NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament: Bracket Set After Selection Sunday

The 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament officially began its annual run toward college basketball’s national championship following the reveal of the 68-team bracket on Selection Sunday yesterday.

The tournament once again brings together conference champions and at-large selections from across the country for the single-elimination March Madness.

Several powerhouse programs earned top seeds while a handful of mid-major programs secured bids as well. The tournament field includes 31 automatic bids from conference tournament winners and 37 at-large teams chosen by the selection committee.

Duke, Arizona, Michigan, and Florida claimed the four No. 1 seeds, with Duke earning the distinction of the overall top seed. All are hoping to reach the Final Four in Indianapolis.

The tournament officially tips off with the “First Four” games before the traditional first-round matchups begin later in the week.

Key Dates for the Opening Rounds

The NCAA tournament unfolds over several weeks, but the opening rounds are often the most chaotic and entertaining. Here’s a look at some key dates for the early rounds.

• First Four: March 17–18
• First Round (Round of 64): March 19–20
• Second Round (Round of 32): March 21–22

Notable Matchups to Watch

With the bracket now set, several nice matchups await fans on the opening weekend. Some of those include:

• Illinois vs. Penn — Illinois enters as a No. 3 seed and heavy favorite against Ivy League champion Penn.
• Iowa vs. Clemson — A competitive matchup between a 9-seed Hawkeyes team and the Tigers in the South Region.
• Prairie View A&M vs. Lehigh (First Four) — The winner advances to face defending national champion Florida.
• Potential Second-Round Showdown: Illinois vs. UNC/VCU winner — A matchup that could quickly test Illinois’ title aspirations.

Storylines Heading Into the Tournament

Several themes are already emerging as the tournament begins. Duke’s position as the No. 1 overall seed places the Blue Devils under a national spotlight. Michigan and Arizona are also considered legitimate championship contenders.

Meanwhile, defending champion Florida enters the tournament seeking another deep run. Programs like Houston, Purdue, and Illinois have also drawn attention as teams capable of challenging the favorites.

Championship Favorites (FanDuel Odds)

Sportsbooks have already posted futures betting odds for teams expected to compete for the national championship. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, these are the top 10 teams favored to win the 2026 NCAA championship:

1. Michigan +320
2. Duke +350
3. Arizona +425
4. Florida +700
5. Houston +1000
6. UConn +2000
7. Illinois +1900
8. Purdue +4000
9. Michigan State +4500
10. St. John’s — +5000

With the bracket now finalized and the opening rounds set to begin, the next several weeks promise the usual mix of drama, upsets, and big moments as teams battle to advance in the tournament and hope to land in the national championship game on April 6 in Indianapolis.