The 2026 NCAA Tournament is FINALLY here! As always, I’ll preview each region and give my dark horses and my picks to come out of those regions — as well as who will win the whole thing at the Final Four in Indianapolis.
So without further ado…
East Region
Top four seeds
- Duke
- UConn
- Michigan State
- Kansas
Dark horse: St. John’s
Analysis: I cannot believe the committee seeded St. John’s as low as FIFTH in this region. Goes to show how brutal this region is for the top overall seed Duke. While I’m tempted to pick the Blue Devils, I fear that their injury issues will eventually catch up with them.
Predicted Winner: Michigan State over Duke
West Region
Top four seeds
- Arizona
- Purdue
- Gonzaga
- Arkansas
Dark horse: BYU
Analysis: As much as I want to talk up this region, I can’t. This is by far and away the easiest region for a top seed in Arizona. If the Wildcats do not win this region, they should fire their coach’s ass on the tarmac.
Predicted Winner: Arizona over Gonzaga
South Region
Top four seeds
- Florida
- Houston
- Illinois
- Nebraska
Dark horse: Vanderbilt
Analysis: Florida looked mighty strong down the stretch until it got smacked by Vanderbilt. And I think Houston is crazy pissed after they were outclassed by Arizona in the Big 12 title game. I don’t want to face Houston’s head coach Kelvin Sampson when he is pissed off.
Predicted Winner: Houston over Florida
Midwest Region
Top four seeds
- Michigan
- Iowa State
- Virginia
- Alabama
Dark horse: Miami of Ohio
Analysis: I think we can all agree that Miami of Ohio more than deserved to be in the field after spanking SMU last night. Keep an eye out on the RedHawks. In the meantime, this region will come down to a well-coached Virginia squad and a Michigan team this is hella hungry. That may be the best game of the tournament.
Predicted Winner: Michigan over Virginia
2026 NCAA Champions: Houston over Arizona
(Remember when I said I wouldn’t want to face a pissed off Sampson???)
Categories: college basketball, college sports
The Klown Times 
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