The race to the NCAA Tournament championship has hit the Elite Eight. Follow along as theScore hi...

The race to the NCAA Tournament championship has hit the Elite Eight. Follow along as theScore highlights key takeaways from the regional finals and what the results mean moving for the Final Four.<h3>Michigan is a wagon again</h3>CBS probably should have aired a parental advisory warning for Tennessee fans during Sunday's broadcast. Nobody on Rocky Top needed to be subjected to watching what Michigan did in the opening half of the Elite Eight game.The Wolverines took any chance of an upset and stuffed it into a locker early, ripping off a 34-10 run to end the half, which built a 22-point edge. The most stunning thing about the performance is that it kind of flattered Tennessee. The Volunteers pulled down 11 offensive rebounds in the first half, leading to 10 second-chance points. That's really the only thing that kept the deficit from being 30 at the break.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>But it only got worse for Tennessee in the second as Michigan finished off a 33-point blowout - the biggest in the Elite Eight since 1989.The Wolverines made earning double-digit victories look incredibly easy all season, a theme that helped them rise to the top spot in the AP Poll. Sixteen of their 19 conference wins came by at least 10 points. However, that dominance dried up in the Big Ten tourney, where Michigan beat Ohio State by four and Wisconsin by three before falling to Purdue in the conference title game. Had the other top teams in the country caught up?Absolutely not. The Wolverines' performance in the NCAA Tournament thus far has squashed that notion. They're now flying into the Final Four with a ridiculous 22.5-point average margin of victory over four outings. Michigan is the first team to score at least 90 points in the first four games of a tournament since 1995.Up next is one of the most anticipated NCAA Tournament games in recent memory: No. 1 seed Michigan vs. No. 1 seed Arizona for a spot in the national title game.Get your popcorn ready.<h3>Elite Eight once again a roadblock for Barnes</h3>With 861 wins in his 39-year career, Rick Barnes is undoubtedly one of the best coaches in college basketball ... just not in the Elite Eight. Barnes' teams making the regional final has become as much a guarantee as anything in the sport, as Tennessee has reached that round each of the last three years. But that's where the fun ends. Michigan's blowout win Sunday makes three straight losses for Tennessee when there's a Final Four berth on the line.Barnes aiming for the Final Four has become akin to Charlie Brown <a href="https://tenor.com/omWDY30T49l.gif">attempting to kick a football</a>.The consistent defeats are one thing, but the last two years, Tennessee hasn't even been competitive when the chance to win a region dawns. In 2025, the Volunteers scored just 15 points in the opening half of their Elite Eight matchup with Houston, creating a 19-point deficit. This time out, it was somehow worse, with a 22-point deficit staring them in the face as they retreated to the locker room.Tennessee once again looked completely unprepared after a quick turnaround and seemed overwhelmed in almost every facet of the game. Its offense made a dreadful 31.8% of its field-goal attempts on the day, with almost zero easy looks to be found. And its defense simply couldn't stop Michigan without fouling, resulting in 37 free-throw attempts for the Wolverines.Barnes is thriving in the NIL and transfer portal era, and Tennessee has plenty to be excited about in the near future. But that won't lessen the blow of Sunday's shortcomings. If once is random and twice is a coincidence, then the Volunteers' third straight Elite Eight loss is indicative of a troubling trend.Saturday games<h3>Big bad Illinois owns 2nd half</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827033/cropped_GettyImages-2255836098.jpg?ts=1773847417" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827033/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255836098.jpg?ts=1773847417 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827033/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255836098.jpg?ts=1773847417 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827033/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255836098.jpg?ts=1773847417 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827033/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255836098.jpg?ts=1773847417 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827033/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255836098.jpg?ts=1773847417 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>For as complex as basketball can be, sometimes it just comes down to which team has giants on the court and which doesn't. Brad Underwood unleashed Illinois' giants Saturday, and it led the program to its first Final Four berth since 2005.Five Illini players saw at least 12 minutes of action in the second half, with the shortest being 6-foot-6 Keaton Wagler. Underwood leaned heavily on his team's size advantage, opting to play Andrej Stojakovic at shooting guard for most of the frame. The result: an outrageous 24-2 edge in points in the paint during that 20-minute session.Illinois made its last 10 2-point attempts, going the final 14:02 without missing a shot inside the arc. Iowa simply had no answer for the Illini's interior presence.<h3>Wagler shows why he's lottery bound</h3>Wagler might be the sixth or seventh most notable name among this year's elite freshman class, but the Illinois star may end up being the last one standing in the NCAA Tournament. The point guard unleashed his full bag of tricks versus the Hawkeyes as part of a 25-point effort.Wagler's tight handle and elite outside shooting make for a vicious combo; just ask Iowa's Isaia Howard, who slid about 12 feet on this absurd step-back triple.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
brb gonna watch this Keaton Wagler stepback for a while <a href="https://t.co/vptIQOJ1kj">pic.twitter.com/vptIQOJ1kj</a>— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsCBB/status/2038041257306472942?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Although Wagler is right-handed and likes to predominantly drive on that side of the basket, he's got enough juice going left to keep the defense honest.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
SCOOP-AND-SCORE! What a finish from Wagler. <a href="https://t.co/WChGFsKwBf">pic.twitter.com/WChGFsKwBf</a>— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsCBB/status/2038038194470388213?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The game was a halfcourt battle throughout, as the teams combined for just six fast-break points in the entire contest. Wagler played nearly the whole game, only sitting for a brief two-minute stretch, and he had the ball in his hands virtually every possession. Despite the considerable usage, he turned the ball over just two times.The win is certainly the most important thing to Wagler, but he surely made some NBA money with Saturday's performance.<h3>Iowa almost did it again</h3>We discussed Iowa's narrow path to victory earlier this week, and somehow Ben McCollum's team almost pulled it off once again. The Hawkeyes' glacial pace ranks 361st out of 365 Division I teams. That's no secret, and every opponent knows that going into the contest. Yet, McCollum consistently puts Iowa in position to dictate games on its own terms. That was the case once again in the opening half versus Illinois.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
In each of Iowa's first three NCAA tournament games, the Hawkeyes have forced opponents into their slowest-tempo game of the season. 54 possessions were Clemson's fewest, 61 was Florida's fewest, 60 tied for Nebraska's fewest. Illinois now on track for its fewest possessions.— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffborzello/status/2038030772381089861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Yes, the dream may have died in the second half as a result of Illinois' incredibly efficient offense, but you have to applaud the Hawkeyes for making the heavily favored Illini play their way.McCollum should undoubtedly be mentioned among the top coaches in the country following Iowa's unlikely tournament run in his first season with the team. Its wins over Florida and Nebraska showed that he can maximize his roster as well as anyone.Expect McCollum to be a staple of March Madness going forward, regardless of who makes up his roster year over year.<h3>Arizona joins paint party</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828534/cropped_GettyImages-2268379873.jpg?ts=1774757598" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828534/w220xh124_GettyImages-2268379873.jpg?ts=1774757598 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828534/w320xh180_GettyImages-2268379873.jpg?ts=1774757598 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828534/w640xh360_GettyImages-2268379873.jpg?ts=1774757598 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828534/w768xh432_GettyImages-2268379873.jpg?ts=1774757598 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/828534/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2268379873.jpg?ts=1774757598 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bob Drebin / NCAA Photos / Getty</figcaption></figure>Saturday's paint party wasn't exclusive to the South Region; Arizona joined Illinois in the club with a dominant interior performance of its own versus Purdue. But despite the Wildcats' 40-22 edge in points in the paint eventually resulting in a comfortable victory, it was far from a relaxing evening in the West Region.An eight-point deficit at halftime of an NCAA Tournament game shouldn't be cause for concern for a program as talented as Arizona. Yet, the Wildcats had never won a tournament game when trailing by more than six at half. Armed with that knowledge, many would have panicked at the 38-31 deficit through 20 minutes Saturday.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Arizona trails 38-31 at the half. Wildcats are 2-14 all-time when losing by 5+ at half in NCAA Tournament. The wins: 93-77 vs Duke 2011 Sweet 16 (down 6) 79-67 vs South Florida 1990 R1 (down 5)— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshDubowAP/status/2038075403282338083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Tommy Lloyd was not one of those people. At halftime, the Arizona coach <a href="https://x.com/TNTSportsUS/status/2038092986504876540?s=20">told</a> his players, "We're fine." That proved to be the understatement of the tournament thus far. Like a rocket ship leaving its launch pad, the Wildcats took off in the second half, outscoring Purdue by 22 points en route to their first Final Four since 2001.Arizona's ability to deliver elite offensive performances without relying on 3-pointers makes it an incredibly tough team to beat in March. On Thursday, the Wildcats exploded for 109 points versus Arkansas despite making just five triples. To put up triple digits in a 40-minute game without more than a handful of 3-pointers is almost unfathomable in modern basketball. Only 20% of Arizona's points on the season have come from deep. That percentage ranks 360th among 365 teams.<h3>Fouls doom Purdue</h3>Fouls are almost always a hot topic around Purdue - especially with the added scrutiny of the NCAA Tournament - and Trey Kaufman-Renn usually plays a part in those conversations. The senior forward is one of the hardest frontcourt players to guard, largely because of his physicality and ability to get calls. He once again earned whistles Saturday, but they mostly went against him as he struggled with Arizona's size.One of the major turning points in the contest was Kaufman-Renn's disastrous start to the second half. He was called for his third foul while battling for the ball 90 feet from the basket, forcing him to sit down for a four-minute break. An immediate 11-4 run for Arizona ensued.Kaufman-Renn had to be careful the rest of the way, tiptoeing around potential fouls on the defensive end. While it's unlikely anybody could have stopped the Wildcats' paint attack, the Boilermakers being limited by one of their bigs avoiding contact certainly didn't help.The senior star played just 23 minutes due to the foul issues, a significant drop from the previous two rounds when he saw 36 and 35 minutes of action, respectively.

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Elite Eight takeaways: Nobody dominates like Michigan

An electric Sweet 16 has made way for a very intriguing Elite Eight, which includes a healthy mix...

An electric Sweet 16 has made way for a very intriguing Elite Eight, which includes a healthy mix of powerhouse programs and surprise squads.An all-Big Ten affair gets the round going at 6:09 p.m. ET on Saturday when No. 9 seed Iowa faces No. 3 seed Illinois. The night cap promises to be a high-scoring affair, with the electric offensive attacks of 2-seed Purdue and 1-seed Arizona facing off.The Sunday doubleheader will feature two different top seeds eyeing a spot in the Final Four. No. 1 seed Michigan will battle with No. 6 seed Tennessee, while 1-seed Duke gets the late game against 2-seed UConn.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Saturday tip times (ET)</h3>9 Iowa vs. 3 Illinois - 6:09 p.m. 2 Purdue vs. 1 Arizona - 8:49 p.m.<h3>Sunday tip times (ET)</h3>6 Tennessee vs. 1 Michigan - 2:15 p.m. 2 UConn vs. 1 Duke - 5:05 p.m.

IOWA CITY, IA - JANUARY 11: Guard Andrej Stojakovic #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini talks with guard Bennett Stirtz #14 of the Iowa Hawkeyes as they walk off the court following their match-up on January 11, 2026 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, in Iowa City, Iowa.

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Elite Eight tip times set: Iowa-Illinois leads regional finals 

The race to the NCAA Tournament championship has hit the Sweet 16. Follow along as theScore highl...

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Sweet 16 takeaways: Duke's zone works, Hurley is Mr. March

The stage is set for the Sweet 16 after a dramatic Sunday finished off an exciting opening four d...

The stage is set for the Sweet 16 after a dramatic Sunday finished off an exciting opening four days of action in the NCAA Tournament. Now that we've had a couple of days to digest the early results, it's time to re-rank the remaining teams before the regional semifinals tip off.<h3>16. Texas</h3>Texas became just the sixth team ever to go from the First Four to the Sweet 16, and the team had to travel from Dayton, Ohio, to Portland, Oregon. However, we need to pour some cold water on the achievement based on the Longhorns' opposition:<ul>
<li>NC State, which was 2-8 in its last 10</li>
<li>A BYU squad that was 4-5 since losing Richie Saunders</li>
<li>The worst 3-point shooting team Mark Few's ever had at Gonzaga</li>
</ul>Texas' run has been impressive, but the jump in competition to No. 2 Purdue on Thursday might be too steep.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>15. Iowa</h3>Fresh off a stunning upset of Florida, Iowa sits at No. 15 in the Sweet 16. Some may take that as a sign of disrespect, but instead consider it a shoutout to Ben McCollum's incredible coaching versus the Gators. Yes, Florida's ridiculous strategy and execution at the finish may have helped his cause, but McCollum's Hawkeyes had the defending champs off guard the entire game.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Iowa held Florida to nine transition points, its third-lowest of the entire season. Iowa also held Florida to 30 points at the rim, its third-lowest mark in 2026. Florida is No. 3 nationally in rim points and No. 18 in transition points. A true Ben McCollum special. <a href="https://t.co/MlWveTvde6">https://t.co/MlWveTvde6</a>— Matthew Winick (@matthewwinick) <a href="https://twitter.com/matthewwinick/status/2036102121292964052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Don't be shocked if McCollum's group books an Elite Eight spot - they've already beaten Sweet 16 foe Nebraska this season.<h3>14. Tennessee</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827635/cropped_GettyImages-2267496776.jpg?ts=1774225705" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827635/w220xh124_GettyImages-2267496776.jpg?ts=1774225705 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827635/w320xh180_GettyImages-2267496776.jpg?ts=1774225705 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827635/w640xh360_GettyImages-2267496776.jpg?ts=1774225705 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827635/w768xh432_GettyImages-2267496776.jpg?ts=1774225705 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827635/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2267496776.jpg?ts=1774225705 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ben Solomon / NCAA Photos / Getty</figcaption></figure>After stomping out the upset chances of America's darling, Miami (Ohio), in the opening round, Tennessee's backcourt led the way to oust No. 3 Virginia on Sunday. Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Bishop Boswell combined for 34 points, 15 assists, and just three turnovers in the win. That duo will need to be even better in the 40 minutes of hell that is any game versus the swarming Iowa State defense.<h3>13. Nebraska</h3>Nebraska might have been the story of opening weekend with arguably the loudest fans we've seen so far in the tournament. The Cornhuskers finally won the first NCAA Tournament game in the program's lengthy history and added a Sweet 16 berth with a victory over Vanderbilt. Sure, the Cornhuskers got a major assist from perhaps the cruelest rim in the world - which denied the Commodores' Tyler Tanner and his potential 65-foot winner - but Fred Hoiberg's team just needs a victory over familiar foe Iowa to reach the Elite Eight.<h3>12. Arkansas</h3>Arkansas will go as far as Darius Acuff Jr. takes it. Perhaps no player left in the tournament plays a larger role for his team. The electric point guard is averaging 30 points and 6.5 rebounds in the tourney so far. Whether he can maintain that pace against a significant jump in competition is the biggest question facing John Calipari. The Razorbacks' path thus far has been as smooth as it gets, giving them matchups with No. 13 Hawaii and No. 12 High Point - both outside the top 80 in KenPom. Now, it's No. 1 Arizona's turn to try to slow down Acuff and take out Arkansas.<h3>11. UConn</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826409/cropped_GettyImages-2266540045.jpg?ts=1774406076" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826409/w220xh124_GettyImages-2266540045.jpg?ts=1774406076 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826409/w320xh180_GettyImages-2266540045.jpg?ts=1774406076 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826409/w640xh360_GettyImages-2266540045.jpg?ts=1774406076 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826409/w768xh432_GettyImages-2266540045.jpg?ts=1774406076 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826409/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2266540045.jpg?ts=1774406076 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Sarah Stier / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Death, taxes, and UConn making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Dan Hurley has become as much of a March staple as St. Patrick's Day. The Huskies are in the Sweet 16 essentially because of an outrageous two-game performance by Tarris Reed Jr. and the sharpshooting of Alex Karaban.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Tarris Reed Jr. ends up with 41 points and 40 rebounds this weekend in Philadelphia—the first player to go 40-40 the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament since Tim Duncan in 1997.— Jared Berson (@JaredBerson) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaredBerson/status/2035921601464533382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Unfortunately for UConn, everyone on the roster besides Karaban is ice-cold from beyond the arc, shooting just 15.2% from distance. Reed has been able to grab the board on a high number of those misses, but that will become significantly harder against the nation's third-best rebounding team, Michigan State.<h3>10. Alabama</h3>No Aden Holloway, no problem. Alabama hasn't missed a beat without its second-leading scorer; in fact, points have been the furthest thing from the issue for the Crimson Tide. The 3-pointer might as well have been a layup for Alabama in the Round of 32 as the Tide hit 19 in the win - the third-most threes all time in an NCAA Tournament game. That will be difficult to replicate against Michigan and the nation's 30th-ranked 3-point defense. The Wolverines also hold a major size advantage, so Alabama likely needs another lights-out shooting performance to advance.<h3>9. St. John's</h3>A buzzer-beater put St. John's in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999, but the Red Storm were fairly dominant in 75 of their 80 minutes of action this tournament. While a late-game collapse versus Kansas made the dramatic winner necessary, Rick Pitino must be fairly pleased with his team on the whole. The challenge doesn't get easier in the Sweet 16 with Duke on deck, although the Blue Devils look vulnerable without Caleb Foster.<h3>8. Michigan State</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824880/cropped_GettyImages-2263754857.jpg?ts=1772769007" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824880/w220xh124_GettyImages-2263754857.jpg?ts=1772769007 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824880/w320xh180_GettyImages-2263754857.jpg?ts=1772769007 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824880/w640xh360_GettyImages-2263754857.jpg?ts=1772769007 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824880/w768xh432_GettyImages-2263754857.jpg?ts=1772769007 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824880/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2263754857.jpg?ts=1772769007 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The Spartans' brand of basketball isn't always pretty, but Michigan State's toughness has once again made it a difficult opponent in March. The main question is whether the Spartans can score enough to handle a top opponent. Coen Carr took care of that in the Round of 32, pouring in 21 points to fall just one shy of his career best. The vast majority of those points came on passes from Jeremy Fears Jr., who surpassed Magic Johnson for most assists in a tourney game for Michigan State. That duo will need to carry the load once again versus UConn.<h3>7. Purdue</h3>Purdue managed to overcome an eight-turnover showing by star guard Braden Smith in the Round of 32, mainly thanks to an absurd 57% shooting performance from deep. That's likely not sustainable, but it's also almost unfathomable that Smith would be so careless with the ball again. The bracket's been very favorable for the Boilermakers, giving them a Sweet 16 date with No. 11 Texas.<h3>6. Duke</h3>Yes, we've put the No. 1 overall seed in the entire tournament in the sixth slot. While full-strength Duke is a No. 1 seed, the version without Caleb Foster isn't the same. The Blue Devils pulled away from TCU in a strong second half over the weekend, but for three of four periods of basketball this tournament, they've severely underwhelmed. If they do that again versus St. John's, Jon Scheyer's team will make an early exit.<h3>5. Illinois</h3>Illinois has enjoyed a fairly stress-free experience through two rounds with No. 14 Penn and No. 11 VCU not providing much resistance. However, a Sweet 16 matchup against No. 2 Houston in an essential home game is going to hit like a sucker punch from behind. The Fighting Illini's offense is as efficient as it gets, with endless options that can beat opponents both in the paint and from the outside. But can Illinois handle the intense physicality Houston brings on a possession-by-possession basis?<h3>4. Iowa State</h3>Iowa State has been one of the best teams through two rounds of March Madness, and that's without star Joshua Jefferson. The Cyclones won their first two games by an average of 26.5 points and held Kentucky to just 63 in the last round. Jefferson looks likely to return to the lineup against Tennessee, but even if he doesn't, this team is more than capable of winning it all.<h3>3. Arizona</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826605/cropped_GettyImages-2245843806.jpg?ts=1773627597" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826605/w220xh124_GettyImages-2245843806.jpg?ts=1773627597 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826605/w320xh180_GettyImages-2245843806.jpg?ts=1773627597 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826605/w640xh360_GettyImages-2245843806.jpg?ts=1773627597 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826605/w768xh432_GettyImages-2245843806.jpg?ts=1773627597 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826605/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2245843806.jpg?ts=1773627597 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>Arizona's second-round win over Utah State happened at roughly the same time Iowa was stunning Florida, so the Wildcats' advance has been fairly quiet. Their defense has been particularly stout through two rounds, holding both opponents below 70 points. That will be much harder to do with Acuff and Arkansas on tap, but the Wildcats' supreme depth should be able to wear the Razorbacks' star down.<h3>2. Houston</h3>Kelvin Sampson is reminding us that nobody bullies an opponent like his Houston squad.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Houston is the 4th team since 1985 expansion to win by 30+ points in the Round of 64 and Round of 32, joining 2008 UNC, 1999 Duke, and 1998 Arizona. The Cougars have now posted 30+ wins in each of the last 5 seasons, tied for the longest streak in Division I history.— Jared Berson (@JaredBerson) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaredBerson/status/2035516661894160849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The Cougars' reward for two blowout wins is the friendliest setting for any team in the second weekend. Houston gets virtual home games in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, with the city hosting the regional semis and finals at the Rockets' arena just 4 miles from campus. That raucous atmosphere will be helpful as the swarming defense looks to slow down the electric Illinois offense.<h3>1. Michigan</h3>Michigan looked like the best team in the country for most of the season, so it's no surprise the Wolverines enter the Sweet 16 in our No. 1 spot. Dusty May's offense is rolling, putting up an average of 98 points per game through two rounds. That's likely to continue in a Sweet 16 matchup versus Alabama and the second-worst defense left in the tournament.

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Sweet 16 rankings: Duke drops, Houston rises

North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis will not return next season, the school announced Tuesday....

North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis will not return next season, the school announced Tuesday. Davis informed his team of his departure on Tuesday night, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48300016/source-hubert-davis-fired-north-carolina-hoops-coach">ESPN's Pete Thamel</a>. The 55-year-old reportedly has around $5.3 million of guaranteed money left on his contract."We appreciate all that Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach and community leader – he has helped make special memories we will never forget," North Carolina's athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a <a href="https://goheels.com/news/2026/3/24/carolina-athletics-announces-leadership-change-in-mens-basketball-program">statement</a>. <div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"This was not an easy decision because of Hubert's tremendous character and all he has given to the program, but we must move forward in a way that allows our team to compete more consistently at an elite level."The change comes five days after the 6-seed Tar Heels blew a 19-point second-half lead and eventually fell to No. 11 seed VCU in the opening round. The result marks the second straight season that North Carolina exited the NCAA Tournament in the Round of 64.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thank you for everything Coach Davis, one of the best men and coaches in my life.— Caleb Wilson (@CalebWilson2025) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalebWilson2025/status/2036618518397923423?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Davis' tenure began in explosive fashion as North Carolina stormed through the tournament to reach the 2022 national championship game before losing to Kansas.However, that would be the Tar Heels' peak in five years under Davis. They entered the 2022-23 campaign ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Poll but ended up missing the tournament entirely, becoming the first program to do so.North Carolina rebounded the following year en route to snagging a No. 1 seed, though it wound up losing in the Sweet 16. The team then posted a combined 47-23 mark over the past two seasons.While Davis' coaching record alone may not warrant his departure, the manner in which North Carolina suffered significant losses was alarming, as his teams struggled mightily to hold leads. The program is 48-2 all time in the NCAA Tournament when leading by at least 10 points at half, with both defeats coming under Davis.The Tar Heels will do an open search and plan to actively pursue candidates outside of the program, according to <a href="https://x.com/JonRothstein/status/2036609538254581910?s=20">CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein</a>. This would end a 74-year period of hiring coaches who were previously on the staff, which spans the tenures of Frank McGuire, Dean Smith, Bill Guthridge, Matt Doherty, and Roy Williams.

CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 15: North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis adjusts his jacket during the college basketball game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the California Golden Bears on January 15, 2025 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC.

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Hubert Davis won't return as North Carolina's coach

"Gonzaga! The slipper still fits!"  For college basketball fans over the age of 30, Gus Johnson s...

"<a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/7V9c7Hqj7uE?si=LSl2HWATF4JH0mkV">Gonzaga! The slipper still fits!</a>"For college basketball fans over the age of 30, Gus Johnson screaming those words as Gonzaga upset Florida in 1999 likely cemented your fandom of the NCAA Tournament.One of the main draws of the annual event is the possibility of underdog teams comprised of future insurance salesmen and financial analysts knocking off one of the nation's top programs. Sure, it's great watching eventual NBA lottery picks drop 25 points in the postseason, but that pales in comparison to fans falling in love with dudes like Ali Farokhmanesh, T.J. Sorrentine, and Jack Gohlke.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>However, the clock has seemingly struck midnight for Cinderella at the NCAA Tournament, as this year's chalk-heavy results mark two consecutive opening rounds in which the underdogs have lacked serious bite.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The top four seeds in each region went 4-0 in the round of 64 for the second straight year and for the seventh time since expansion in 1985. The other times were 1994, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2017 and 2025.— David Worlock (@DavidWorlock) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidWorlock/status/2035216016339325117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>This year, the top seeds didn't just win in the first round. They put the mid-majors in a headlock and little brother'd them for 40 minutes. The average margin of victory in the Round of 64 was 17.4 points per game - the highest since the tournament expanded in 1985, according to <a href="https://x.com/JoshDubowAP/status/2035374644283494493?s=20">Josh Dubow of the Associated Press</a>. The second-largest margin? Last year.For the second tournament in a row, not a single team seeded 13-16 won its opening-round game. That only happened once between 2008 and 2024, but it's now become the norm.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This is only the second time in NCAA tournament history where the Sweet 16 is made up entirely of teams from major conferences. The only other time? Last year. <a href="https://t.co/v8gwFtJk5o">https://t.co/v8gwFtJk5o</a>— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffborzello/status/2035935148336611786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The shortage of upsets has left Texas - the nation's most valuable athletic department - to play the role of plucky underdog as the only double-digit seed remaining.The only other option comes in the form of Iowa after the 9th-seeded Hawkeyes stunned No. 1 Florida on Sunday. However, Iowa hails from the Big Ten and is playing in its 8th NCAA Tournament in the last 13 years. Not exactly the resume of past tourney darlings.So, what happened to Cinderella?There are a number of reasons for the underdog's downfall: NIL, the transfer portal, conference realignment, and evolution in the style of play as major programs lean on size. They've blended together to make life as a mid-major harder than ever.Larger programs that are backed by a significant bankroll essentially pluck promising players from their smaller counterparts at a moment's notice.Donovan Dent, for example, put up 17 points and eight assists to lead New Mexico past UCLA in November 2024. This year, he guided the Bruins to the tournament after transferring in the offseason. Most of us would gladly take more money to perform the same job elsewhere, so why not do so in the land of college basketball?Many former Cinderellas, such as George Mason, Butler, and Loyola Chicago, opted to switch conferences soon after making a deep tournament run, and the heightened competition has since resulted in consistent tournament absences for each. Even Florida Atlantic has dropped off substantially after its stunning Final Four run in 2023. The Owls, who, by then, had already announced their impending move to the American Conference, lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament the following season and are barely .500 over the last two years.Those moves haven't just weakened the teams who fled. They've also diminished the quality of their former conferences, which are now sending less-skilled teams to March Madness as their respective league champions.Florida won the national title last year by relying heavily on its massive frontcourt, a trend that's become more popular among the top programs in recent years."When you have the opportunity to recruit bigger, stronger, faster athletes and play a style that allows you to raise your floor with high two-point field-goal percentage and get on the glass, that just gives you a better chance to be consistently successful," Gators coach Todd Golden told <a href="https://www.si.com/college-basketball/is-this-the-end-of-cinderella-in-mens-march-madness">Kevin Sweeney of Sports Illustrated</a>. OK, so we're all bummed that Cinderella is an endangered species, but the underdog's downfall isn't all bad. The trade-off of losing some early-round upsets is the possibility of incredible basketball happening as the tournament progresses.The dirty little secret with Cinderellas is that the longer they stick around, the greater chance there is that you'll eventually get a stinker when they come crashing back down to earth. As more high-level teams make it through the early portions of the tournament, the subsequent rounds stand to feature a serious dose of talent.Last year's tourney was filled with bangers from the Sweet 16 and onward, as five contests ended up being one-possession games, including the enthralling national championship between Florida and Houston.With those atop the KenPom rankings taking most of the spots in the Sweet 16 once again, we're set for another blockbuster finish to a tournament that killed Cinderella early.This may not be the NCAA Tournament we grew up with, but it remains one of the best events on the sports calendar every single year.

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Cinderella's on life support in NCAA Tournament

The brackets are set, the action has tipped off, and March Madness has officially arrived. Follow...

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Round of 32 takeaways: Iowa beats Florida's shocking press

The opening-weekend dust has cleared and a blockbuster Sweet 16 awaits next Thursday and Friday i...

The opening-weekend dust has cleared and a blockbuster Sweet 16 awaits next Thursday and Friday in the NCAA Tournament.No. 11 Texas looks to continue its run from the First Four in the opener on Thursday against No. 2 Purdue, while an intriguing matchup between No. 3 Illinois and No. 2 Houston caps the evening action.Friday sees a highly anticipated contest start the action as Rick Pitino and No. 5 St. John's squares off with No. 1 Duke at 7:10 p.m ET. The late-night slate sees some coaching star power with No. 2 UConn getting No. 3 Michigan State at 9:45 p.m.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Here's the full list of tip times for the Sweet 16.<h3>Thursday (all times ET)</h3>11 Texas vs. 2 Purdue - 7:10 p.m. 9 Iowa vs. 4 Nebraska - 7:30 p.m. 4 Arkansas vs. 1 Arizona - 9:45 p.m. 3 Illinois vs. 2 Houston - 10:05 p.m.<h3>Friday (all times ET)</h3>5 St. John's vs. 1 Duke - 7:10 p.m. 4 Alabama vs. 1 Michigan - 7:35 p.m. 2 UConn vs. 3 Michigan State - 9:45 p.m. 6 Tennessee vs. 2 Iowa State - 10:10 p.m.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Head coach Rick Pitino of the St. John's Red Storm looks on against the Kansas Jayhawks during the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California.

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Duke vs. St. John's Friday matchup headlines Sweet 16 tip times

Syracuse is turning to one of its legendary former players to lead the program back to prominence...

Syracuse is turning to one of its legendary former players to lead the program back to prominence.The Orange are working to hire Gerry McNamara as their new head coach, sources told <a href="https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/2035775723605024980?s=20">Pete Thamel of ESPN</a>.McNamara led Siena to the NCAA Tournament, where the 16-seed Saints narrowly fell to No. 1 overall seed Duke on Thursday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>McNamara played for Syracuse from 2002-06. He won a national championship with the program in 2003 and remains its all-time leader in 3-pointers. He also served as an assistant coach under longtime coach Jim Boeheim from 2009-23.McNamara, who became Siena's head coach in 2024, transformed the program in just two years at the helm. After inheriting a team that had won just four games the year prior, he guided the Saints back to the NCAA Tournament this season for the first time since 2010. A similar revival will be required at Syracuse, which last made the tournament in 2021.The Orange went 49-48 in three seasons under former head coach Adrian Autry, whom the team fired on March 11.

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 19: Head coach Gerry McNamara of the Siena Saints looks on during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina.

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Report: Syracuse working to hire program legend McNamara as coach

A blockbuster coaching matchup headlines Sunday's Round of 32 games, with No. 4 Kansas and Bill S...

A blockbuster coaching matchup headlines Sunday's Round of 32 games, with No. 4 Kansas and Bill Self squaring off against No. 5 St. John's and Rick Pitino.That contest, slated for 5:15 p.m. ET, will be the third tip time of the day, while No. 7 Miami and No. 2 Purdue start the schedule at 12:10 p.m.Two different 1-versus-9 matchups will feature in the night window, with Florida facing Iowa, and Arizona getting Utah State.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Sunday tip times (ET)</h3>7 Miami vs. 2 Purdue - 12:10 p.m. 7 Kentucky vs. 2 Iowa State - 2:45 p.m. 5 St. John's vs. 4 Kansas - 5:15 p.m. 6 Tennessee vs. 3 Virginia - 6:10 p.m. 9 Iowa vs. 1 Florida - 7:10 p.m. 9 Utah State vs. 1 Arizona - 7:50 p.m. 7 UCLA vs. 2 UConn - 8:45 p.m. 5 Texas Tech vs. 4 Alabama - 9:45 p.m.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Head coach Rick Pitino of the St. John's Red Storm makes adjustments during the second half of the game against the Northern Iowa Panthers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 20, 2026 in San Diego, California.

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Pitino vs. Self battle headlines Sunday matchups

Florida began its national title defense with a dominant performance for the ages Friday, beating...

Florida began its national title defense with a dominant performance for the ages Friday, beating Prairie View A&amp;M 114-55 to set a new record for the largest margin ever in a 1-versus-16 matchup.The 59-point gap stands as the second-biggest margin in NCAA Tournament history, trailing only a 69-point win by Loyola Chicago over Tennessee Tech in 1963, before the event expanded to 64 teams.Prairie View A&amp;M has now endured two of the three biggest losses in March Madness history, with a 58-point defeat to Kansas in 1998 ranking third all-time.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Friday's massive 35.5-point spread was no sweat for the Gators, as the SEC powerhouse covered that number by halftime. Florida showcased its depth in the contest, with 13 players scoring and seven reaching double digits.

TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 20: Alex Condon #21 of the Florida Gators dunks the ball against Corey Dunning #4 of the Prairie View A&M Panthers during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.

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Florida crushes Prairie View A&M by record margin in NCAA Tournament opener

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Round 1 takeaways: Reed's Shaq-like dominance paces UConn

Villanova's NCAA Tournament run ended just hours ago with a loss to Utah State, but coach Kevin W...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/teams/1145" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/teams/1145">Villanova</a>'s NCAA Tournament run ended just hours ago with a loss to Utah State, but coach Kevin Willard remains a talking point late into the night Friday.Willard went viral during the game for an interview in which he told Lauren Shehadi he would fire his staff due to the Wildcats' poor interior defense.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"The only thing I'm gonna do is fire them and get a new staff." Kevin Willard is NOT happy with Villanova's start vs. Utah State. 😬 <a href="https://t.co/kTT8wYK82B">pic.twitter.com/kTT8wYK82B</a>— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/TNTSportsUS/status/2035096119768727848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Willard briefly doubled down about making staff changes in his postgame press conference, only to clarify that he was joking. When told the exchange had gained traction online, the coach made his feelings clear.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I don't care. Welcome to my life. It's a joke," Willard <a href="https://x.com/TNTSportsUS/status/2035140612328976672?s=20">said</a>.Willard's anger might not have been surprising, as Villanova crumbled down the stretch to allow a Utah State comeback victory. Despite the Wildcats making 14 of 30 triples to the Aggies' two, they ultimately lost by double digits, primarily because Utah State held a 42-26 scoring edge in the paint.The loss ended Willard's first season with Villanova after he made the move from Maryland last year.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Head coach Kevin Willard of the Villanova Wildcats gestures during the first half against the Utah State Aggies in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 20, 2026 in San Diego, California.

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Villanova's Willard clarifies 'fire my staff' comment was a joke

It'll be tough for the rest of the NCAA Tournament to top Friday's opening game between No. 7 Ken...

It'll be tough for the rest of the NCAA Tournament to top Friday's opening game between No. 7 Kentucky and No. 10 Santa Clara.Otega Oweh forced overtime with a banked 3-pointer for Kentucky as time expired in regulation, and the Wildcats eventually emerged victorious in the extra session.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
NO. WAY. 😱 WE'RE GOING TO OVERTIME!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://t.co/3n8rDxkY3h">pic.twitter.com/3n8rDxkY3h</a>— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB/status/2035058176375017653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Oweh's shot came on the heels of an incredible Santa Clara 3-pointer that appeared to have secured victory for the Broncos. The tying basket was the highlight of a brilliant outing for Oweh, who finished with 35 points and single-handedly carried Kentucky's offense for most of the day.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Oweh became the first player since Larry Bird in 1979 to finish with at least 35 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in an NCAA Tournament game.The result didn't come without controversy, as Broncos coach Herb Sendek appeared to <a href="https://x.com/awfulannouncing/status/2035059796702056749?s=20">try to call a timeout</a> after Santa Clara's late triple gave his team a 3-point lead. However, the officials didn't recognize it in the moment, and Oweh tied the game seconds later.Kentucky advances to face the winner of No. 2 Iowa State versus No. 15 Tennessee State in the Round of 32.

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Mouhamed Dioubate #23 and Otega Oweh #00 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrate against the Santa Clara Broncos during overtime in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.

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Kentucky finishes Santa Clara in OT after insane buzzer-beater

The early Saturday standalone game will be a battle of explosive offensive units with No. 1 Michi...

The early Saturday standalone game will be a battle of explosive offensive units with No. 1 Michigan facing No. 9 Saint Louis.Both the Wolverines and Billikens topped 100 points in their opening-round matchups and will square off at 12:10 p.m. ET in what should be a high-scoring affair.The second half of the doubleheader from Buffalo features No. 6 Louisville against No. 3 Michigan State, followed by the remainder of the day's matchups unfolding in a staggered schedule.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Saturday finale will see No. 12 High Point, an early Cinderella, taking on John Calipari's No. 4 Arkansas at 9:45 p.m. ET.Here's the full Round of 32 slate for Saturday.<h3>Saturday tip times (all ET)</h3>9 Saint Louis vs. 1 Michigan - 12:10 p.m. 6 Louisville vs. 3 Michigan State - 2:45 p.m. 9 TCU vs. 1 Duke - 5:15 p.m. 10 Texas A&amp;M vs. 2 Houston - 6:10 p.m. 11 Texas vs. 3 Gonzaga - 7:10 p.m. 11 VCU vs. 3 Illinois - 7:50 p.m. 5 Vanderbilt vs. 4 Nebraska - 8:45 p.m. 12 High Point vs. 4 Arkansas - 9:45 p.m.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Yaxel Lendeborg #23, Nimari Burnett #4, Aday Mara #15, Morez Johnson Jr. #21 and Elliot Cadeau #3 of the Michigan Wolverines look on against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the United Center on March 15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Michigan-Saint Louis leads Saturday tip times

The brackets have dropped, the matchups are set, and the most electric three weeks on the college...

The brackets have dropped, the matchups are set, and the most electric three weeks on the college basketball calendar are here. The 2026 NCAA Tournament features perhaps the most elite freshman class we've ever seen and a quartet of No. 1 seeds that should battle for the national title.While mainstays like Duke, Michigan, Arizona, and Florida grab most of the headlines, a couple of plucky underdogs always make noise. We help identify who they could be heading into Thursday. Find everything you need to know about the 68-team event below.Jump to: <a href="#Region%20Previews">Region previews</a> <a href="#Featured%20Analysis">Featured analysis</a> <a href="#Betting%20Tips">Betting tips</a><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r6v3Q1Yur00?si=EYuxxVO_cej5n03u" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><h3><a id="Region Previews" name="Region%20Previews">Region previews 🍿</a></h3>East Region<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825183/cropped_GettyImages-2249614468.jpg?ts=1772921927" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825183/w220xh124_GettyImages-2249614468.jpg?ts=1772921927 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825183/w320xh180_GettyImages-2249614468.jpg?ts=1772921927 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825183/w640xh360_GettyImages-2249614468.jpg?ts=1772921927 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825183/w768xh432_GettyImages-2249614468.jpg?ts=1772921927 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825183/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2249614468.jpg?ts=1772921927 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Another year, another top-seeded Duke roster led by a fabulous freshman. Cameron Boozer took the torch from Cooper Flagg and immediately turned in one of the most dominant first seasons in recent memory. That helped the Blue Devils to the ACC title and the No. 1 overall seed in the field. However, Duke has been hit hard by injury woes, with Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba both on the shelf. Can Jon Scheyer's squad avoid an upset in a likely second-round date with Rick Pitino's St. John's or Bill Self's Kansas? <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3500980" href="https://thescore.com/news/3500980">Read more ...</a>South Region<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825594/cropped_GettyImages-2264668847.jpg?ts=1773158639" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825594/w220xh124_GettyImages-2264668847.jpg?ts=1773158639 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825594/w320xh180_GettyImages-2264668847.jpg?ts=1773158639 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825594/w640xh360_GettyImages-2264668847.jpg?ts=1773158639 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825594/w768xh432_GettyImages-2264668847.jpg?ts=1773158639 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825594/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2264668847.jpg?ts=1773158639 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> James Gilbert / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Last year's national champ is back as a 1-seed. Florida tops an intriguing South Region where No. 2 Houston would play potential Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games in its hometown. The Gators rode a 12-game winning streak into the SEC tourney semifinal, but Vanderbilt blew their doors off in a shocking loss. Florida's likely Sweet 16 opponent in this region? You guessed it, that same Commodores team. That could open the door for the Cougars or No. 3 Illinois to make a run. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3501052" href="https://thescore.com/news/3501052">Read more ...</a>Midwest Region<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819408/cropped_GettyImages-2258129218.jpg?ts=1769564971" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819408/w220xh124_GettyImages-2258129218.jpg?ts=1769564971 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819408/w320xh180_GettyImages-2258129218.jpg?ts=1769564971 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819408/w640xh360_GettyImages-2258129218.jpg?ts=1769564971 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819408/w768xh432_GettyImages-2258129218.jpg?ts=1769564971 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819408/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2258129218.jpg?ts=1769564971 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jaime Crawford / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Michigan lost the Big Ten title game to Purdue over the weekend but still secured a very favorable path to the Elite Eight. Possible opponents include a No. 4 Alabama team with major frontcourt issues and a No. 5 Texas Tech outfit without superstar JT Toppin. All signs seemingly point to an epic showdown between the Wolverines and No. 2 Iowa State in the regional final - unless No. 3 Virginia can make a charge from the bottom of the bracket. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3501177" href="https://thescore.com/news/3501177">Read more ...</a>West Region<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817313/cropped_GettyImages-2254554290.jpg?ts=1768241835" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817313/w220xh124_GettyImages-2254554290.jpg?ts=1768241835 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817313/w320xh180_GettyImages-2254554290.jpg?ts=1768241835 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817313/w640xh360_GettyImages-2254554290.jpg?ts=1768241835 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817313/w768xh432_GettyImages-2254554290.jpg?ts=1768241835 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817313/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2254554290.jpg?ts=1768241835 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>Arizona gets to stay out west but could potentially face the nation's hottest player, Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr., in the Sweet 16. That would set the stage for an incredible battle of first-year stars: Acuff versus the Wildcats' duo of Brayden Burries and Koa Peat. The bottom part of the bracket features just as much freshman star power in the nation's leading scorer, AJ Dybantsa of No. 6 BYU. Purdue holds the 2-seed after a thrilling Big Ten Tournament victory and brings one of the most veteran-laden teams to March Madness. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3501087" href="https://thescore.com/news/3501087">Read more ...</a><h3><a id="Featured Analysis" name="Featured%20Analysis">Featured analysis ✍️</a></h3>Picking the winner of every game in the 2026 NCAA Tournament<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826880/cropped_NCAA_Tournament_predictions-R2.jpg?ts=1773775564" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826880/w220xh124_NCAA_Tournament_predictions-R2.jpg?ts=1773775564 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826880/w320xh180_NCAA_Tournament_predictions-R2.jpg?ts=1773775564 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826880/w640xh360_NCAA_Tournament_predictions-R2.jpg?ts=1773775564 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826880/w768xh432_NCAA_Tournament_predictions-R2.jpg?ts=1773775564 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826880/w1080xh607_NCAA_Tournament_predictions-R2.jpg?ts=1773775564 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Julian Catalfo / theScore</figcaption></figure>Whether you make picks based on analytical profiles, team names, or a school's distance from the nearest Wendy's, there are endless ways to fill out your NCAA Tournament bracket. Here's how ours turned out. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3481612" href="https://thescore.com/news/3481612">Read more ... </a>March Sadness: 1 reason your team won't win NCAA tourney<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826632/cropped_Reason2.jpg?ts=1773641851" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826632/w220xh124_Reason2.jpg?ts=1773641851 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826632/w320xh180_Reason2.jpg?ts=1773641851 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826632/w640xh360_Reason2.jpg?ts=1773641851 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826632/w768xh432_Reason2.jpg?ts=1773641851 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826632/w1080xh607_Reason2.jpg?ts=1773641851 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Getty</figcaption></figure>Now that the euphoria of Selection Sunday has evaporated, it's time to get realistic about March Madness. No matter how great you think your team is, it's almost certainly not going to win the tournament. Only one of the 68 teams in the bracket will cut down the nets in early April, and we've identified one reason each that 67 of those squads will go home in defeat. <a href="https://thescore.com/news/3490294">Read more ...</a>Teams that could bust your bracket early<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826726/cropped_buster.jpg?ts=1773685504" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826726/w220xh124_buster.jpg?ts=1773685504 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826726/w320xh180_buster.jpg?ts=1773685504 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826726/w640xh360_buster.jpg?ts=1773685504 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826726/w768xh432_buster.jpg?ts=1773685504 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826726/w1080xh607_buster.jpg?ts=1773685504 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Getty</figcaption></figure>Last year's tournament didn't produce many upsets: Only three teams seeded higher than No. 10 won a game, and no seed higher than 12 advanced past the opening round. While there is once again a massive gap between the top teams in the bracket and the rest, the middle of the pack is rife with upset potential in the early rounds. Here are five teams to target that could create bracket chaos right off the jump. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3501235" href="https://thescore.com/news/3501235">Read more ...</a>10 freshmen in NCAA tourney that could save your NBA team<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825634/cropped_StarFreshmen.jpg?ts=1773173994" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825634/w220xh124_StarFreshmen.jpg?ts=1773173994 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825634/w320xh180_StarFreshmen.jpg?ts=1773173994 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825634/w640xh360_StarFreshmen.jpg?ts=1773173994 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825634/w768xh432_StarFreshmen.jpg?ts=1773173994 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825634/w1080xh607_StarFreshmen.jpg?ts=1773173994 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Matt Cohen / theScore</figcaption></figure>Tanking reached new depths in the NBA this season, and any college basketball fan can probably tell you why. The elite level of freshman play this season is virtually unheard of in recent memory, and 2026 could end up being one of the best draft classes in history. Cam Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and AJ Dybantsa are the headliners, but this class goes at least 10 deep on guys who could instantly change your favorite NBA team's fortunes. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3499227" href="https://thescore.com/news/3499227">Read more ...</a>How May's culture brought Michigan back from rock bottom<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825626/cropped_MichiganHeaderImage.jpg?ts=1773170784" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825626/w220xh124_MichiganHeaderImage.jpg?ts=1773170784 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825626/w320xh180_MichiganHeaderImage.jpg?ts=1773170784 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825626/w640xh360_MichiganHeaderImage.jpg?ts=1773170784 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825626/w768xh432_MichiganHeaderImage.jpg?ts=1773170784 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825626/w1080xh607_MichiganHeaderImage.jpg?ts=1773170784 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Marcus Stanois / theScore</figcaption></figure>Two years ago, Michigan posted its worst record since 1961: a dismal 8-24 mark to sit last in the Big Ten. Fast-forward to this week and the Wolverines enter the NCAA Tournament at 31-3 as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest. Plenty of characters have played a part in the revival, but it all stems from the hire of Dusty May. The former Florida Atlantic coach turned Michigan back into a juggernaut in short order with the same focus on culture-building that made him a smashing success with the Owls. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3492301" href="https://thescore.com/news/3492301">Read more ...</a><h3><a id="Betting Tips" name="Betting%20Tips">Betting tips 💸</a></h3>March Madness futures: Buzzer-beaters, Sweet 16, Final Four, and more picks<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827023/cropped_fears.jpg?ts=1773843947" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827023/w220xh124_fears.jpg?ts=1773843947 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827023/w320xh180_fears.jpg?ts=1773843947 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827023/w640xh360_fears.jpg?ts=1773843947 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827023/w768xh432_fears.jpg?ts=1773843947 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/827023/w1080xh607_fears.jpg?ts=1773843947 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Getty</figcaption></figure>See what our favorite futures bets are for March Madness, including a long shot to reach the Sweet 16 and a surprise team to make the Final Four. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3501895" href="https://thescore.com/news/3501895">Read more ...</a> March Madness: How betting odds can help build winning brackets<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/775859/cropped_MarchMadness2.jpg?ts=1742323751" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/775859/w220xh124_MarchMadness2.jpg?ts=1742323751 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/775859/w320xh180_MarchMadness2.jpg?ts=1742323751 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/775859/w640xh360_MarchMadness2.jpg?ts=1742323751 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/775859/w768xh432_MarchMadness2.jpg?ts=1742323751 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/775859/w1080xh607_MarchMadness2.jpg?ts=1742323751 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Getty</figcaption></figure>Not everyone has been locked into college hoops for months, but you can still put together a bracket with winning upside despite not knowing the best players from High Point or McNeese State. If you're just beginning your March Madness research, the best place to start is with betting odds. Millions of dollars will be wagered on the NCAA Tournament, and sharp money within that sum helps create efficient lines that project outcomes more accurately than any other resource. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3501354" href="https://thescore.com/news/3501354">Read more ...</a>Are Cinderellas dead? 4 high-major long shots to consider<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826620/cropped_GettyImages-2265885241.jpg?ts=1773632607" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826620/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265885241.jpg?ts=1773632607 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826620/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265885241.jpg?ts=1773632607 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826620/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265885241.jpg?ts=1773632607 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826620/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265885241.jpg?ts=1773632607 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826620/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265885241.jpg?ts=1773632607 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>Last year's Final Four was a No. 1 party, with all four top seeds qualifying for the first time since 2008. This year's bracket is the only time in modern tournament history that all 16 top-four seeds are double-digit favorites in their first-round games. Does that mean we should start digging Cinderella's grave? The addition of NIL has made it harder than ever for mid-major programs to compete with the top teams. However, that doesn't mean the underdog is dead - it just means we need to look at long shots from major conferences. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3501387" href="https://thescore.com/news/3501387">Read more ...</a>US: Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER; Hope is here. Call <a href="tel:8003275050">(800)-327-5050</a> or visit <a href="http://gamblinghelplinema.org">gamblinghelplinema.org</a> for 24/7 support (MA); Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).ON: Please play responsibly. 19+. ON only. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call ConnexOntario 24/7 at <a href="tel:18665312600">1-866-531-2600</a>. Text us at 247247 or chat with us at <a href="http://www.connexontario.ca">www.connexontario.ca</a>.

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March Madness Guide: Everything to know before filling out your bracket

We gave you 36 hours to enjoy the euphoria of Selection Sunday before before breaking the bad new...

We gave you 36 hours to enjoy the euphoria of Selection Sunday before before breaking the bad news: Your team won't win the NCAA Tournament.The field of 68 will eventually be whittled down to one team that cuts down the nets in three weeks. Everyone else's season will end with a loss.Here's one reason each team won't claim bracket glory.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jump to seeds: <a href="#Seeds%2011-16">11-16</a> | <a href="#No.%2010%20seeds">10</a> | <a href="#No.%209%20seeds">9</a> | <a href="#No.%208%20seeds">8</a> | <a href="#No.%207%20seeds">7 </a>| <a href="#No.%206%20seeds">6</a> | <a href="#No.%205%20seeds">5</a> | <a href="#No.%204%20seeds">4</a> | <a href="#No.%203%20seeds">3</a> | <a href="#No.%202%20seeds">2</a> | <a href="#No.%201%20seeds">1</a><h3><a id="Seeds 11-16" name="Seeds%2011-16">Seeds 11-16</a></h3>History. Look, we could spend plenty of time unpacking Lehigh's splits and telling you why the Mountain Hawks won't win the tournament, but it's simpler to say that past performance is the reason lower-seeded schools will lose.The worst seed to win the national championship was No. 8 Villanova in 1985. No team outside an 11-seed has even qualified for the Final Four. So we're eliminating all these programs for that reason.<h3><a id="No. 10 seeds" name="No.%2010%20seeds">No. 10 seeds</a></h3>Missouri: 3-point defense. Elite shooters launch triple after triple, moving all around the arc and lighting up the scoreboard. No, I'm not talking about the 3-Point Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend - I mean Missouri's 330th-ranked 3-point defense this season.Texas A&amp;M: Happy to be there. Does a program that celebrates fourth-place finishes seem like it's poised for a title run? Didn't think so.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Don’t doubt the Ags. <a href="https://t.co/NPwuk2urEY">pic.twitter.com/NPwuk2urEY</a>— Texas A&amp;M Basketball (@aggiembk) <a href="https://twitter.com/aggiembk/status/2030674326647611811?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>UCF: Rim protection. Despite a very large frontline, UCF is one of the friendlier teams in the tournament, ranking 246th nationally in opponent 2-point shooting and 240th in block rate. Basically, if you get to the Knights' basket, the hoop is open for business.Santa Clara: Foul issues. Only two teams in the NCAA Tournament - and 28 total in the 365-team Division I - foul more per possession than Santa Clara. That'll be a major issue if the Broncos get a whistle-happy officiating crew.<h3><a id="No. 9 seeds" name="No.%209%20seeds">No. 9 seeds</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825821/cropped_GettyImages-2265026154.jpg?ts=1773633986" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825821/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265026154.jpg?ts=1773633986 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825821/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265026154.jpg?ts=1773633986 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825821/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265026154.jpg?ts=1773633986 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825821/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265026154.jpg?ts=1773633986 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825821/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265026154.jpg?ts=1773633986 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Steven Branscombe / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Iowa: Pace. Iowa plays incredibly slowly, ranking 357th nationally in pace. The only tournament team below them is Northern Iowa, suggesting that state legislation may prohibit speed on the basketball court.Utah State: Lack of inside scoring. Utah State is as reliant on guards as any team in the nation - four of its five leading scorers are backcourt players. Only one Aggies big scores more than seven points per game. Unless Utah State can shoot the lights out every round, this won't be a long run.Saint Louis: Turnovers. A phenomenal 24-1 start to the season was marred slightly by a 3-3 finish. In those three losses, the Billikens notched 31 assists to 45 turnovers - a 0.69 assist-to-turnover rate that would rank 364th in the country over the entire year.TCU: 3-point shooting. TCU needs to get off to a hot start every game because coming back from a deficit usually isn't in the cards. That can mostly be attributed to a roster that ranks 224th nationally in 3-point shooting.<h3><a id="No. 8 seeds" name="No.%208%20seeds">No. 8 seeds</a></h3>Villanova: Can't beat top teams. If the NCAA had a B bracket, Villanova might be a popular pick. However, this is the big show. With one top-50 KenPom win all year, it's tough to see the Wildcats doing much.Ohio State: Turnovers. The Buckeyes are 98th nationally, turning the ball over on 15% of possessions. That could make Ohio State's opening-round game against TCU's top-30 defense very difficult.Clemson: Carter Welling injury. Very few teams would be capable of a deep tournament run after their top rebounder and second-leading scorer tore an ACL in the conference tourney. Clemson is not one of them.Georgia: Defensive rebounding. Against Georgia, the best offense might be just chucking the ball at the rim. The Bulldogs rank 323rd nationally in defensive rebounding - which is especially scary considering Michigan, a top-10 rebounding outfit, is a potential Round of 32 opponent.<h3><a id="No. 7 seeds" name="No.%207%20seeds">No. 7 seeds</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822766/cropped_GettyImages-2261705341.jpg?ts=1771528381" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822766/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261705341.jpg?ts=1771528381 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822766/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261705341.jpg?ts=1771528381 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822766/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261705341.jpg?ts=1771528381 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822766/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261705341.jpg?ts=1771528381 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822766/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261705341.jpg?ts=1771528381 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>UCLA: Playing on the road. UCLA does not like leaving Los Angeles this season. Just ask head coach <a href="https://x.com/TheFieldOf68/status/2013850770446098902?s=20">Mick Cronin</a>. Bad news for the Bruins: The tournament isn't played exclusively in California. That will be enough to undo UCLA's chances, no matter how brilliant Donovan Dent can be.Kentucky: Inconsistency. Some people skydive, bungjee jump, or do extreme sports to get an adrenaline rush. Others simply try to figure out this Kentucky basketball team. Since the calendar hit February, the Wildcats have won two, lost three, won two, lost two, won two, and lost one. That's not a team that can win six straight.Saint Mary's: Record vs. top competition. Saint Mary's once again has a very strong WCC squad but simply doesn't have the horses to keep up with the top competition in the NCAA Tournament. The Gaels went 2-3 this season versus Gonzaga and Santa Clara and also fell to Vanderbilt earlier in the year.Miami: First-year head coach. The only first-year head coach to win the NCAA Tournament was Steve Fisher with Michigan in 1989, and that has an asterisk because he took over the team following the regular season. Jai Lucas has done an incredible job in his first year with the Hurricanes, but we don't like his chances to make March Madness history.<h3><a id="No. 6 seeds" name="No.%206%20seeds">No. 6 seeds</a></h3>BYU: Defense. Since losing Richie Saunders to a season-ending injury in mid-February, the Cougars have ranked 162nd nationally in defensive efficiency. That isn't going to get the job done, regardless of AJ Dybantsa's ability to drop 40 in any given game.Louisville: Mikel Brown Jr.'s availability. Louisville is 7-5 with the star freshman on the bench and 16-5 with him on the court. Brown - who hasn't played since Feb. 28 - is hopeful to return for the NCAA Tournament, but our bracket doesn't like the uncertainty. North Carolina: No Caleb Wilson. The fabulous freshman will miss the tournament with a hand injury. That effectively ends North Carolina's hopes considering he leads the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Nobody in the country could replace that type of production.Tennessee: Rick Barnes. The Tennessee coach has won a boatload of games everywhere he goes but has just one Final Four appearance in a 38-year coaching career. While the Volunteers could make a run, it will end before the national semis.<h3><a id="No. 5 seeds" name="No.%205%20seeds">No. 5 seeds</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817076/cropped_GettyImages-2255295584.jpg?ts=1768074613" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817076/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255295584.jpg?ts=1768074613 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817076/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255295584.jpg?ts=1768074613 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817076/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255295584.jpg?ts=1768074613 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817076/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255295584.jpg?ts=1768074613 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817076/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255295584.jpg?ts=1768074613 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> John Fisher / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Wisconsin: Reliance on the 3-pointer. A whopping 41% of Wisconsin's points this season came from beyond the arc, so the Badgers are definitely going to hoist it from deep. It's great when you make 53% of those shots and get a road win at Purdue. It doesn't work out so well when you make 22% of them and lose by 30 to Nebraska.Texas Tech: No JT Toppin. Texas Tech falls into the same category as North Carolina - an injury to its best player is too much to overcome. Toppin led the team in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals at the time of his season-ending injury, and the Red Raiders are 3-3 since.St. John's: Shooting. If you watched St. John's miss 24 straight shots to close a loss to UConn toward the end of the season, you're nodding vigorously. Although the Red Storm rebounded to beat the Huskies in the Big East title game, we can't unsee that previous shooting performance.Vanderbilt: Defending without fouling. It's tough to find fault with a red-hot Vanderbilt team at the moment, but the team commits fouls on almost 25% of its defensive plays. That's no recipe for a deep March Madness run.<h3><a id="No. 4 seeds" name="No.%204%20seeds">No. 4 seeds</a></h3>Nebraska: No March Madness wins. Nebraska basketball has been around for 130 years but hasn't won a single NCAA Tournament game. That will change this year, but the Cornhuskers aren't going from zero wins to six and a national title in one swoop.Alabama: Lack of size. How badly did Alabama need frontcourt help this season? The Crimson Tide brought a professional basketball player back to college. Charles Bediako was briefly able to play, but the courts eventually ruled he was ineligible - and likely squashed Alabama's title hopes in the process.Arkansas: Defense. John Calipari's first year with Arkansas produced a top-20 defensive squad and the 64th-ranked offense. The team's profile flipped this time, with an elite offensive outfit often held back by the nation's 220th-ranked field-goal defense.Kansas: Darryn Peterson's unpredictability. If Kansas gets peak Peterson, the Jayhawks are a real threat to make the Final Four. However, that's not the most reliable proposition in college basketball these days. Peterson is elite when engaged, but it seems unlikely that he could stay at that level for six games.<h3><a id="No. 3 seeds" name="No.%203%20seeds">No. 3 seeds</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818557/cropped_GettyImages-2256927412.jpg?ts=1769057334" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818557/w220xh124_GettyImages-2256927412.jpg?ts=1769057334 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818557/w320xh180_GettyImages-2256927412.jpg?ts=1769057334 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818557/w640xh360_GettyImages-2256927412.jpg?ts=1769057334 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818557/w768xh432_GettyImages-2256927412.jpg?ts=1769057334 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818557/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2256927412.jpg?ts=1769057334 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Robert Johnson / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Gonzaga: 3-point shooting. Gonzaga's sunk just 34% of its triples on the season to sit 176th in the country. That's also the worst mark for any Bulldogs team since Mark Few took over the program in 1999.Virginia: Defensive rebounding. Virginia's first year under Ryan Odom has been a smashing success, but the Cavaliers' ACC championship loss to Duke exposed a massive flaw: The Blue Devils ripped down 20 offensive rebounds in the narrow win. That helped push Virginia down to rank 210th nationally at allowing offensive rebounds.Michigan State: Murderers' row of opponents. Michigan State dropped from a 2-seed to No. 3 when Purdue won the Big Ten Tournament. That gives the Spartans a potential three-game run of No. 6 Louisville, No. 2 UConn, and No. 1 Duke in order to make the Final Four. Good luck.Illinois: Stopping anybody. Illinois is must-see television on the offensive end, with multiple weapons playing beautiful basketball in the nation's top attack. Unfortunately for the Illini, they're often must-see television on defense as well because the other team puts up points at an alarming rate.<h3><a id="No. 2 seeds" name="No.%202%20seeds">No. 2 seeds</a></h3>Iowa State: Free throws. Iowa State ranks 340th nationally after making 67.2% of its free throws on the season. That would be the lowest team mark from a national champion since UConn in 2004. The Cyclones have the talent to win it all, but they'll need to improve from the stripe to do it. Purdue: Braden Smith's 3-point shooting. It's hard to identify a negative for a Purdue team that just knocked off Michigan to win the Big Ten tourney. Smith's a brilliant playmaker, but he's hit just five of his last 28 attempted triples. That needs to change if the Boilermakers want to add a second trophy to the case this year.UConn: Offense can struggle. UConn features five double-digit scorers but doesn't really have a true go-to No. 1 option. That can result in lengthy scoring droughts, like the final eight minutes of the Big East final where the Huskies had zero field goals.Houston: Depth issues. Houston needs seniors Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan to take some scoring pressure off freshman Kingston Flemings. Unfortunately, that duo has scored below their season average in four games straight. Not the trend you want entering March Madness. <h3><a id="No. 1 seeds" name="No.%201%20seeds">No. 1 seeds</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824316/cropped_GettyImages-2263937341.jpg?ts=1772505184" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824316/w220xh124_GettyImages-2263937341.jpg?ts=1772505184 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824316/w320xh180_GettyImages-2263937341.jpg?ts=1772505184 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824316/w640xh360_GettyImages-2263937341.jpg?ts=1772505184 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824316/w768xh432_GettyImages-2263937341.jpg?ts=1772505184 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824316/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2263937341.jpg?ts=1772505184 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>Duke: Injuries. Yes, Duke still won the ACC Tournament without Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba, but this isn't the same juggernaut without them. Although Cam Boozer is incredible and Ngongba might be back in the NCAA Tournament, six wins without Foster seems like a big ask.Florida: 3-point shooting. Just when we thought Florida fixed its shooting woes, the Gators converted just 29% from deep in a blowout loss to Vanderbilt. The Gators are 324th nationally in 3-point shooting. That's tough to overcome no matter how dominant the frontcourt can be.Michigan: Defending the pick-and-roll. We were all set to hand Michigan the title, and then the Wolverines got dismantled by Purdue's pick-and-roll in the second half of their Big Ten title loss. Whether another team can pull that off remains to be seen, but that possibility puts Michigan behind Arizona.Arizona: Nothing. Congratulations to this year's NCAA Tournament champions, the Arizona Wildcats.

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March Sadness: 1 reason your team won't win NCAA tourney

March always brings madness to the college basketball world, but this year, the chaos has infiltr...

March always brings madness to the college basketball world, but this year, the chaos has infiltrated the NBA through tanking.While the strategy isn't a new phenomenon in the professional ranks, tanking has reached unprecedented levels in 2026, with many teams seemingly hell-bent on losing as many games as possible.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Crazy tanking stat: the bottom 10 teams in the NBA are on a collective 40-game losing streak. 🤯 <a href="https://t.co/hnV9WC1Za2">pic.twitter.com/hnV9WC1Za2</a>— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) <a href="https://twitter.com/tomhaberstroh/status/2029207336489775600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>You can argue the ethics of tanking until you're blue in the face, but devoted college basketball fans will tell you that it would be malpractice not to tank this year. The 2026 NBA Draft class is that damn good.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The field of 68 is littered with elite freshmen in perhaps the best first-year class we've ever seen. Here are 10 freshmen to watch, whether you are a college diehard, someone heavily interested in the bracket, or a devoted fan of a terrible NBA team and wondering who can save you.*North Carolina's Caleb Wilson would be high on this list, but he won't play in the NCAA Tournament due to injury<h3>Cam Boozer, Duke</h3>Cam is the son of two-time NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, but you probably already guessed that, given there aren't many with that surname. The 6-foot-9, 250-pounder was the third-ranked player in his recruiting class and has been an all-around menace on the court in his first season at Duke. He sits eighth in the nation in scoring at 22.8 points per game and 13th in rebounds at 10.3 while leading the Blue Devils with 4.1 assists. If Duke is going to score, it's likely because the young Boozer had a hand in it.<h3>AJ Dybantsa, BYU</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825673/cropped_GettyImages-2265864743.jpg?ts=1773192919" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825673/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265864743.jpg?ts=1773192919 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825673/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265864743.jpg?ts=1773192919 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825673/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265864743.jpg?ts=1773192919 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825673/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265864743.jpg?ts=1773192919 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825673/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265864743.jpg?ts=1773192919 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>We could go deep into Dybantsa's profile, but it's probably just easier to say that he broke Kevin Durant's all-time scoring record in the Big 12 Tournament with an outrageous 93 points across three games. Dybantsa is a certified bucket-getter and might be the most unstoppable perimeter player in the country. He leads the nation in scoring at 25.3 points per contest and has produced eight games of at least 35 points this season. With BYU one of the more defensively-challenged teams in the NCAA Tournament, Dybantsa will need to don the cape nightly and turn in a superhero effort for the Cougars to make a deep run. Don't doubt his ability to do so.<h3>Darryn Peterson, Kansas</h3>Peterson is a breathtaking scorer ... when he plays. The electric Kansas wing has battled a hamstring strain, sprained ankle, and cramping issues throughout the season, causing him to miss 11 games and play limited minutes in others. His highlight reel includes a 26-point performance in just 23 minutes against Baylor, as well as a 27-point outing in 29 minutes versus Kansas State to open the Big 12 tourney. However, Peterson's inconsistency raises concerns, as evidenced by a disappointing 3-for-11 shooting performance in Friday's loss to Houston. If Peterson's locked in and healthy, Kansas can make a deep run through the bracket. If his injuries flare up, an early exit likely awaits.<h3>Kingston Flemings, Houston</h3>Flemings burst onto the national basketball scene on Jan. 24 with an absurd 42-point showing in a narrow road loss to Texas Tech. He became just the fifth freshman in Big 12 history to top 40 points on the road while also breaking Houston's freshman scoring record. At 6-foot-2 and just 169 lbs., Flemings doesn't stand out physically, but his quickness at getting to the hoop is a problem for defenders. Combine that with his 40% shooting from beyond the arc, and it's easy to see why he's the focal point of Houston's offense.<h3>Keaton Wagler, Illinois</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818941/cropped_GettyImages-2255836061.jpg?ts=1769292130" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818941/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255836061.jpg?ts=1769292130 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818941/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255836061.jpg?ts=1769292130 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818941/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255836061.jpg?ts=1769292130 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818941/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255836061.jpg?ts=1769292130 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818941/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255836061.jpg?ts=1769292130 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>The previous names on this list were all highly touted high school recruits, so their immediate success didn't really surprise those who had been paying attention. However, Wagler doesn't fit that mold. While the Illinois star was no slouch coming out of high school, he was the 40th-ranked shooting guard in his class, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/262500/keaton-wagler">ESPN</a>. And though he didn't receive the same fanfare, Wagler used the same January night that Flemings did to launch his national spotlight. Wagler even one-upped his counterpart, delivering an electric 46-point showing in a win at Purdue. Since then, he's added games of 34 and 28 points and has maintained his 40% mark from deep despite launching at a high volume. Wagler's streaky, rapid-fire scoring outbursts could be helpful during March Madness.<h3>Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas</h3>Dybantsa leads the nation in scoring, but Acuff might be the hottest player in the country at the moment. The Arkansas guard is averaging 28 points per game over his last 10 outings, which includes performances of 49 and 37 points. Acuff's essentially an unguardable talent even at this early stage of his career, blending an elite off-the-dribble attack with deadeye shooting. He's connecting on 44% of his triples this season and ranks eighth nationally with 6.3 assists per game. John Calipari has coached a long line of elite point guards in his career, and Acuff ranks up there with the best of them.<h3>Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, Arizona</h3>Arizona having two elite freshmen could be the main reason the Wildcats nabbed one of the top seeds for March Madness. Burries is the shooter and wing scorer, while Peat's energy and athleticism make him a nightmare to cover. The duo combined for 42 of Arizona's 79 points in the Big 12 Tournament final win over Houston.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Koa Peat and Brayden Burries are the first freshman teammates with 20+ points in a Big 12 Tournament game 🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/SCNext?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SCNext</a> <a href="https://t.co/5s86Z0AtEP">pic.twitter.com/5s86Z0AtEP</a>— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNInsights/status/2032981535029154117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Nate Ament, Tennessee</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822667/cropped_GettyImages-2261534610.jpg?ts=1771473229" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822667/w220xh124_GettyImages-2261534610.jpg?ts=1771473229 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822667/w320xh180_GettyImages-2261534610.jpg?ts=1771473229 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822667/w640xh360_GettyImages-2261534610.jpg?ts=1771473229 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822667/w768xh432_GettyImages-2261534610.jpg?ts=1771473229 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/822667/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2261534610.jpg?ts=1771473229 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Wes Hale / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The 6-foot-10, 207-pound forward showcased his full potential during last week's SEC tourney win over Auburn. Ament poured in 27 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out four assists, and blocked three shots. Oh, and he also drilled four of his six triples and turned the ball over just once in 32 minutes of action. Good luck guarding that type of size and versatility. Ament can sometimes be inconsistent - evident in his 1-for-13 shooting last time out versus Vanderbilt - but his ceiling is good enough to take Tennessee deep into March Madness.<h3>Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville</h3>Brown's offensive arsenal is as good as anyone's on this list, with a lethal mix of an electric first step and deep shooting range making him nearly unguardable. That dominance was on display during a three-game run in late February, when he averaged a mind-blowing 34.3 points per contest. Brown's been banged up lately and missed the ACC Tournament, which might be the only thing that can cool him off. The freshman was making an astonishing 48% of his triples in the six games before his injury.

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10 freshmen in NCAA tourney that could save your NBA team

The NCAA Tournament is upon us. In the buildup to the opening round, theScore is previewing each ...

The NCAA Tournament is upon us. In the buildup to the opening round, theScore is previewing each region to get you prepared to pick your bracket. After hitting the <a href="https://thescore.com/news/3500980">East</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3501052" href="https://thescore.com/news/3501052">South</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3501177" href="https://thescore.com/news/3501177">Midwest</a>, we close things out with the West region.<h3>Top teams</h3>No. 1 ArizonaArizona tops the West Region thanks to an absolute heater to end the season. The Wildcats enter on a nine-game winning streak, having notched six of those wins against top-25 opponents. Some victories came on <a href="https://x.com/espn/status/2032626516350079374?s=20">dramatic buzzer-beaters</a>, while others were dominant showings that established their championship potential. Tommy Lloyd's outfit essentially plays eight guys each night, with seven scoring at least nine points per game. That gives the Wildcats one of the most balanced attacks in the country.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The star freshmen in Tucson get most of the hype, and it's well-deserved. Surefire first-round picks Brayden Burries and Koa Peat became the first pair of freshmen to each score 20 points in a Big 12 Tournament game. Add in Jaden Bradley's shotmaking and the Wildcats' size up front, and it's easy to see why Arizona is a popular pick to cut down the nets.No. 2 Purdue<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821488/cropped_GettyImages-2260437948.jpg?ts=1770779381" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821488/w220xh124_GettyImages-2260437948.jpg?ts=1770779381 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821488/w320xh180_GettyImages-2260437948.jpg?ts=1770779381 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821488/w640xh360_GettyImages-2260437948.jpg?ts=1770779381 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821488/w768xh432_GettyImages-2260437948.jpg?ts=1770779381 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/821488/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2260437948.jpg?ts=1770779381 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Steven Branscombe / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Purdue, the preseason No. 1 team in the nation, largely disappointed en route to a 23-8 regular season. However, the Boilermakers stormed through the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 7 seed, running the table and knocking off Michigan to claim the conference crown. That helped them jump into the 2-seed for the West, and they're carrying tons of momentum into March Madness.This Purdue outfit is very similar to last year's with the trio of Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn once again leading the way. Smith remains one of the best setup men in the country with 9.2 assists per game, while Loyer is eighth nationally among major conference shooters with a 42.1% mark from beyond the arc. The difference might be the emergence of Oscar Cluff. During the Big Ten tourney, the forward averaged 17.25 points per game, well above his season mark of 10.6. Cluff and Kaufman-Renn give Purdue a frontcourt duo that could be a matchup nightmare for anybody in the bracket.No. 3 GonzagaYes, Gonzaga is back in the NCAA Tournament as one of the top-seeded teams in a region. However, this isn't the free-flowing, hot-shooting kind of Bulldogs team you're used to seeing. This version of Gonzaga is a defensive-minded squad - and the worst 3-point shooting roster of Mark Few's lengthy tenure with the program.The offense essentially runs through forward Graham Ike, a double-double machine and the WCC Player of the Year. The perimeter scoring threat is 26-year-old wing Tyon Grant-Foster, a familiar face for March Madness fans. Grant-Foster starred for Grand Canyon in the last two NCAA Tournaments, averaging 24.6 points over three games. Mario Saint-Supery gives them another deep threat. Gonzaga's got enough talent on offense to match the elite defense and make a run.<h3><a href="https://about.thescore.bet/sportsbook-redirect/?%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fbasketball%2Forganization%2Funited-states%2Fcompetition%2Fncaab%2Fsection%2Fregion-winner&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3501087">West Region odds</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Odds</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Arizona</td>
<td>-115</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Purdue</td>
<td>+360</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gonzaga</td>
<td>+550</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Arkansas</td>
<td>+1000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wisconsin</td>
<td>+1500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Miami (FL)</td>
<td>+5000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BYU</td>
<td>+6600</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Villanova</td>
<td>+7500</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><blockquote>👉 <a href="https://about.thescore.bet/sportsbook-redirect/?%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fbasketball%2Forganization%2Funited-states%2Fcompetition%2Fncaab%2Fsection%2Fregion-winner&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3501087">Bet on the West Region and other March Madness markets available on theScore Bet here</a></blockquote><h3>Bracket-busters</h3>No. 11 Texas<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826420/cropped_GettyImages-2265276713.jpg?ts=1773538653" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826420/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265276713.jpg?ts=1773538653 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826420/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265276713.jpg?ts=1773538653 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826420/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265276713.jpg?ts=1773538653 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826420/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265276713.jpg?ts=1773538653 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826420/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265276713.jpg?ts=1773538653 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>Texas' athletic department spends more than any other school in the nation, so the Longhorns are hardly a Cinderella. However, they are an 11-seed that has to play in the First Four just to make the bracket. We're betting that Texas can handle NC State and advance to face No. 6 BYU in the opening round. The Longhorns have the size and talent to match AJ Dybantsa and the Cougars in a shootout to advance to the Round of 32. Sean Miller has a track record of success in March Madness, and in his first year with Texas, the coach will make his mark with a couple wins off the jump.No. 12 High PointHigh Point's opening-round opponent is explosive 5-seed Wisconsin. That's a tough matchup, but the Panthers' 3-point defense has the potential to slow down the Badgers. The Badgers score 42.5% of their points from beyond the arc - fourth nationally and second in the tournament field. High Point defends the arc very stoutly, ranking 64th in the country by allowing opponents to convert just 31.9% of their shots from deep. The big question for the Panthers is whether they can force turnovers. Getting buckets off errors is High Point's identity: The team ranks fourth nationally in turnovers forced per game. Wisconsin, however, is elite at taking care of the ball, sitting inside the top 10 with eight turnovers per game. The Panthers' ability to harass the Badgers into uncharacteristic mistakes will likely determine whether High Point can win the first NCAA Tournament game in school history.<h3>Players to watch</h3>Darius Acuff Jr.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819417/cropped_GettyImages-2246542894.jpg?ts=1769569528" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819417/w220xh124_GettyImages-2246542894.jpg?ts=1769569528 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819417/w320xh180_GettyImages-2246542894.jpg?ts=1769569528 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819417/w640xh360_GettyImages-2246542894.jpg?ts=1769569528 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819417/w768xh432_GettyImages-2246542894.jpg?ts=1769569528 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819417/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2246542894.jpg?ts=1769569528 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Rey Del Rio / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Acuff has essentially been in NBA Jam mode for the last month. The point guard averaged 28.6 points and 7.1 assists over his past 10 games and hit over 45% of his triples in that span, flying up draft boards in the process. He's got an electric first step off the bounce, but he's also dangerous off the ball and can torch defenders from anywhere on the floor. While Acuff has flown somewhat under the radar because there are so many fabulous freshmen this season, March Madness will boost his profile in a big way.AJ Dybantsa<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825673/cropped_GettyImages-2265864743.jpg?ts=1773192919" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825673/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265864743.jpg?ts=1773192919 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825673/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265864743.jpg?ts=1773192919 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825673/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265864743.jpg?ts=1773192919 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825673/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265864743.jpg?ts=1773192919 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825673/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265864743.jpg?ts=1773192919 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Dybantsa came to BYU with a boatload of hype and still managed to exceed expectations. He leads the country in scoring at 25.3 points per game and has upped that to 28.4 since the calendar flipped to February. He's entering the NCAA Tournament fresh off breaking Kevin Durant's record for the most points in a single Big 12 tourney. With Richie Saunders done for the season, the Cougars essentially need a massive effort from Dybantsa every night to compete. Luckily, he seems more than up to the task.Braden Smith"Wait, that guy is still in college?" OK, fair. Smith has now played a whopping 145 college basketball games for Purdue over a memorable four-year career. The veteran point guard is on the brink of history: With two more assists, he'll pass Bobby Hurley for the all-time record during a collegiate career. When Smith is clicking in the pick-and-roll game, the Boilermakers can beat anybody, as they showed in the Big Ten tourney.US: Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER; Hope is here. Call <a href="tel:8003275050">(800)-327-5050</a> or visit <a href="http://gamblinghelplinema.org">gamblinghelplinema.org</a> for 24/7 support (MA); Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).ON: Please play responsibly. 19+. ON only. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call ConnexOntario 24/7 at <a href="tel:18665312600">1-866-531-2600</a>. Text us at 247247 or chat with us at <a href="http://www.connexontario.ca">www.connexontario.ca</a>.

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West Region preview: Arizona ready for tourney glory

The full NCAA Tournament bracket is here, and the madness is officially set to begin.  The commit...

The full NCAA Tournament bracket is here, and the madness is officially set to begin.The committee announced its field of 68 Sunday evening, and the debates immediately started over who came out with a good draw and who got a rough slot.While there are plenty of winners and losers across the entire bracket, here are four of each that immediately stood out.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Winner: Houston</h3>Houston appears to be back on track after a rare three-game losing streak in the Kelvin Sampson era. The Cougars won their last three regular-season contests and made it all the way to the Big 12 championship game, where they lost a hard-fought battle against top-seeded Arizona.Houston's got a fairly manageable path to the Sweet 16. It will essentially have home-court advantage in the South regional semifinal and final, as the Toyota Center is less than three miles away from the Fertitta Center. That certainly won't hurt the Cougars in a possible Elite Eight showdown and national championship rematch against Florida.Houston returns three starters from last season's runner-up team, but the key to its title hopes could be Kingston Flemings. The first-year guard has gone through some growing pains as of late, yet has proven to be a game-changing talent with his shot-making, passing, and defensive smarts.<h3>Loser: Duke</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825619/cropped_GettyImages-2255982999.jpg?ts=1773167862" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825619/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255982999.jpg?ts=1773167862 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825619/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255982999.jpg?ts=1773167862 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825619/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255982999.jpg?ts=1773167862 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825619/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255982999.jpg?ts=1773167862 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825619/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255982999.jpg?ts=1773167862 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>Duke's reward for getting the No. 1 overall seed was the most difficult path to the Final Four. The Blue Devils are already without two of their key players and must now navigate an East Region that features a number of coaching giants.Duke could face Rick Pitino's St. John's program or Bill Self's Kansas squad in a potential blockbuster Sweet 16 matchup. The Red Storm responded to an embarrassing 32-point loss to UConn with five straight wins, including a dominant 20-point victory over the Huskies in the Big East Tournament final. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks have a number of signature wins on their resume and one of the most talented players in the tournament in freshman Darryn Peterson.The bottom half of the Blue Devils' bracket includes UConn and Michigan State. The Huskies rolled through a difficult nonconference schedule and won back-to-back national titles under Dan Hurley in 2023 and 2024. The Spartans just continually find ways to win in March under Tom Izzo and have a strong core of veterans led by Jeremy Fears Jr.<h3>Winner: MAC</h3>An immediate wellness check would have been ordered if you told people at the beginning of the season that the MAC would get two teams in the NCAA Tournament. The players on conference champion Akron's roster weren't alive the last time the MAC got more than the auto-bid for the field of 68. However, for the first time since 1999, the conference saw multiple members announced on Selection Sunday. The Zips grabbed a 12-seed and will get a first-round matchup against a No. 5 Texas Tech team playing without superstar JT Toppin. Miami (OH) joined Akron with an at-large bid thanks largely to its perfect regular season. We can debate whether the RedHawks individually were winners or losers - see below - but there's no question the MAC as a whole feels pretty good about itself on Sunday night.<h3>Loser: Miami (OH)</h3>From the only undefeated team in the country to the First Four in the span of five days, Miami (OH)'s plight reminds us all that life comes at you fast in the world of mid-major college basketball. The RedHawks did in fact qualify for the tournament in the end, making it two MAC teams in the field for the first time since 1999. That certainly makes the conference a major winner, as we mentioned above. However, Miami (OH) went from 31-0 entering the conference tournament to having to play a First Four game against a major conference opponent. The consolation for the RedHawks faithful is the game will be played in Dayton, just 45 miles from their Oxford campus.<h3>Winner: West Coast Conference</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826571/cropped_GettyImages-2265877394.jpg?ts=1773619711" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826571/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265877394.jpg?ts=1773619711 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826571/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265877394.jpg?ts=1773619711 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826571/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265877394.jpg?ts=1773619711 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826571/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265877394.jpg?ts=1773619711 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826571/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265877394.jpg?ts=1773619711 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The WCC is sending three schools to the Big Dance for the first time in four years. Gonzaga and Saint Mary's have been the conference's usual representatives, but they're being joined this time around by Santa Clara. The Broncos are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 1995-96 campaign, when Hall of Fame guard Steve Nash led the program to the second round.A three-bid league was made possible once Santa Clara upset the Gaels in the WCC Tournament semifinals. Each of the three schools finished in the top 40 of the NET and WAB rankings, which proved vital on Selection Sunday. Gonzaga is seeded third in the West Region and is the conference's best shot at making some noise in March. The Bulldogs boast <a href="http://kenpom.com/index.php">KenPom's</a> ninth-best defense and the nation's 17th-highest scoring offense.<h3>Loser: St. John's</h3>Congratulations on your Big East Tournament title win, St. John's. Here's an absolutely brutal spot in the bracket to celebrate. The committee did the Red Storm zero favors with their decision Sunday, placing Rick Pitino's team as the 5-seed in Duke's bracket. That sets up a potential Sweet 16 contest against the top-ranked team in the country ... if St. John's can get there. First up is 12-seed Northern Iowa - a school with great upset history in the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers are as tough defensively as the Red Storm, sitting 24th nationally in KenPom's efficiency rankings on that side of the ball.Should St. John's prevail in the opening round, a date with Bill Self and Kansas is likely waiting on the other side. Self is the winningest active NCAA Tournament coach in the country and has future NBA lottery pick Darryn Peterson at his disposal this time out.<h3>Winner: Missouri</h3>Missouri entered Selection Sunday firmly on the bubble with an NCAA tournament bid highly in question. Not only did the Tigers get in the field, but they avoided a play-in game and got an opening-round date in nearby St. Louis. The committee sent Texas, SMU, and NC State to the First Four as 11-seeds to play their way into the 64-team bracket. That decision came despite all three ranking ahead of Missouri in both the <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-net-rankings">NET rankings</a> and KenPom. That's some great luck for a team that finished the season with an 8-9 record in their last 17 games.<h3>Loser: Auburn</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/808492/cropped_GettyImages-2244418565.jpg?ts=1762229987" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/808492/w220xh124_GettyImages-2244418565.jpg?ts=1762229987 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/808492/w320xh180_GettyImages-2244418565.jpg?ts=1762229987 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/808492/w640xh360_GettyImages-2244418565.jpg?ts=1762229987 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/808492/w768xh432_GettyImages-2244418565.jpg?ts=1762229987 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/808492/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2244418565.jpg?ts=1762229987 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Stew Milne / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Speaking of teams that finished ahead of Missouri in the NET rankings and KenPom, let's talk about Auburn. The committee finished with the Tigers as the second team out of the field when the bracket dropped. At first glance, it seems very odd this was a debate to begin with. Auburn finished with a 17-16 overall record on the year, which would have made it the first team with 16 or more losses to ever get an at-large bid.However, like a college student who skips class and assignments frequently but aces the big test, Auburn had some big moments throughout the year. It beat 1-seed Florida and also took down Big East champions St. John's and SEC winners Arkansas.In the end, that wasn't enough, and the overall poor record and 4-13 mark in Quadrant 1 games doomed last year's Final Four participant to miss the field altogether - much to the <a href="https://x.com/awfulannouncing/status/2033313498277478464?s=20">chagrin of Bruce Pearl</a>.

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Bracket winners and losers: MAC happy, Duke gets rough draw

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Dane Belbeck

Supervising Editor

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Brenden Deeg

News editor

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