March Madness Final Four predictions to win 2026 NCAA Tournament regions
March Madness Final Four predictions to win 2026 NCAA Tournament regions
Matthew Glenesk, USA TODAYSun, March 15, 2026 at 11:16 PM UTC
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Now that the Men's NCAA Tournament bracket has been unveiled, we know the paths teams must take to reach Indianapolis and the Final Four.
Will it be all chalk like last year when all four No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four?
Will there by a surprise like NC State in 2024 and Florida Atlantic in 2023?
Selection Sunday winners, losers: Miami Ohio gets in, St. John's gets hosed
March Madness upset picks: These teams can bust your NCAA Tournament bracket
USA TODAY Sports' staff makes their Final Four picks. Check them out below. And be sure to sign up for USA TODAY's Bracket Challenge and Survivor Poll to test your hoops knowledge.
NCAA Tournament predictions, 2026 Final Four picks
Blake Toppmeyer
East: Michigan State
South: Houston
Midwest: Michigan
West: Arizona
Duke is the No. 1 overall seed, but the Blue Devils got placed in a loaded region. That leaves Arizona as the frontrunner to win the national championship.
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Paul Myerberg
East: St. John's
South: Florida
Midwest: Iowa State
West: Arkansas
I’m banking on the Red Storm and Razorbacks carrying over their torrid finishes to the regular season. ISU has a relatively easy road to the Elite Eight, while Florida is the class of the South region and one of the safest bets to advance deep into March.
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Matt Hayes
East: Duke
South: Florida
Midwest: Iowa State
West: Arizona
Duke is a no-brainer. The most complete team in the tournament, with the best player in the tournament — unless Kansas stud Darryn Peterson decides to get serious. Arizona doesn't have a true superstar, but the Wildcats are talented throughout their lineup. Florida is long, they defend better than just about anyone and they're hot. The Cyclones are top 20 in offensive and defensive efficiency, and just a tick below Florida and Duke as the best defensive teams in the tournament.
Jordan Mendoza
East: Duke
South: Florida
Midwest: Michigan
West: Arizona
The No. 1 overall seeds have proven to be in a class above the rest of the sport. It's not going to be a cakewalk, but they all make it to Indianapolis to back-to-back all-No. 1 seed Final Four.
March Madness 2026 schedule
The 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament will transpire over the next three weeks, which will end with the Final Four and the national championship game in Indianapolis.
Here’s a rundown of the schedule for the 2026 NCAA Tournament:
First Four: March 17-18
First round: March 19-20
Second round: March 21-22
Sweet 16: March 26-27
Elite Eight: March 28-29
Final Four: April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
National championship game: April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness predictions: Final Four picks for NCAA Tournament 2026
Source: “AOL Sports”
