March Madness 2026: Midwest Region Bracket Predictions

Favorites, Cinderella, Expert Picks, and More for the Midwest Region

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:51pm

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The 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament is upon us, and the Midwest region is shaping up to be an exciting one. Michigan, the betting favorite to win the national title, headlines the region, while Iowa State, Virginia, and others look to challenge the Wolverines. There are also several potential Cinderella teams, including Miami (Ohio) and Santa Clara, that could make a deep run. Our experts break down the top storylines, players to watch, and predictions for the Midwest region.

Why it matters

The Midwest region features several high-profile teams with national title aspirations, as well as some intriguing Cinderella candidates that could shake up the bracket. The outcome of this region will have a major impact on the overall tournament landscape and who advances to the Final Four.

The details

Michigan opened as the betting favorite to win the national title and is expected to make a deep run in the Midwest region. The Wolverines have a talented frontcourt led by Yaxel Lendeborg, who has been one of the best players in college basketball this season. Iowa State also has a star in Milan Momcilovic, who is shooting nearly 50% from 3-point range on high volume. Virginia's Ugonna Onyenso set the ACC tournament record with 21 blocks and could anchor the Cavaliers' defense. Meanwhile, potential Cinderella teams like Miami (Ohio) and Santa Clara will look to pull off upsets and make a surprise run.

  • The 2026 NCAA men's tournament begins on March 16, 2026.

The players

Yaxel Lendeborg

Michigan forward who has been one of the best players in college basketball this season, averaging 14.4 points and 7 rebounds per game while shooting 51% from the field.

Milan Momcilovic

Iowa State forward who leads the team in scoring at 17.1 points per game and is shooting nearly 50% from 3-point range on high volume.

Ugonna Onyenso

Virginia forward who set the ACC tournament record with 21 blocks across three games, showcasing his ability to be a dominant defensive presence in the paint.

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What they’re saying

“The Midwest is pretty wide open behind Michigan, and you can make a serious case for numerous teams to make the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight alongside the Wolverines.”

— Nick Bromberg

What’s next

The Midwest region first-round games will take place on March 21 and 22, 2026, with the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games scheduled for March 27 and 29, respectively.

The takeaway

The Midwest region features a mix of top contenders and potential Cinderella teams, setting the stage for an exciting and unpredictable tournament run. Michigan's size and talent make them the favorite, but teams like Iowa State, Virginia, and the Cinderella hopefuls will look to pull off upsets and advance to the Final Four.