BracketGPT: Full Court Press

{
  "query": "2026 NCAA men's basketball AP Top 25 KenPom NET rankings March 18 2026"
}

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{
  "query": "2026 March Madness bracket preview Duke UConn Arizona Purdue Houston Michigan odds injuries March 18 2026"
}

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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament Cinderella candidates Northern Iowa High Point McNeese VCU Akron Santa Clara March 2026"
}

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{
  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://kenpom.com/",
      "title": "2026 Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings",
      "snippet": "2026 Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings. Check out our instructional course, Basketball Analytics for Coaches. Use code MARCH for $50 off! help."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://kenpom.com/index.php?s=RankAdjOE",
      "title": "2026 Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings",
      "snippet": "2026 Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings. Check out our instructional course, Basketball Analytics for Coaches. Use code MARCH for $50 off! help."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-net-rankings",
      "title": "NCAA Men's Basketball NET Rankings",
      "snippet": "1, Duke, 32-2, ACC, 10-1, 7-1, 15-0, 0-0, 1, 17-2, 6-0, 2-0, 7-0. 2, Michigan, 31-3, Big Ten, 11-0, 6-2, 14-1, 0-0, 2, 17-3, 5-0, 6-0, 3-0."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/ncaab/ncaa-tournament-bracket-based-using-kenpom-ratings-sgc/",
      "title": "Updated KenPom Rankings for the 2026 NCAA Tournament - BetMGM",
      "snippet": "Updated KenPom Rankings for the 2026 NCAA Tournament ; 1, Duke, 4 ; 2, Michigan, 8 ; 3, Arizona, 5 ; 4, Florida, 9 ..."
    },
    {
      "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": "Here are the latest men's USA TODAY Sports Coaches and AP Top 25 polls."
    }
  ]
}

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{
  "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": "March Madness 2026 · College basketball · Men's ... Bracket betting guide: March Madness odds, best bets and predictions for NCAA tournament."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/sports/college/tiger-extra/2026/03/18/ncaa-tournament-upset-predictions-tribunes-bracket-buster-march-madness-picks/89185410007/",
      "title": "March Madness upset predictions: Tribune's NCAA bracket ...",
      "snippet": "Here are our upset predictions for the NCAA Tournament, from the first round through the title game."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7126456/2026/03/18/ncaa-tournament-favorites-win-duke-arizona/",
      "title": "Which teams can realistically win the NCAA Tournament ...",
      "snippet": "Which teams can realistically win the NCAA Tournament? These 11 have a shot. Duke's Cameron Boozer celebrates during a win over NC State. Duke, ..."
    },
    {
      "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": "Men's NCAA Tournament odds: Duke, Michigan, Arizona among the championship favorites. play. Rick Pitino: Our game vs. UConn was an epic battle ( ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2026/03/18/2026-march-madness-final-four-predictions/",
      "title": "2026 March Madness Final Four predictions",
      "snippet": "Sean Barnard details his top picks for which NCAA Tournament teams will qualify for the Final Four in March Madness."
    }
  ]
}

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  "results": [
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-2026-region-by-region-predictions-cinderellas-expert-picks-odds-schedule-and-more-204524913.html",
      "title": "March Madness 2026: Region-by-region predictions, Cinderellas ...",
      "snippet": "With the 2026 NCAA tournament upon us, here's everything you need to know about all four regions."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.si.com/college-basketball/ten-teams-that-could-make-cinderella-runs-in-2026-mens-march-madness",
      "title": "Ten Teams That Could Make Cinderella Runs in 2026 Men's March ...",
      "snippet": "Ten Teams That Could Make Cinderella Runs in 2026 Men's March Madness ; 1. VCU (No. 11 Seed, South Region) · 2. Santa Clara (No. 10 Seed, Midwest ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2026/03/17/march-madness-predictions-ncaa-tournament-team-rankings-contenders-pretenders/89185502007/",
      "title": "March Madness team tiers: Pretenders to contenders, who can win it ...",
      "snippet": "Cinderella run to Sweet 16. Akron, McNeese State, South Florida, VCU, Miami (Ohio), Santa Clara. Someone grab the glass slippers with these ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.aol.com/sports/march-madness-2026-region-region-204524311.html",
      "title": "March Madness 2026: Region-by-region predictions, Cinderellas ...",
      "snippet": "With the 2026 NCAA tournament upon us, here's everything you need to know about all four regions."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/ncaa-tournament-2026-bracket-computer-simulation-predicts-surprising-upsets-sleepers-march-madness-picks/",
      "title": "NCAA Tournament 2026 bracket: Computer simulation predicts ...",
      "snippet": "College basketball fans will try to find 2026 March Madness Cinderella teams that can make a deep run in the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket."
    }
  ]
}

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{
  "url": "https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-net-rankings"
}

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{
  "url": "https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/ncaab/ncaa-tournament-bracket-based-using-kenpom-ratings-sgc/"
}

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{
  "url": "https://www.si.com/college-basketball/ten-teams-that-could-make-cinderella-runs-in-2026-mens-march-madness"
}

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{
  "content": "[Skip to main content](https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-net-rankings#main-content)\n\nDEVELOPED WITH\n\nNCAA Men's Basketball NET Rankings\n\n- Associated Press\n- NCAA Men's Basketball NET Rankings\n- Top 16 committee ranking\n- WAB Ranking\n- USA TODAY Coaches\n\nAssociated PressNCAA Men's Basketball NET RankingsTop 16 committee rankingWAB RankingUSA TODAY Coaches\n\nThrough Games Mar. 15 2026\n\n| Rank | School | Record | Conf | Road | Neutral | Home | Non-Div I | Prev | Quad 1 | Quad 2 | Quad 3 | Quad 4 |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Rank | School | Record | Conf | Road | Neutral | Home | Non-Div I | Prev | Quad 1 | Quad 2 | Quad 3 | Quad 4 |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | Duke | 32-2 | ACC | 10-1 | 7-1 | 15-0 | 0-0 | 1 | 17-2 | 6-0 | 2-0 | 7-0 |\n| 2 | Michigan | 31-3 | Big Ten | 11-0 | 6-2 | 14-1 | 0-0 | 2 | 17-3 | 5-0 | 6-0 | 3-0 |\n| 3 | Arizona | 32-2 | Big 12 | 9-1 | 7-0 | 16-1 | 0-0 | 3 | 16-2 | 8-0 | 1-0 | 7-0 |\n| 4 | Florida | 26-7 | SEC | 8-2 | 4-4 | 14-1 | 0-0 | 4 | 12-6 | 6-1 | 3-0 | 5-0 |\n| 5 | Houston | 28-6 | Big 12 | 6-3 | 7-2 | 15-1 | 0-0 | 5 | 10-6 | 9-0 | 3-0 | 6-0 |\n| 6 | Iowa St. | 27-7 | Big 12 | 5-5 | 6-1 | 16-1 | 0-0 | 7 | 8-7 | 10-0 | 2-0 | 7-0 |\n| 7 | Gonzaga | 30-3 | WCC | 8-2 | 7-1 | 15-0 | 0-0 | 6 | 7-2 | 4-0 | 11-1 | 8-0 |\n| 8 | Illinois | 24-8 | Big Ten | 8-2 | 2-3 | 14-3 | 0-0 | 8 | 7-8 | 5-0 | 7-0 | 5-0 |\n| 9 | Purdue | 27-8 | Big Ten | 8-3 | 7-0 | 12-5 | 0-0 | 9 | 11-8 | 6-0 | 7-0 | 3-0 |\n| 10 | UConn | 29-5 | Big East | 9-2 | 5-1 | 15-2 | 0-0 | 10 | 7-3 | 11-1 | 6-1 | 5-0 |\n| 11 | Michigan St. | 25-7 | Big Ten | 6-4 | 4-1 | 15-2 | 0-0 | 11 | 10-6 | 4-1 | 7-0 | 4-0 |\n| 12 | Virginia | 29-5 | ACC | 8-2 | 5-2 | 16-1 | 0-0 | 12 | 8-4 | 9-1 | 5-0 | 7-0 |\n| 13 | Vanderbilt | 26-8 | SEC | 8-4 | 5-1 | 13-3 | 0-0 | 13 | 10-7 | 7-1 | 3-0 | 6-0 |\n| 14 | Nebraska | 26-6 | Big Ten | 7-3 | 3-1 | 16-2 | 0-0 | 14 | 9-6 | 6-0 | 5-0 | 6-0 |\n| 15 | Arkansas | 26-8 | SEC | 5-5 | 4-2 | 17-1 | 0-0 | 17 | 8-8 | 8-0 | 4-0 | 6-0 |\n| 16 | St. John's (NY) | 28-6 | Big East | 9-1 | 4-3 | 15-2 | 0-0 | 15 | 5-5 | 11-0 | 9-1 | 3-0 |\n| 17 | Louisville | 23-10 | ACC | 4-7 | 4-1 | 15-2 | 0-0 | 16 | 8-10 | 4-0 | 4-0 | 7-0 |\n| 18 | Alabama | 23-9 | SEC | 7-3 | 4-3 | 12-3 | 0-0 | 18 | 7-7 | 9-2 | 5-0 | 2-0 |\n| 19 | Texas Tech | 22-10 | Big 12 | 5-5 | 3-3 | 14-2 | 0-0 | 19 | 7-9 | 5-1 | 7-0 | 3-0 |\n| 20 | Tennessee | 22-11 | SEC | 5-5 | 3-3 | 14-3 | 0-0 | 20 | 6-10 | 6-1 | 3-0 | 7-0 |\n| 21 | Kansas | 23-10 | Big 12 | 5-6 | 4-2 | 14-2 | 0-0 | 21 | 9-9 | 7-1 | 4-0 | 3-0 |\n| 22 | Saint Mary's (CA) | 26-5 | WCC | 8-2 | 2-3 | 16-0 | 1-0 | 22 | 1-4 | 8-1 | 10-0 | 7-0 |\n| 23 | BYU | 23-11 | Big 12 | 3-6 | 8-2 | 12-3 | 0-0 | 23 | 7-10 | 8-1 | 3-0 | 5-0 |\n| 24 | North Carolina | 24-8 | ACC | 4-6 | 2-2 | 18-0 | 0-0 | 24 | 6-8 | 5-0 | 8-0 | 5-0 |\n| 25 | Wisconsin | 24-10 | Big Ten | 6-4 | 3-4 | 15-2 | 0-0 | 25 | 9-8 | 4-1 | 5-1 | 6-0 |\n| 26 | Utah St. | 27-6 | Mountain West | 7-5 | 7-0 | 13-1 | 1-0 | 26 | 4-4 | 9-1 | 9-1 | 5-0 |\n| 27 | Iowa | 21-12 | Big Ten | 3-8 | 4-1 | 14-3 | 0-0 | 27 | 5-9 | 4-1 | 6-2 | 6-0 |\n| 28 | Kentucky | 21-13 | SEC | 4-6 | 3-3 | 14-4 | 0-0 | 28 | 5-11 | 7-2 | 3-0 | 6-0 |\n| 29 | Ohio St. | 21-12 | Big Ten | 5-6 | 2-3 | 14-3 | 0-0 | 29 | 5-11 | 4-1 | 6-0 | 6-0 |\n| 30 | UCLA | 23-11 | Big Ten | 4-6 | 2-4 | 17-1 | 0-0 | 31 | 5-8 | 5-3 | 6-0 | 7-0 |\n| 31 | Saint Louis | 27-5 | Atlantic 10 | 7-3 | 2-2 | 18-0 | 1-0 | 30 | 2-1 | 6-3 | 6-1 | 13-0 |\n| 32 | Miami (FL) | 25-8 | ACC | 8-2 | 2-3 | 15-3 | 0-0 | 32 | 6-6 | 6-2 | 3-0 | 10-0 |\n| 33 | Georgia | 22-10 | SEC | 6-4 | 2-2 | 14-4 | 0-0 | 33 | 6-7 | 6-2 | 1-1 | 9-0 |\n| 34 | Clemson | 24-10 | ACC | 6-5 | 5-2 | 13-3 | 0-0 | 34 | 6-6 | 7-4 | 4-0 | 7-0 |\n| 35 | Villanova | 24-8 | Big East | 9-3 | 2-2 | 13-3 | 0-0 | 35 | 2-6 | 8-1 | 9-1 | 5-0 |\n| 36 | NC State | 20-13 | ACC | 6-4 | 3-3 | 11-6 | 0-0 | 36 | 5-8 | 6-4 | 5-0 | 4-1 |\n| 37 | SMU | 20-13 "
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{
  "content": "BetMGM\n\n![NCAAB](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/sports/betmgm/basketball.svg)NCAAB\n\n- ![NBA](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/sports/betmgm/basketball.svg)NBA\n- ![MLB](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/sports/betmgm/baseball.svg)MLB\n- ![NHL](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/sports/betmgm/hockey.svg)NHL\n- ![NCAAB](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/sports/betmgm/basketball.svg)NCAAB\n- ![UFC](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/sports/betmgm/mma.svg)UFC\n- ![PGA Tour](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/sports/betmgm/golf.svg)PGA Tour\n- ![World Cup](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/sports/betmgm/soccer.svg)World Cup\n\nMar 18\n\n- Mar 17\n- Mar 18\n- Mar 19\n\nWed \\| 6:40 PM ET\n\n![Prairie View A&M Panthers](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/teams/basketball/betmgm/the_roar/ncaab/prairie_view_a_and_m_panthers.svg)\n\nPrairie View A&M\n\nPrairie View A&M\n\n![Lehigh Mountain Hawks](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/teams/basketball/betmgm/the_roar/ncaab/lehigh_mountain_hawks.svg)\n\nLehigh\n\nLehigh\n\nWed \\| 7:00 PM ET\n\n![Navy](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/teams/basketball/betmgm/the_roar/ncaab/navy_midshipmen.svg)\n\nNavy\n\nNavy\n\nSpread [+10.5 **-118**](https://playmgmsports.onelink.me/TkMx?utm_term=onelink&pid=playmgmsportswrp&utm_source=BetMGM_US_sports_blog&utm_medium=Scoreboard&utm_campaign=GTG&wm=7119147&af_sub1=7119147&af_android_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.betmgm.com%2Fen%2Fsports%2Fevents%2F19218255%3Foptions%3D19218255-1481452741--137005870&af_ios_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.betmgm.com%2Fen%2Fsports%2Fevents%2F19218255%3Foptions%3D19218255-1481452741--137005870&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.betmgm.com%2Fen%2Fsports%2Fevents%2F19218255%3Foptions%3D19218255-1481452741--137005870&af_dp=playmgmsportswrp%3A%2F%2Fnavigation%3Fscheme%3Dhttps%26url%3Dwww.betmgm.com%2Fen%2Fsports%2Fevents%2F19218255%3Foptions%3D19218255-1481452741--137005870)\n\n![Wake Forest](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/teams/basketball/betmgm/the_roar/ncaab/wake_forest_demon_deacons.svg)\n\nWake Forest\n\nWake Forest\n\nSpread [-10.5 **-102**](https://playmgmsports.onelink.me/TkMx?utm_term=onelink&pid=playmgmsportswrp&utm_source=BetMGM_US_sports_blog&utm_medium=Scoreboard&utm_campaign=GTG&wm=7119147&af_sub1=7119147&af_android_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.betmgm.com%2Fen%2Fsports%2Fevents%2F19218255%3Foptions%3D19218255-1481452741--137005869&af_ios_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.betmgm.com%2Fen%2Fsports%2Fevents%2F19218255%3Foptions%3D19218255-1481452741--137005869&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.betmgm.com%2Fen%2Fsports%2Fevents%2F19218255%3Foptions%3D19218255-1481452741--137005869&af_dp=playmgmsportswrp%3A%2F%2Fnavigation%3Fscheme%3Dhttps%26url%3Dwww.betmgm.com%2Fen%2Fsports%2Fevents%2F19218255%3Foptions%3D19218255-1481452741--137005869)\n\nWed \\| 8:00 PM ET\n\n![Kent State](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/teams/basketball/betmgm/the_roar/ncaab/kent_state_golden_flashes.svg)\n\nKent State\n\nKent State\n\n![Illinois State Redbirds](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/teams/basketball/betmgm/the_roar/ncaab/illinois_state_redbirds.svg)\n\nIllinois State\n\nIllinois State\n\nWed \\| 8:00 PM ET\n\n![George Washington](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/teams/basketball/betmgm/the_roar/ncaab/george_washington_revolutionaries.svg)\n\nGeorge Washington\n\nGeorge Washington\n\nSpread [+1.5 **-110**](https://playmgmsports.onelink.me/TkMx?utm_term=onelink&pid=playmgmsportswrp&utm_source=BetMGM_US_sports_blog&utm_medium=Scoreboard&utm_campaign=GTG&wm=7119147&af_sub1=7119147&af_android_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.betmgm.com%2Fen%2Fsports%2Fevents%2F19218259%3Foptions%3D19218259-1480259205--140090172&af_ios_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.betmgm.com%2Fen%2Fsports%2Fevents%2F19218259%3Foptions%3D19218259-1480259205--140090172&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.betmgm.com%2Fen%2Fsports%2Fevents%2F19218259%3Foptions%3D19218259-1480259205--140090172&af_dp=playmgmsportswrp%3A%2F%2Fnavigation%3Fscheme%3Dhttps%26url%3Dwww.betmgm.com%2Fen%2Fsports%2Fevents%2F19218259%3Foptions%3D19218259-1480259205--140090172)\n\n![Utah Valley Wolverines](https://cdn.gtgnetwork.com/icons/teams/basketball/betmgm/th"
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{
  "content": "[Skip to main content](https://www.si.com/college-basketball/ten-teams-that-could-make-cinderella-runs-in-2026-mens-march-madness#main)\n\nPerhaps the biggest story of the 2025 men’s [NCAA tournament](https://www.si.com/march-madness) was the lack of a true Cinderella story. It was as chalky a tournament as you’ll find, and even the one, big seed-line upset (Colorado State over Memphis) didn’t turn into a deep run thanks to Derik Queen’s round of 32 heroics. That produced plenty of takes about the future role of Cinderella in the tournament. Has NIL and the transfer portal made it impossible for a mid-major run like the ones we’ve become accustomed to seeing? While it’s certainly possible that changes to the sport’s landscape may cut down on Cinderella runs long term, it’s too early to write off big upsets as a thing of the past. After all, we had more massive upsets in the previous few years before 2025 than almost any other stretch in the history of the event.\n\nSo who are the best candidates to wear this year’s magic slipper? _Sports Illustrated_ is here to help you find them, and maybe [help you win your bracket pool](https://www.si.com/college-basketball/bracket-challenge) in the process. Here’s a look at the top 10 candidates to blow up your bracket:\n\n## 1\\. VCU (No. 11 Seed, South Region)\n\nVCU got only a shred of the attention Saint Louis did in the Atlantic 10 this season, but the two ended up tied for the regular-season title and VCU won the conference tournament. After starting just 11–6, the Rams won 16 of 17 down the stretch to surge into the NCAA tournament and look increasingly like a team no one wants to play.\n\nThe major catalysts of the Rams’ improvement is the play of sophomore guards Terrence Hill Jr. and Brandon Jennings. Hill is an elite bucket-getter who takes care of the ball and scores it efficiently, while Jennings is a monster on the defensive end who changes games in certain matchups. Add in highly skilled big Lazar Djokovic and a stable of big wings that have defensive versatility, and you have a group that looks really dangerous at the moment.\n\nVCU has better guards than North Carolina, whose backcourt has been inconsistent all season. The matchup the Rams likely couldn’t solve would have been with likely top-five NBA draft pick Caleb Wilson, but Wilson is out for the season with a broken thumb. VCU has the bodies to throw at Henri Veesaar and looks like a very real live underdog to potentially pull an upset in the first round against the Tar Heels. And if that happens, don’t be shocked if the Rams scare Illinois, too. Jennings is a good potential [Keaton Wagler](https://www.si.com/college-basketball/keaton-waglers-meteoric-rise-at-illinois-isnt-a-fluke) defender, and the Illini have struggled of late.\n\n## 2\\. Santa Clara (No. 10 Seed, Midwest Region)\n\n[The Broncos have been knocking on the door of the Big Dance for a while under Herb Sendek](https://www.si.com/college-basketball/forde-minutes-everything-you-need-to-know-2026-mens-march-madness) with 20-plus wins per year in their last six full seasons and finally broke through this season for their first NCAA tournament berth in 30 years. And as Cinderellas go, they’re as battle-tested as they come, having played three power-conference opponents and 13 total games against top-100 KenPom foes.\n\nFrom a pure talent perspective, Santa Clara is more than capable of making a deep run. Freshman forward Allen Graves comes off the bench, but has the NBA intrigued playing a Cameron Boozer–like role for the Broncos. Big wing Elijah Mahi could get a look at the next level, too. Guards Christian Hammond and Sash Gavalyugov are studs, and 7-footer Bukky Oboye can change games as a shot blocker. The Broncos were the WCC’s most efficient offense this season and have plenty of firepower to keep pace with Kentucky.\n\nThe biggest concern in backing Santa Clara as a Cinderella is its poor free throw disparity. The Broncos get to the line at one of the 10 lowest rates in t"
}

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{
  "query": "The Athletic 2026 NCAA tournament favorites Duke Arizona article injuries matchup March 18 2026"
}

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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament region by region predictions East West South Midwest injuries sleepers March 18 2026"
}

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    "itemId": "fc_0d5c456d9f528efa0169bb331099f88190b3e79c39bdcab319"
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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament injured players Caleb Wilson North Carolina broken thumb March 2026"
}

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{
  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament upset picks South Florida over Louisville Texas over BYU McNeese over Vanderbilt Santa Clara over Kentucky March 2026"
}

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      "url": "https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7125224/2026/03/17/march-madness-2026-player-injuries-caleb-foster-mikel-brown/",
      "title": "Key March Madness injuries to know while filling out your men's ...",
      "snippet": "Injuries to monitor · Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville · Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II, Duke · Jaylin Stewart, UConn · Braden Huff, Gonzaga · Nolan ..."
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      "url": "https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2026-03-18/what-know-about-every-mens-team-ncaa-tournament",
      "title": "What to know about every men's team in the NCAA tournament",
      "snippet": "Robby General Jr | NCAA.com | March 18, 2026. What to know about every men's team in the NCAA ... Arizona is a favorite to win the tournament, and for good ..."
    },
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      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/why-duke-basketball-upset-alert-210404296.html",
      "title": "Why Duke basketball is on upset alert in 2026 NCAA Tournament",
      "snippet": "While Duke is the overall no. 1 seed, that doesn't mean they are going to walk their way through this year's tournament."
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      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO8MgS5_Vh4",
      "title": "EAST REGION PREVIEW: Duke got SCREWED by the committee",
      "snippet": "EAST REGION PREVIEW: Duke got SCREWED by the committee | 2026 NCAA Tournament ... *PERFECT* FULL March Madness 2026 Tournament Bracket Predictions ..."
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      "url": "https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48236577/coaches-predict-ncaa-tournament-champion-cinderellas-2026",
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      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-east-region-bracket-preview/",
      "title": "2026 NCAA Tournament East Region bracket preview - CBS Sports",
      "snippet": "Breaking down the 2026 NCAA Tournament East Region with predictions, upset picks, sleeper teams, best first-round games and players to watch ..."
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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",
      "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://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaab/2026-ncaa-tournament-picks-predictions-march-madness-bracket",
      "title": "2026 NCAA Tournament Picks, Predictions: Our Expert's Full March ...",
      "snippet": "Read for 2026 NCAA Tournament picks and predictions, including our expert's full March Madness bracket."
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    {
      "url": "https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48217204/march-madness-bracket-predictions-picks-ncaa-tournament-final-four-2026",
      "title": "Instant men's March Madness bracket: Predicting every game - ESPN",
      "snippet": "Jeff Borzello makes his picks for the 2026 NCAA tournament, from the First Four through the Final Four."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSIy01dhJks",
      "title": "2026 NCAA March Madness Bracket Breakdown for EACH Region",
      "snippet": "The CBS Sports Network crew are here to give you a full 2026 NCAA Tournament Bracket Breakdown ahead of 2026 March Madness. [0:00:00] East ..."
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    {
      "url": "https://www.wral.com/sports/unc-homecourt-advantage-greenville-sc-caleb-wilson-out-march-2026/",
      "title": "UNC opens NCAA Tournament without Caleb Wilson vs. surging VCU",
      "snippet": "11 seed VCU while adjusting to life without star freshman Caleb Wilson. The Tar Heels have gone 5-3 since Wilson's season-ending thumb injury."
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      "url": "https://www.nba.com/news/north-carolina-star-caleb-wilson-breaks-right-thumb-in-practice-and-is-out-for-the-season",
      "title": "UNC star Caleb Wilson out for season with broken thumb - NBA",
      "snippet": "North Carolina says star freshman Caleb Wilson broke his right thumb in practice and will miss the remainder of the season."
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      "url": "https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48124467/caleb-wilson-injury-impact-unc-duke-ncaa-tournament-nba-draft",
      "title": "How Caleb Wilson's injury impacts UNC-Duke, NCAA tournament ...",
      "snippet": "He was \"progressing\" toward a return when he broke his thumb. What does his absence mean for North Carolina's chances against Duke on Saturday ( ..."
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    {
      "url": "https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/college/acc/2026/03/13/caleb-wilson-injury-unc-basketball-clemson-acc-tournament/89036682007/",
      "title": "Caleb Wilson discusses injury after UNC loss to Clemson in ACC ...",
      "snippet": "Following his eighth straight game on the sideline, including the last two with a season-ending right thumb injury that required surgery, Wilson ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.tarheelblog.com/unc-basketball/53007/uncs-caleb-wilson-to-miss-the-rest-of-the-season-with-broken-thumb",
      "title": "UNC's Caleb Wilson to miss the rest of the season with broken thumb",
      "snippet": "UNC basketball without Caleb Wilson: Looking Ahead to the NCAA Tournament ... March Madness' 50 best players, ranked for 2026 men's NCAA ..."
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      "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) South Florida vs. (6) Louisville. Upset chance: 19% 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. Although the upset chance appears low here, the uncertainty ..."
    },
    {
      "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": "South Florida over Louisville was picked six times (60%). Upset alert: Ranking 8 most likely March Madness first round upsets. Our boldest ..."
    },
    {
      "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.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": "The 10 most likely men's NCAA tournament upsets for March Madness 2026 ; No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores vs. No. 12 McNeese Cowboys · 41.2 percent ; No ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://lawlessrepublic.com/march-madness-bracket-bolster-thoughts-and-picks-for-every-round-of-64-matchup",
      "title": "March Madness Bracket Bolster: Thoughts and picks for every ...",
      "snippet": "South Florida will be a very popular upset pick with Louisville star Mikel Brown Jr's health in question. Both teams want to play fast, and I'm ..."
    }
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{
  "content": "[Skip to main content](https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2026-03-18/what-know-about-every-mens-team-ncaa-tournament#main-content)\n\nPRESENTED BY\n\n00:00/00:00\n\n![Best moments from Charles Barkley and Dick Vitale at the First Four](https://www.ncaa.com/sites/default/files/public/thumbnails/2026-03/chuck-vitale.jpg?crop=ar&aw=1280&ah=720&ax=0.5&ay=0.5)\n\nDI Men's Basketball\n\nBest moments from Charles Barkley and Dick Vitale at the First Four\n\nBest moments from Charles Barkley and Dick Vitale at the First Four\n\nShare\n\n- [![Facebook](https://www.ncaa.com/modules/custom/casablanca_social/modules/casablanca_social_hanger/img/social-facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2026-03-18/what-know-about-every-mens-team-ncaa-tournament \"Share on Facebook\")\n- [![X](https://www.ncaa.com/modules/custom/casablanca_social/modules/casablanca_social_hanger/img/social-twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2026-03-18/what-know-about-every-mens-team-ncaa-tournament \"Share on X\")\n\nThe 2026 men's NCAA tournament 68-team field is finally set. With each team setting its sights on the Big Dance through 31 auto bids and 37 at-large, here's a breakdown of each team that will be competing.\n\n_Teams are listed in alphabetical order._\n\n**Akron**\n\nFor the first time in Mid-American Conference history, there is a back-to-back-to-back champion: the Akron Zips (29-5, 17-1 MAC). It's been a historic season for the Zips, who clinched their eighth NCAA tournament berth behind a program record 29 wins. If there was ever a mid-major squad opposing teams don't want to see in the tournament, it's Akron. The Zips are top-10 nationally in scoring offense (88.4 ppg) and field goal percentage (50.3%) and are top-20 in 3-point percentage (37.9%).\n\n**Alabama**\n\nAlabama (23-9, 13-5 SEC) has tinkered with its lineup throughout the season, which ended on a stunning 80-79 loss to Ole Miss in the Southeastern Conference Tournament. The Crimson Tide average a country-best 91.7 points per game, capable of scoring triple-digits against any opponent it matches up against. Alabama is led by sophomore guard Labaron Philon Jr. (21.7 ppg), along with four other players who average 10-plus points per game.\n\n**Arizona**\n\nMarch Madness came early for Big 12 champions Arizona (32-2, 16-2 Big 12). After Jason Bradley's buzzer-beating shot to beat Iowa State in the conference semifinals, Arizona returned the following night, holding off Houston in the title game to secure an automatic bid and No. 1 seed. Arizona is a favorite to win the tournament, and for good reason. The Wildcats are one of the most prolific offenses (86.1 points per game) with all five starters averaging double-digits and have one of the best rebounding margins (10.8) to go along with it.\n\n**MAKE YOUR PICKS: [Fill out your bracket in the men's Bracket Challenge Game](https://mml.app.link/ncaa_art_bcg)**\n\n**Arkansas**\n\nArkansas (26-8, 13-5 SEC) put together one of the most impressive conference tournament runs in the country, running through the gauntlet of the Southeastern Conference to secure its first SEC tournament title since 2000. The high-scoring Razorbacks are led by freshman sensations Darius Acuff Jr., who was named the SEC Player of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year and SEC tournament MVP, and Meleek Thomas.\n\n**BYU**\n\nDespite another 20-win season, BYU (23-11, 9-9 Big 12) struggled to live up to the lofty preseason expectations that had it ranked No. 8 in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll, finding itself on the bubble entering Selection Sunday. Still, the Cougars, led by future NBA first-round draft pick AJ Dybantsa, have all the makings of a mid-seed team that can make a deep run in this year's tournament.\n\n**California Baptist**\n\nDown seven with just over two minutes to go in the Western Atlantic Conference championship game, California Baptist (25-8, 13-5 WAC) went on a final rally t"
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  "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"
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{
  "content": "site: media \\| arena: collegebasketball \\| pageType: stories \\|\nsection: \\| slug: 2026-ncaa-tournament-east-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-east-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 East Region bracket preview: Predictions, sleepers, players to watch\n\n## Duke and National Player of the Year favorite Cameron Boozer headline a star-studded East Region featuring UConn, Kansas, Michigan State and Rick Pitino's Big East champion St. John's.\n\n[![            Chip Patterson     ](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2016/05/04/824c27de-4885-4392-934d-c369caebcd22/thumbnail/80x80/e5619041e24dcf80e4ca3934b3db3990/chippatterson.png)](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/chip-patterson/)\n\nBy\n[Chip Patterson](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/chip-patterson/)\n\n\nMar 16, 2026\n\nat\n\n10:52 am ET\n•\n9 min read\n\n\n![img-5048.jpg](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2026/03/16/c74773d2-3e6e-4ef4-bfda-82ab07280c21/thumbnail/770x433/cdfefe0d34d44561ec30ae4fac1b0807/img-5048.jpg)CBS Sports\n\nThe East Region of the [2026 NCAA Tournament bracket](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-bracket-2026-printable-mens-ncaa-tournament/) is where you can find the likely National Player of the Year, a potential No. 1 overall [NBA Draft](https://cbssports.com/nba/draft/) pick, three of the last four national champions and six programs that have won multiple national titles.\n\nIs that something that interests you?\n\nIt's the region of stars, blue bloods and big brands, and it's going to produce some of the most high-pressure basketball of the entire tournament.\n\n[Duke](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/DUKE/duke-blue-devils/) forward [Cameron Boozer](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/28906139/cameron-boozer/) has been on the award tour, collecting ACC Player of the Year honors while leading Duke to regular season and tournament conference titles, and he's currently well-positioned for All-American and National Player of the Year recognition as well. Duke being the No. 1 overall seed is always going to be a point of intrigue, but not every good Duke team has the national player of the year. Boozer's impact on this tournament has been heightened as Duke has sustained multiple injuries to starters in recent weeks, but he's already shown enough to warrant the hardware and a top projection in the 2026 NBA Draft.\n\nSpeaking of the draft, the East Region's ability to boast its brands is also tied to the intrigue for what [Kansas](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/KANSAS/kansas-jayhawks/) and star freshman [Darryn Peterson](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/28906140/darryn-peterson/) will do on the game's biggest stage. Peterson's talent is undeniable and when everything is going well it looks unstoppable at the college level. But with the availability issues it's been tough for Kansas and the potential top pick in the NBA Draft to spend a lot of time playing together consistently at a high level. How Peterson performs, and what Kansas does in terms of making the second weekend after a few years of whiffs, are one of many fascinating storylines to the East Region.\n\nIn fact, nearly every single corner of the bracket presents an intriguing storyline with coaches and programs that expect to compete for championships. Every season at Duke, [UConn](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/UCONN/connecticut-huskies/), Michigan State and Kansas starts with the belief that they can compete to win it all. J"
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  "query": "2026 West region bracket preview Wisconsin High Point Arkansas Hawaii BYU Texas NC State Gonzaga Missouri Miami Purdue Queens"
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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",
      "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.youtube.com/watch?v=K9wuOGfZai8",
      "title": "Jon Rothstein picks ENTIRE West Region I 2026 March Madness",
      "snippet": "Go to channel CBS Sports · Expert Matt Norlander fills out his bracket | 2026 NCAA TOURNAMENT PREDICTIONS & ADVICE. CBS Sports. New. 74K views."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://nypost.com/2026/03/15/sports/west-regional-march-madness-2026-bracket-preview-top-teams-players-to-watch/",
      "title": "West Regional March Madness 2026 bracket preview: Top teams ...",
      "snippet": "Here's a look at the West Region of the NCAA Tournament as March Madness gets set to tip off Tuesday."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.aol.com/articles/march-madness-2026-west-region-144511636.html",
      "title": "March Madness 2026: West region bracket predictions, Cinderella ...",
      "snippet": "With the 2026 NCAA men's tournament upon us, here's everything you need to know about the West region."
    }
  ]
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  "results": [
    {
      "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": "Breaking down the 2026 NCAA Tournament South 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-south-region-predictions-cinderella-expert-picks-schedule-odds-betting-lines-and-more-144500297.html",
      "title": "March Madness: South region predictions, Cinderella, expert picks ...",
      "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://nypost.com/2026/03/15/sports/south-regional-march-madness-2026-bracket-preview-top-teams-players-to-watch/",
      "title": "South Regional March Madness 2026 bracket preview: Top teams ...",
      "snippet": "Sixty-eight teams are starting their engines for the road to Indianapolis for the 2026 Final Four. Here's a look at the South Region of the ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT6nt0YD25Y",
      "title": "March Madness South Region Bracket Preview, Picks - YouTube",
      "snippet": "Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander make their game-by-game picks and predictions for the South Region in the 2026 NCAA Tournament."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlmZRRlvKdI",
      "title": "2026 NCAA men's tournament bracket revealed | South Region",
      "snippet": "Florida was selected as the No. 1 seed of the South Region in the 2026 men's NCAA tournament bracket. Watch the full South Region reveal ..."
    }
  ]
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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": "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": "Michigan enters the 2026 NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region, and Dusty May's team looks every bit the part of a Final ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://247sports.com/longformarticle/march-madness-2026-bracket-score-predictions-sportsline-midwest-region-ncaa-tournament-277919380/",
      "title": "March Madness 2026 bracket score predictions: SportsLine model ...",
      "snippet": "The SportsLine Projection Model simulated the entire 2026 NCAA Tournament 10000 times and predicted the Midwest Region."
    },
    {
      "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.youtube.com/watch?v=CXV5RHjKEc0",
      "title": "March Madness Midwest Region Bracket Preview & Picks - YouTube",
      "snippet": "Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander make their game-by-game picks and predictions for the Midwest Region in the 2026 NCAA Tournament."
    }
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{
  "content": "site: media \\| arena: collegebasketball \\| pageType: stories \\|\nsection: \\| slug: 2026-ncaa-tournament-south-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-south-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 South Region bracket preview: Predictions, sleepers, players to watch\n\n## Florida leads the South Region as Houston, Illinois and North Carolina headline a bracket packed with tough matchups, dangerous double-digit seeds and NBA-level guard play.\n\n[![            David Cobb     ](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2020/01/27/927cdfbb-c58c-42f7-b2cd-b6028d112ebe/thumbnail/80x80/20c71c6e361e25a5a509826e42528def/david-cobb.png)](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/david-cobb/)\n\nBy\n[David Cobb](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/david-cobb/)\n\n\nMar 16, 2026\n\nat\n\n12:47 pm ET\n•\n6 min read\n\n\n![img-5051.jpg](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2026/03/16/664da832-2cf0-4204-b488-54693bd66467/thumbnail/770x433/1e73a6041512bb7b6de165ea2355bb97/img-5051.jpg)CBS Sports\n\n[Florida's](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/FLA/florida-gators/) quest for a national title repeat could wind up going through the backyard of a perennial powerhouse in the South Region. Though [Houston](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/HOU/houston-cougars/) failed to secure the fourth No. 1 seed in the [2026 NCAA Tournament bracket](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/march-madness-bracket-2026-printable-mens-ncaa-tournament/), the Cougars still landed where they always wanted to be.\n\nAs the No. 2 seed in the South, Kelvin Sampson's club is on track to return home to play at the Toyota Center in the Sweet 16. But first, they have to get there. With fearsome double-digit seeds lurking, the South features some potential treachery for well-seeded teams.\n\nNo. 6 seed [North Carolina](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/UNC/north-carolina-tar-heels/) is this region's blue blood program, and the Tar Heels will have their hands full from the jump against No. 11 seed [VCU](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/VCU/vcu-rams/). With star freshman forward [Caleb Wilson](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/players/28906155/caleb-wilson/) out for the season, [the Tar Heels are facing one of the tougher draws in the bracket](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-best-worst-draws-march-madness/). Getting past the Rams would likely mean facing No. 3 seed [Illinois](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/ILL/illinois-fighting-illini/) in the second round. The Illini are stronger than their seeding suggests.\n\nFrom an analytics perspective, Illinois profiles as the seventh-strongest team in the field, meaning three of the seven the best squads in the NCAA Tournament from an efficiency perspective are in this corner of the bracket.\n\nThat doesn't leave much room for a long-term Cinderella from the double-digit seed range. But there are plenty of potential stories to monitor. No. 4 seed [Nebraska](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/NEB/nebraska-cornhuskers/) has never won an NCAA Tournament game in program history, and No. 5 seed [Vanderbilt](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/VANDY/vanderbilt-commodores/) hasn't won one since 2012. [After being brutally under-seeded by the committee](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/grading-ncaa-tournament-selection-committee-vanderbilt-auburn-miami-ohio/), how will the Commodores respond?\n\n**_[March Madness](https://cbssports.c"
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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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{
  "content": "Advertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement\n\n[16\\\\\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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  "query": "2026 NCAA tournament best first round upsets 12 over 5 McNeese Akron High Point ESPN probability"
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{
  "query": "2026 Kentucky Santa Clara preview Herb Sendek March Madness 2026"
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{
  "query": "2026 Louisville Mikel Brown injury March Madness South Florida preview"
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{
  "query": "2026 Kansas Darryn Peterson availability issues March Madness East region preview"
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    {
      "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": "High Point is the only 12-seed with at least a 20% chance to win, according to the model, and this could be one of the highest-scoring games of ..."
    },
    {
      "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": "Moneylines, spreads, totals and BPI predictions for the first round of the 2026 NCAA men's tournament."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-ncaa-tournament-cheat-sheet-stats-march-madness-history-bracket-picks/",
      "title": "2026 NCAA Tournament cheat sheet of stats, things to ... - CBS Sports",
      "snippet": "That means at least one of these teams is winning in the first two TV windows: Troy, South Florida, High Point, Siena, McNeese, North Dakota ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/espns-computer-identifies-3-most-143641415.html",
      "title": "ESPN's Computer Identifies 3 'Most Likely' First Round Upsets",
      "snippet": "According to ESPN's computer model, the Basketball Power Index, the most likely big-time upset is No. 12 seed High Point over No. 5 seed ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.tsn.ca/ncaa/article/most-probable-first-round-upsets-in-the-mens-2026-ncaa-tournament-n1-48223542/",
      "title": "Most probable first-round upsets in the men's 2026 NCAA tournament",
      "snippet": "High Point is the only 12-seed with at least a 20% chance to win, according to the model, and this could be one of the highest-scoring games of ..."
    }
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  "results": [
    {
      "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://santaclarabroncos.com/news/2026/3/17/mens-basketball-need-to-know-ncaa-tournament.aspx",
      "title": "Need to Know: NCAA Tournament - Santa Clara University",
      "snippet": "Louis to take on the Kentucky Wildcats in the first round of the 2025-26 NCAA Tournament. ... Score official NCAA March Madness apparel by ..."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.kentucky.com/video/article315077147.html",
      "title": "Santa Clara coach Herb Sendek on March Madness matchup with ...",
      "snippet": "Santa Clara basketball coach Herb Sendek looks ahead to Friday's NCAA Tournament game against Kentucky, where he was an assistant coach ..."
    },
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      "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": "No. 7 seed Kentucky and No. 10 seed Santa Clara play Friday, March 20, in a March Madness NCAA Tournament first-round game."
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2026/03/15/santa-clara-march-madness-drought-kentucky-bracket/",
      "title": "Santa Clara returns to March Madness for first time in three decades",
      "snippet": "Santa Clara has six straight 20-win seasons and three NIT appearances under Sendek, but finally received its March Madness invitation after ..."
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      "title": "Mikel Brown Jr. injury update Louisville vs South Florida NCAA bracket",
      "snippet": "Louisville basketball has been without starting point guard Mikel Brown Jr. for the past four games due to a reaggravated back injury. When ..."
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      "url": "https://www.si.com/college/louisville/basketball/mikel-brown-jr-ncaa-tournament-first-weekend-status",
      "title": "Will Louisville PG Mikel Brown Jr. Play vs. South Florida?",
      "snippet": "The star point guard has missed the last four games due to a lingering lower back injury."
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      "snippet": "Darryn Peterson and No. 4 Kansas will play No. 13 California Baptist in the first round of the men's NCAA Tournament on Friday."
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      "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/4-biggest-tests-darryn-petersons-174955842.html",
      "title": "4 biggest tests for Darryn Peterson's NBA Draft stock in Kansas ...",
      "snippet": "After a topsy-turvy regular season, Kansas' Darryn Peterson will look to prove that he's the No. 1 pick with a strong tournament."
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      "url": "https://nypost.com/2026/03/16/sports/2026-march-madness-bracket-east-region-breakdown-prediction/",
      "title": "2026 March Madness bracket East Region breakdown, prediction",
      "snippet": "Darryn Peterson, No. 4 Kansas. An argument can be made that he is the most interesting player in this tournament. The 6-foot-6 freshman shooting ..."
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    {
      "url": "https://athlonsports.com/college-basketball/top-players-east-region-2026-ncaa-tournament",
      "title": "Top 8 players in the East Region of the 2026 NCAA Tournament",
      "snippet": "Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) reacts during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse. Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn ..."
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      "title": "Coaches predict the men's NCAA tournament champion, potential ...",
      "snippet": "The official vote tally: Arizona: 12. Duke: 5. Michigan: 3. Florida: 2. Houston: 1."
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      "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": "Last season, my bracket was chalky: I had all four No. 1 seeds reaching the Final Four, Houston and Florida advancing to the championship game, ..."
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    {
      "url": "https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48237100/final-four-national-championship-picks-predictions-march-madness-2026",
      "title": "Final Four, national champion predictions for the men's NCAA ...",
      "snippet": "Coaches predict the men's NCAA tournament champion, potential Cinderellas, more. Jeff Borzello. Jay Bilas predicts every game of the 2026 NCAA ..."
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    {
      "url": "https://nationaltoday.com/us/ky/louisville/news/2026/03/17/espn-analyst-jay-bilas-reveals-2026-ncaa-tournament-bracket-picks/",
      "title": "ESPN Analyst Jay Bilas Reveals 2026 NCAA Tournament Bracket ...",
      "snippet": "Bilas predicts Arizona will win the national championship, ending a 29-year drought for West Coast teams. Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:03pm. Got story ..."
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      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpcrEFPU2P0",
      "title": "Initial 2026 NCAA tournament Final Four and championship picks",
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  "content": "Skip to main content\n\nSkip to navigation\n\n\n<\n\n>\n\nJaden Bradley and the Arizona Wildcats were a popular pick in ESPN's annual NCAA tournament coaches poll. AP Photo/Jessica Hill\n\n- ![](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/columnists/full/borzello_jeff.png&h=80&w=80&scale=crop)\n\nJeff BorzelloMar 18, 2026, 06:50 AM ET\n\n[Close](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48236577/coaches-predict-ncaa-tournament-champion-cinderellas-2026#)\n\n  - Basketball recruiting insider.\n\n  - Joined ESPN in 2014.\n\n  - Graduate of University of Delaware.\n\n[Follow on X](http://twitter.com/intent/user?screen_name=jeffborzello)\n\nMultiple Authors\n\n![](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/content-reactions/share-ios-on_light.png&h=80&w=80)Share\n\n- [Copy Link![Copy Link](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/content-reactions/check.png&h=80&w=80)](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48236577/coaches-predict-ncaa-tournament-champion-cinderellas-2026#)\n- [Email](mailto:?subject=Coaches%20predict%20the%20men%27s%20NCAA%20tournament%20champion,%20potential%20Cinderellas,%20more&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fmens%2Dcollege%2Dbasketball%2Fstory%2F_%2Fid%2F48236577)\n- [Print](https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=48236577)\n\n![Like](https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/content-reactions/heart-light-unfilled.png&h=80&w=80) LikeOpen Extended Reactions\n\n![Like](https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/content-reactions/heart-filled.png&h=80&w=80)![Fire](https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/content-reactions/fire.png&h=80&w=80)![Wow](https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/content-reactions/Wow.png&h=80&w=80)![Laugh](https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/content-reactions/funny.png&h=80&w=80)![Interesting](https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/content-reactions/eyes.png&h=80&w=80)![Celebrate](https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/content-reactions/celebrate.png&h=80&w=80)\n\n![Like](https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/content-reactions/heart-filled.png&h=80&w=80)1\n\n#### Reactions\n\n![Like](https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/content-reactions/heart-filled.png&h=80&w=80) Like\n\n1\n\nMuch like last season, the true national title contenders have separated themselves into a tier of their own entering the 2026 men's NCAA tournament.\n\nArizona and Michigan established themselves in the opening weeks of the season, and Duke definitively joined them after beating the Wolverines in Washington, D.C. in February. And, similar to last season, Florida surged in SEC play and has emerged as a clear threat to repeat its title.\n\nIn 2025, the tier break between the favorites and everyone else resulted in all four 1-seeds reaching the Final Four for the first time since 2008. Will that happen again?\n\nA repeat of that is statistically unlikely, but those four teams -- the top four at KenPom, Bart Torvik and in the NET with the most Quadrant 1 wins in the country -- were the only ones to receive multiple votes to win the national championship in our annual poll of 25 coaches and scouts.\n\nThe official vote tally:\n\n- **Arizona:** 12\n\n- **Duke:** 5\n\n- **Michigan:** 3\n\n- **Florida:** 2\n\n- **Houston:** 1\n\n- **Purdue:** 1\n\n- **UConn:** 1\n\n\nWe also asked coaches about the strengths and potential flaws of the top four contenders; whether St. John's or UConn has a deep run in them; the championship viability of preseason No. 1 Purdue; whether four trendy Cinderella picks can really make a run; and how far star freshmen could carry their teams.\n\n![](https://a.espncdn.com/i/mlb/infographics/greyline.png)\n\n## TOP FOUR CONTENDERS\n\n![](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/12.png&w=110&h=110)\n\n## [Arizona Wildcats](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/12/arizona-wildcats)\n\n**Strengths:** Arizona received the most votes to win the title after its run through the Big 12 tournament. The Wildcats are dominant in the paint and on the offensive glass, and they rank in the top five nationally in both off"
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{
  "content": "site: media \\| arena: collegebasketball \\| pageType: stories \\|\nsection: \\| slug: 2026-ncaa-tournament-cheat-sheet-stats-march-madness-history-bracket-picks \\| 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-cheat-sheet-stats-march-madness-history-bracket-picks/#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# Ultimate 2026 NCAA Tournament cheat sheet: March Madness stats and facts before you lock in your bracket picks\n\n## Did you finish your bracket? You shouldn't before scanning through Matt Norlander's annual cornucopia of goodies to get you ready for the Big Dance.\n\n[![            Matt Norlander     ](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2016/05/25/209ff976-7132-40b6-8249-fe6e874880dd/thumbnail/80x80/7dcb32c00a38632ae5830135b26c5202/mattnorlandermug.png)](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/matt-norlander/)\n\nBy\n[Matt Norlander](https://www.cbssports.com/writers/matt-norlander/)\n\n5 hrs ago\n•\n18 min read\n\n\n![stats2026coverstory.jpg](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2026/03/18/5c320daf-1876-43a5-a3b0-cd35d173ec87/thumbnail/770x433/b2c2b376a4cd5ca8d60f6ae83ce04df8/stats2026coverstory.jpg)Getty Images\n\nWelcome back to the happiest week of the year in sports. The bracket is set and so much lies ahead of us. What chaos and cacophony will this year's Big Dance bring?\n\nOver the next few days, we'll all find out together. That's a joyous thought.\n\nBefore you finalize your bracket picks, though, take a little time here to scroll the buffet of data I've once again culled for you. There are all sorts of individual, team, historical and trend-based stats baked into this annual story that, I hope, gets you that much more excited for the first round on Thursday. If it helps bring any more clarity to you as you overthink the process and invariably wreck your bracket, even better.\n\n_Clock is ticking for Brackets! Get back in your pools and enter our Bracket Challenge for your chance to_ **[_win a dream trip_](https://picks.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ncaa-tournament/bracket?ftag=CBS-03-10aed4f)** _to the 2027 Final FourⓇ._\n\nAs always, in addition to my own research, some supplementary stats were provided by CBS Sports' research team (a special thanks to our Nicky Nathanson this year), the NCAA, [KenPom.com](http://www.kenpom.com/), ESPN, Elias Sports, Sports Reference and [BartTorvik.com](http://www.barttorvik.com/).\n\nOnce again, with feeling, here are the statistics, facts and history to know before we begin the 2026 NCAA Tournament in earnest.\n\n- **Highest-scoring team:** [Alabama](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/BAMA/alabama-crimson-tide/) (91.7 points per game)\n\n- **Lowest-scoring team:** [Northern Iowa](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/NIOWA/northern-iowa-panthers/) (69.9 points per game)\n\n- **Fastest team:** Alabama (74.6 possessions per game)\n\n- **Slowest team:** Northern Iowa (63.4 possessions per game)\n\n- **Best free-throw shooting team:** [Saint Mary's (](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/MARYCA/saint-marys-gaels/) 81.1%)\n\n- **Worst free-throw shooting team:** LIU (66.8%)\n\n- **Best 3-point shooting team:** [Saint Louis](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/STLOU/saint-louis-billikens/) (40.5%)\n\n- **Worst 3-point shooting team:** [Siena](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/SIENA/siena-saints/) (30.4%)\n- **Most experienced team(s)**: [SMU](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/SMU/smu-mustangs/) and [Texas](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/teams/TEXAS/texas-longhorns/) (2.74 average seasons)\n- **Least experienced team**: Saint Mary's (0.74 a"
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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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{
  "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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