The first week of the 2026 NCAA Tournament has wrapped up, and what a start it’s been. Only one double-digit seed, Texas, is advancing to the Sweet 16, and for the second year in a row, the field is dominated by high-major teams.
Fans are in for some thrilling matchups as we head into the Sweet 16, with three of the four No. 1 seeds still in the running. However, reigning national champion Florida was knocked out by No. 9 seed Iowa in a shocking upset.
Interestingly, nine of the remaining 16 teams are making a return to the Sweet 16, the most since 2003. Teams like Iowa and St.
John's are finally back in the mix, each making their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999. And then there’s Nebraska, making history with their first-ever trip to the Sweet 16 after entering the tournament as the only high-major team without a Big Dance win.
Now, let's dive into some bracket predictions from our experts:
Gary Parrish: Houston
Gary is sticking with his original picks, with all his Final Four teams still in the hunt. He has St.
John's from the East, Houston from the South, Arizona from the West, and Michigan from the Midwest. He’s predicting a Houston-Michigan showdown in the title game, with Houston taking home the championship.
This would be a sweet victory for Kelvin Sampson, finally capturing his first national title at 70.
Matt Norlander: Arizona
Despite losing BYU and Florida from his Elite Eight, Matt’s Final Four is intact. He’s holding firm with Houston topping Arizona in the championship.
Houston’s performance so far hasn’t shaken his confidence. He’s predicting at least one Sweet 16 upset, with Texas edging out Purdue in a nail-biter.
David Cobb: Arizona
David is all in on Arizona, praising their combination of a strong backcourt and physical presence. Their reliance on 2-point plays doesn’t detract from their guard strength, and with no major weaknesses, he sees them as the safest bet for the title.
Cameron Salerno: Duke
Cameron picked Duke from the start and is sticking with them, despite some early bumps. He’s made a change to his bracket, now seeing Arizona reaching the title game. With Patrick Ngongba II back, he believes Duke has a solid shot at the championship.
Chip Patterson: Arizona
Chip believes Arizona has looked like the top team since March began. Their versatility and ability to adapt to different game styles make them a strong contender.
He’s confident in Arizona’s chances, even predicting a third win over Houston. The East Region remains unpredictable, but he sees Michigan having a smooth path in the Midwest.
Isaac Trotter: Arizona
Isaac is impressed with Michigan’s dominance but sticks with Arizona over Michigan in what could feel like an early title game. He’s also eyeing the Houston-Illinois matchup, favoring Illinois due to their strategic advantages. UConn is his pick to emerge from the East, but he sees Arizona ultimately taking the crown.
As we move forward, the stage is set for an exciting Sweet 16 and beyond. Whether you're cheering for the favorites or rooting for an underdog, this tournament promises to deliver unforgettable moments.