Men's March Madness 2026: Ranking the remaining 32 teams The NCAA tournament’s round of 32 has set the stage for a mix of powerhouses and underdogs, with teams navigating a complex landscape of injuries, matchups, and momentum. The first round saw top seeds dominate, but the second round promises unpredictability as key players’ availability remains uncertain. With the tournament’s bracket shaping up, here’s a breakdown of the remaining teams based on their performance and potential. Arizona Wildcats (No. 1, West) The Wildcats entered the tournament as a dominant force, showcasing their balanced attack in a 92-58 win over Long Island. Despite Jaden Bradley’s quiet game with just seven points, the team’s depth shone through, with Brayden Burries and Koa Peat each scoring 18 and 15 points respectively. Arizona’s 39% shooting from beyond the arc during their 10-game winning streak highlights their offensive versatility. Their next challenge will be against Utah State, a matchup that could test their ability to sustain high-level play. Duke Blue Devils (No. 1, East) Duke’s first-round victory over Siena was marred by injuries, as Patrick Ngongba II’s absence left the team struggling to contain the 16-seed. Despite trailing by double digits at halftime, Cameron Boozer led the charge with 13-of-14 free throws and a stifling defense that held Siena to 8-of-34 shooting in the second half. The Blue Devils’ elite defense, which ranked second in adjusted efficiency, remains a key asset, though their path to the Final Four will depend on the return of Ngongba and the performance of their depth. Florida Gators (No. 1, South) Florida’s 114-55 dismantling of Prairie View A&M underscored their dominance, with a 39-point halftime lead tying for the second-largest in tournament history.#duke_blue_devils #michigan_wolverines #florida_gators #arizona_wildcats #men_s_march_madness_2026
Florida vs. Prairie View A&M Odds, March Madness Predictions: 2026 NCAA Tournament Picks from Proven Model The 16th-seeded Prairie View A&M Panthers will face the top-seeded Florida Gators in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Friday. Prairie View A&M, which defeated Lehigh 67-55 in the First Four, enters the matchup on an eight-game winning streak. The Panthers finished eighth in the SWAC standings with a 9-9 record. Florida, the SEC regular-season champions with a 16-2 conference mark, lost its semifinal game to Vanderbilt 91-74. The Gators have won 12 of their last 13 games. The game will take place at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, with a tipoff time of 9:25 p.m. ET. Florida is listed as a 35.5-point favorite in the latest odds, while the total points scored are set at 154.5. SportsLine’s Projection Model, which has a strong track record of accuracy in college basketball predictions, has simulated the matchup 10,000 times. The model’s analysis suggests the game will be a high-scoring affair, with the Over (155.5 points) projected to win in more than half of the simulations. The model’s projections highlight key player contributions. Prairie View A&M is expected to have three players scoring 19 points or more, with Dontae Horne projected to lead the way at 19 points. Florida, meanwhile, is predicted to have six players scoring 11 points or more, with Thomas Haugh projected to score 20 points. The model’s total point projection of 157 aligns with the Over’s dominance in the simulations. SportsLine’s model also notes that Prairie View A&M is 10-0 against the spread in its last 10 games, while Florida is 6-4 ATS in its last 10 contests.#ncaa_tournament #sportsline #florida_gators #benchmark_international_arena #prairie_view_am
Todd Golden, the head coach of the Florida Gators men’s basketball team, is 40 years old. He celebrated his birthday on July 7, 2025, marking the start of his seventh season as a head coach and his fourth year leading the Gators. Despite his relatively young age, Golden has established himself as one of the most successful coaches in college basketball, with a career record of 159 wins and 76 losses, translating to a 67.7% winning percentage across his seven seasons at San Francisco and Florida. Golden is entering his fourth appearance in the Men’s NCAA Tournament and his third with Florida. At 39, he became the youngest coach since Jim Valvano to lead a team to a national championship. Valvano, who was 37 when he guided North Carolina State to an upset victory over Houston in the 1983 title game, remains a notable figure in college basketball history. If Golden can secure a national title for Florida this season, he would join an elite group of coaches, including Bob Knight and Billy Donovan, as the third individual to win two NCAA championships before turning 42. This season, Golden has led the Gators to a 26-7 record, marking their first SEC regular season title since 2014. His success has been recognized with SEC Coach of the Year honors, a testament to his impact on the program. The Gators’ performance has also positioned Golden as a key figure in the ongoing narrative of Florida basketball, blending his youth with a proven track record of excellence. Golden’s journey reflects the evolving landscape of college coaching, where age is no longer a barrier to success. His ability to navigate high-stakes games and build a competitive program underscores his role as a leader in the sport.#ncaa_tournament #florida_gators #billy_donovan #todd_golden #bob_knight
Vanderbilt Commodores Defeat Florida Gators to Reach SEC Tournament Final Vanderbilt University’s men’s basketball team secured a decisive victory over the Florida Gators, advancing to the SEC Tournament final. The game, held on March 14, 2026, at 10:30 PM, saw the No. 22 seed Commodores overcome the No. 4 seed Gators, ending Florida’s winning streak. Referee K.B. Burdett officiated the matchup, which was marked by standout performances from Vanderbilt players. Key moments in the game included a smooth layup by Tyler Tanner, a transition bucket by Tyler Nickel, and a clutch three-pointer by Duke Miles, who hit a game-winning shot from beyond the arc. These plays highlighted Vanderbilt’s ability to capitalize on opportunities and execute under pressure. The victory marked a significant upset, as the Commodores’ win ended Florida’s streak and propelled them to the SEC Championship game. The result underscored the competitive nature of the SEC tournament, with underdog teams proving capable of toppling higher-seeded opponents. Vanderbilt’s triumph will now set the stage for their next challenge in the tournament, as they aim to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The game also drew attention to the evolving dynamics of the league, with teams like Vanderbilt demonstrating resilience and strategic depth.#sec_tournament #florida_gators #vanderbilt_commodores #tyler_tanner #tyler_nickel
SEC Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament: Full Schedule, Bracket and How to Watch The SEC men’s basketball conference tournament kicks off on Wednesday, featuring 16 teams competing for a chance to advance to the NCAA tournament. The top four teams from the regular season receive byes to the quarterfinals, avoiding the first round until Friday. This year’s tournament will determine which teams secure favorable seeding for the NCAA tournament, with the reigning champions Florida aiming to defend their title and secure a No. 1 seed. The tournament’s final regular season standings will shape the bracket, with teams ranked based on their conference records. The bracket structure includes first-round matchups on March 11, followed by second-round games on March 12, quarterfinals on March 13, semifinals on March 14, and the championship game on March 15. Key matchups will determine which teams advance to the NCAA tournament, with underdog teams hoping to make a dramatic run and established powerhouses like Florida and Alabama vying for dominance. The first round on March 11 features four games, including No. 9 Kentucky facing No. 16 LSU, No. 12 Auburn vs. No. 13 Mississippi State, No. 10 Texas vs. No. 15 Ole Miss, and No. 11 Oklahoma vs. No. 14 South Carolina. All first-round games will air on SEC Network, with specific times listed for each matchup. The second round on March 12 will see the winners of these games face off against higher-ranked teams, with the schedule adjusted to accommodate the earlier games. Quarterfinals on March 13 will feature the top-seeded Florida Gators, who will face the winner of the No. 8 Missouri vs. No. 9 Kentucky matchup. Other quarterfinal games include No. 4 Vanderbilt vs. the winner of the No. 5 Tennessee vs. No. 12 Auburn game, No. 2 Alabama vs.#alabama_crimson_tide #arkansas_razorbacks #sec_men_basketball #florida_gators #kentucky_kentuckies
