The 2026 NCAA Tournament is officially underway, and college basketball fans everywhere are bracing for another wild ride of upsets, buzzer-beaters, and bracket-busting drama. With both the men’s and women’s tournaments tipping off, March Madness fever is reaching a boiling point across the country. This year’s field is stacked with powerhouse programs, dangerous mid-majors, and a host of intriguing storylines that promise to keep fans glued to their screens from the First Four all the way to the championship games.
On the men’s side, the action began with the First Four games on March 17 and 18, setting the stage for the full 64-team bracket that started in earnest on March 19. Early predictions from the Southwest Times Record highlighted several must-watch first-round matchups, including Georgia vs. Saint Louis and Texas A&M vs. Saint Mary’s. Injury concerns for North Carolina have also put the Tar Heels on upset alert against VCU, while Ohio State and TCU kicked things off with a bang.
One of the biggest stories heading into the tournament is the impressive representation from the West Coast Conference. For the final time before their move to the Pac-12, Gonzaga enters the bracket as a No. 3 seed, joined by 7-seed Saint Mary’s and 10th-seeded Santa Clara. That’s three teams from the WCC, matching the total of the Big East and outpacing other mid-majors. The Atlantic 10 and Mid-American Conference each landed two teams in the field, further fueling the narrative that this year could see a non-power conference team make a deep run.
According to CBS Sports, the advanced computer model at SportsLine has simulated every game in the men’s tournament 10,000 times, and its track record is impressive. The model has nailed 25 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds since 2016, correctly picked all four Final Four teams last year, and beat over 91% of all CBS Sports brackets in four of the past seven tournaments. With this pedigree, bracket-pickers everywhere are turning to the model’s insights to gain an edge in their pools.
So what does the model say about this year’s bracket? For starters, it projects a first-round upset in the Midwest Region, with No. 9 Saint Louis knocking off No. 8 Georgia. The Bulldogs have struggled in recent tournaments, dropping five straight NCAA games—the third-longest active drought among power conference teams. Georgia’s defense has been especially porous, surrendering 79.2 points per game, its worst mark in more than half a century. Meanwhile, Saint Louis boasts one of the nation’s top offenses and is among just four teams ranked in the top five in both offensive and defensive effective field goal percentage, according to KenPom. The Billikens’ impressive +17.7 point differential suggests they could be primed for a Cinderella run.
Another upset pick comes in the second round, where No. 5 Texas Tech is favored over No. 4 Alabama. Texas Tech is missing star player JT Toppin due to a torn ACL, but the Red Raiders still pack a punch from beyond the arc, ranking fifth nationally with a 39.3% three-point shooting percentage. Alabama, on the other hand, allows a tournament-worst 83.5 points per game, raising serious questions about its ability to advance. Even with the return of former G-League player Charles Bediako for a brief five-game stint, the Crimson Tide’s defensive woes remain a glaring weakness. Texas Tech’s resume includes wins over top-2 seeds Duke, Houston, and Arizona, making them a dangerous opponent for anyone in their path.
Meanwhile, The Athletic’s comprehensive March Madness coverage is serving as a one-stop shop for fans seeking expert insights, betting advice, printable brackets, and team previews. Their “Big Board” features write-ups for every team in the men’s and women’s tournaments, along with tips for beginners filling out a bracket and strategic advice for winning bracket pools. The Athletic also spotlights key players to watch, such as Duke’s Cameron Boozer, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, and South Florida’s Izaiyah Nelson on the men’s side, as well as Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, TCU’s Olivia Miles, and Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes for the women.
Upset picks are always a hot topic, and this year is no exception. On the men’s side, McNeese, VCU, and High Point have been singled out as potential bracket-busters, while Nebraska is viewed as a threat to shake up the women’s bracket. The Athletic’s region-by-region analysis offers a deep dive into which favorites are most vulnerable and which underdogs are best positioned to play Cinderella. Historical trends suggest that picking the right upsets is key to climbing the bracket pool leaderboard, and fans are poring over stats and predictions in search of the next big stunner.
Turning to the women’s tournament, UConn and legendary coach Geno Auriemma claimed the No. 1 overall seed after a flawless 34-0 season, but UCLA wasn’t far behind at 31-1, earning the No. 2 overall seed. For the first time in five years, there was a heated debate over which team deserved the top spot. SEC powers Texas and South Carolina rounded out the No. 1 seeds, with LSU, Vanderbilt, Iowa, and Michigan holding down the No. 2 lines. Many experts are projecting a “chalk” Final Four of UConn, South Carolina, Texas, and UCLA, but as always, upsets could throw a wrench into those plans.
Predictions from The Advertiser highlight possible early-round shockers, such as No. 12 Murray State upsetting No. 5 Maryland and No. 11 South Dakota State knocking off No. 6 Washington. There’s also a bold call for No. 4 West Virginia to topple No. 1 Texas in the Sweet 16. As the women’s field narrows, the stage is set for another classic showdown between UConn and UCLA, with the Bruins projected to win their first-ever NCAA women’s basketball national championship by dethroning the Huskies in the title game.
Back on the men’s side, the Southwest Times Record’s bracket picks forecast a Final Four featuring Arizona, Michigan, Houston, and Michigan State, with Arizona taking home its first national title since 1997. The Wildcats’ blend of depth, size, and NBA-caliber talent could prove too much for the competition, but as March Madness history shows, anything can happen once the games begin.
As the 2026 NCAA tournaments unfold, fans can expect plenty of twists, turns, and unforgettable moments. With expert models, in-depth analysis, and a bevy of talented teams and players, the only certainty is that March Madness will once again live up to its name. Whether you’re rooting for a blue blood, a mid-major, or the ultimate Cinderella, the journey to the Final Four promises to be a rollercoaster from start to finish.