by Max Goren
The greatest weekend on the sports calendar has come and gone. The first weekend of the 2026 NCAA Tournament may have been pretty chalky, but we still got a good taste of the madness we were missing in the 2025 edition of the tournament. Iowa pulled the big upset in the round of 32, taking down the defending champion Florida Gators on a late three-pointer from Alvaro Folgueiras. Nebraska and Vanderbilt played the potential game of the tournament on Saturday night, as the Cornhuskers escaped on a near-miss half court heave from Tyler Tanner. Texas is the proverbial Cinderella this year, as the only double-digit seed to reach the Sweet 16.
Now, once we endure two more brutal days of anticipation, we will get to enjoy another weekend of top teams going at it, this time at regional sites in San Diego, Houston, DC, and Chicago. Who will cut down the nets this weekend and make it through to the Final Four in Indianapolis?
West Regional - San Diego
#2 Purdue vs. #11 Texas, Thursday 7:10 PM
#1 Arizona vs. #4 Arkansas, Thursday 9:45 PM
While I largely anticipate more of the same in the West region (chalk), I think the late game in San Diego on Thursday night has potential to be one of the best in this year’s tournament. Darius Acuff Jr. continues to be appointment television, averaging 30 points and 6.5 assists through two games of NCAA Tournament play. Can Arkansas’ high-octane offense win out over the elite balance and rebounding of Arizona? I don’t think so, but it should make for a compelling matchup.
West Regional Final Prediction: #1 Arizona defeats #2 Purdue
South Regional - Houston
#4 Nebraska vs. #9 Iowa, Thursday 7:30 PM
#2 Houston vs. #3 Illinois, Thursday 10:05 PM
There are incredible storylines all over this regional. A midwestern battle between a team that started 20-0 and an up-and-coming coach that just upset the defending champs? Followed by a classic matchup of unstoppable offense and immovable defense? Sign me up!
I anticipate Nebraska’s fanbase will travel South in droves to support this Cornhusker squad. Chants of “Go Big Red” will echo through the Toyota Center as Nebraska takes the rubber match over Iowa. Then, in the age-old battle between the unstoppable force vs. immovable object…the immovable object is playing in its home city. Give me Kelvin Sampson and Houston to return to the Final Four, as they look to exercise the demons of last year’s shortcomings.
South Regional Final Prediction: #2 Houston defeats #4 Nebraska
East Regional - Washington, D.C.
#1 Duke vs. #5 St. John’s, Friday 7:10 PM
#2 UConn vs. #3 Michigan State, Friday 9:45 PM
Has there ever been a single NCAA Tournament regional with the coaching prowess we’ll see in DC? Scheyer, Pitino, Hurley and Izzo. For those curious, that’s five national titles, 16 Final Four appearances and 2,149 combined head coaching wins duking it out in our nation’s capital this weekend. Can Duke overcome injuries to key players? Could Rick Pitino lead a third school to the Final Four? Will UConn return to the Final Four for the third time in four years? Can Tom Izzo produce the first national champion from the Big Ten since his last title in 2000? These are just a few of the questions that make the East regional appointment viewing.
East Regional Final Prediction: #1 Duke defeats #3 Michigan State
Midwest Regional - Chicago
#1 Michigan vs. #4 Alabama, Friday 7:35 PM
#2 Iowa State vs. #6 Tennessee, Friday 10:10 PM
Okay, I know I’ve only picked one upset so far in this exercise, but this Midwest region has some serious upset potential. Alabama’s pace and shooting makes the Crimson Tide a potential problem for any team, and Rick Barnes has Tennessee playing some great basketball as they head into a matchup with an Iowa State team facing some injury uncertainty concerning second team All-American Joshua Jefferson. Jefferson’s participation (or lack thereof) will be key- if he’s able to go, Iowa State can beat anyone. If not, the Cyclones’ exit may be earlier than expected. I’m going to operate under the assumption that he’s able to return in some capacity, which could spell the end of the Volunteers.
Midwest Regional Final Prediction: #2 Iowa State defeats #1 Michigan
Final Four Prediction: #1 Duke vs. #2 Houston, #1 Arizona vs #2 Iowa State