Nebraska vs. Troy is the first-round game on Thursday, March 19 with a ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/basketball/predicting-nebrasketball-s-full-ncaa-tournament-path-is-a-final-four-run-possible-2026",
      "title": "Predicting Nebrasketball's Full NCAA Tournament Path: Is a Final ...",
      "snippet": "Nebraska opened as a 13.5-point favorite. That should be covered fairly easily by this Nebraska team, which will be fully rested and recovered ..."
    }
  ]
}

{
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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Kansas California Baptist prediction analysis seed 4 vs 13 East"
}

{
  "anthropic": {
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    }
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}

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament UConn Furman Michigan State first round prediction East"
}

{
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}

{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/kansas-california-baptist-march-madness-bracket-pick/d022d6a92dbe450b16e483eb",
      "title": "Kansas or Cal Baptist? How to pick 4 vs. 13 matchup in 2026 ...",
      "snippet": "Here is a complete guide to picking No. 4 Kansas and No. 13 California Baptist in your 2026 March Madness bracket, including updated odds ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-bracket-east-region-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144508304.html",
      "title": "East region predictions, Cinderella, expert picks, schedule ...",
      "snippet": "4 seed Kansas is actually a betting favorite over No. 3 seed Michigan State (+5000), thanks largely to the presence of potential No. 1 NBA Draft ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.si.com/college/kansas/basketball/california-baptist-vs-kansas-ncaa-tournament-preview",
      "title": "What To Expect From California Baptist Against Kansas In ...",
      "snippet": "ESPN Analytics' matchup predictor gives Kansas a 92.6% chance of victory. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.kake.com/home/kansas-earns-no-4-seed-in-ncaa-tournament-open-with-no-13-seed-cal-baptist/article_932a7d96-1421-4c8b-a68d-3b520fcb2691.html",
      "title": "Kansas earns No. 4 seed in NCAA Tournament, open with ...",
      "snippet": "Kansas earns No. 4 seed in NCAA Tournament, open with No. 13 seed Cal Baptist in San Diego · The Kansas Jayhawks have received an at-large bid to ..."
    },
    {
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