As the 2026 NCAA Tournament tips off, all eyes are on Arizona, the FanDuel Sportsbook favorite despite being the second overall seed behind Duke. Arizona's odds reflect a strong confidence in their roster, even as they navigate some injury concerns. Jaden Bradley, a key player, sustained a thumb and wrist injury during their Big XII Championship win over Houston but is expected to play with his hand wrapped.
Meanwhile, Duke and Michigan face their own injury challenges. Duke's path is complicated by the absence of starting guard Caleb Foster, who is not expected back for the early rounds, though center Patrick Ngonba should be on the court.
Michigan is dealing with the loss of backup point guard L.J. Cason, who tore his ACL last month, impacting their depth as they head into the tournament as the third overall seed.
They recently fell to Duke in the Big 10 Championship game, 80-72.
The competition remains fierce beyond these top contenders. Florida, another number one seed, sits at +800, while Houston, the second seed in the South Region, is at +1100. The odds widen significantly after these teams, with Purdue at +2500, Gonzaga at +5000, Arkansas at +6500, and Wisconsin at +12500.
Arizona seems to have a favorable route to the Final Four, but as always, the tournament's unpredictability-fueled by matchups and injuries-will play a crucial role. Arizona kicks off their campaign against Long Island at Viejas Arena in San Diego on Friday at 10:35 AM MST. As the excitement builds, fans are left to ponder: who will rise to the occasion and cut down the nets?