Well friends, the moment we’ve spent many months anxiously waiting for is finally here. It’s Selection Sunday, the day where we get our first look at the bracket that will rule our world for the next 3-plus weeks. In just a matter of minutes, the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee will unveil the 68-team bracket for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, so I sincerely hope you have your blank brackets and sharpened pencils ready to go. If you don’t, this is your notice to get your head in the game.
But before you settle in to watch the Selection Show, I’m honored you’ve come here to check out my final Bracketology projections before the actual bracket comes to life. With about 10 years of Bracketology experience under my belt, it’s been a joy to partake in this exercise for the first time here at Saturday Down South. I want to give a big shout out to Adam Spencer, who has been editing each of my projection columns and empowered me to continue doing something I’ve been passionate about since I was a senior in high school.
I’d also like to take a second to recognize Brian Phan, who created the Bracket Matrix way back in 2006. The Bracket Matrix looks at hundreds of Bracketologists all around the internet and determines who does it best each and every year. I can’t even imagine the amount of hours that go into this undertaking, but I’m so grateful that Brian is doing it because it’s become an invaluable resource over the years.
Now, without further ado, here’s the final SDS Bracketology entry of the 2025-26 season. Enjoy the Madness!
The Bracket
Bracket Breakdown
No. 1 Seeds: Duke Blue Devils (East Region), Michigan Wolverines (Midwest Region), Arizona Wildcats (West Region), Florida Gators (South Region)
Multi-Bid Leagues: Atlantic 10 (2), ACC (8), Big 12 (8), Big East (3), Big Ten (9), MAC (2), SEC (10), WCC (3)
SEC Seeding: Florida (1), Vanderbilt (4), Arkansas (4), Alabama (5), Tennessee (6), Kentucky (7), Georgia (9), Texas A&M (10), Mizzou (10), Texas (11)
Will an SEC team cut down the nets in Indianapolis this year? Here’s what the latest Kalshi markets say:
Bubble Watch
Last 4 Byes: NC State, Santa Clara, Texas A&M, Missouri
Last 4 In: UCF, Miami OH, Texas, SMU
First 4 Out: San Diego State, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Auburn
Next 4 Out: Indiana, Seton Hall, California, Cincinnati
