UNDATED (AP) — There's nothing quite like March Madness to remind people of what college sports is all about. Yes, the 2025-26 season contained its share of headlines about money, pro players returning to college and coaches behaving badly. But now, the payoff. A three-week, 68-team hoops celebration where anything from a Miami (Ohio) miracle to a dominating Duke performance could happen. At its best, the NCAA Tournament is a needed reminder about what's right in a rapidly changing landscape.
UNDATED (AP) — Duke is the top overall seed in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, with Arizona, Michigan, and Florida also landing on the No. 1 line. Miami (Ohio), which opened the season 31-0 before a loss early its conference tournament, got in as an 11 seed despite a weak schedule. They play a First Four game on Wednesday against SMU. The tournament begins Tuesday with other play-in games, including Texas versus North Carolina State.
UNDATED (AP) — UConn is the No. 1 overall seed in the women’s NCAA Tournament and enters March Madness needing six more victories to complete the seventh undefeated season in school history. The Huskies (34-0) are looking for their 13th national title and becoming the first team to repeat as champions since the Huskies won four in a row from 2013-16. They are joined by UCLA, Texas and South Carolina as the other No. 1 seeds.
UNDATED (AP) — Michigan earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021 and will open Thursday in Buffalo, New York, against the winner of a First Four matchup between Maryland-Baltimore County and Howard. The Wolverines are the third overall seed, behind Duke and Arizona and ahead of Florida, and will be trying to win the Big Ten’s first national championship since Michigan State in 2000. This is the fourth time the Wolverines have earned a No. 1 seed.
UNDATED (AP) — Defending national champion Florida is the No. 1 seed in the South Region for the NCAA Tournament. The Gators will open against the winner of a First Four game between Prairie View A&M and Lehigh. But look ahead a bit and the Gators could see second-seeded Houston, whom it beat for the title a year ago, for a spot in this year's Final Four. The Cougars will open against Idaho on Thursday in Oklahoma City. Illinois earned the No. 3 seed and Nebraska was seeded fourth. The Huskers are 0-8 in the NCAA Tournament.
UNDATED (AP) — No. 2 Arizona can add a No. 1 seed to its impressive resume. The Big 12 regular-season and tournament champion Wildcats are the No. 1 seed in the West Region and will open the NCAA Tournament against Long Island University Friday in San Diego. The West also includes No. 2 seed Purdue, Gonzaga, Arkansas and Wisconsin in a region that goes through San Jose, California, on the way to the Final Four April 4-6 in Indianapolis. Arizona has not been to the Final Four since 2001, but have the type of team that could end that streak. The Wildcats enter the bracket on a nine-game winning streak and have beaten 15 teams that were ranked at the time this season.
UNDATED (AP) — Top overall seed Duke headlines the NCAA Tournament’s East Region bracket. The region is stacked with big names, starting with UConn as the 2-seed. There's also Hall of Fame coaches Tom Izzo from Michigan State, Bill Self from Kansas and Rick Pitino from Big East champ St. John’s. Duke is a No. 1 seed for the second straight year. Last year's team reached the Final Four. Duke will open play Thursday against 16th-seeded Siena in Greenville, South Carolina.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sportsbooks see top seeds Duke, Arizona, Michigan, and Florida as the clear favorites to win the NCAA men’s basketball championship. One betting analyst said the bracket still leaves room for a surprise Final Four run. Bruce Marshall of WagerTalk said he doubts all four No. 1 seeds reach Indianapolis. He pointed to Virginia as a possible breakout team and said Michigan looks beatable in its region. Caesars analyst Patrick Berbert says bettors expect a “chalky” tournament again. He linked that trend to NIL, which he says widens the gap between top programs and others.
