Duke, Arizona, Michigan, Florida Earn Top Seeds for March Madness

The four No. 1 seeds were announced on Selection Sunday as the field of 68 teams was set for the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:05am

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The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament bracket was revealed on Sunday, with Duke, Arizona, Michigan, and Florida earning the top seeds. This marks the first time since 2009 that all four No. 1 seeds made it to the Final Four. The field of 68 teams includes several surprises, including Miami (Ohio) earning an at-large bid despite a weak strength of schedule, while teams like San Diego State, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Auburn were left out.

Why it matters

The NCAA Tournament, known as "March Madness", is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year, generating massive interest and viewership. The selection of the top seeds and at-large bids helps set the stage for what is expected to be an exciting and unpredictable tournament, with the potential for Cinderella stories and upsets.

The details

Duke received the overall top seed, followed by Arizona, Michigan, and defending champion Florida. Michigan dropped one spot to the No. 3 overall seed after losing to Purdue in the Big Ten tournament just before the bracket was revealed. The field includes 10 teams from the SEC, the most of any conference, followed by 9 from the Big Ten. Several high-profile teams like San Diego State, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Auburn were left out of the tournament.

  • The 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament bracket was revealed on Selection Sunday, March 16, 2026.
  • The First Four play-in games will take place on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.
  • The national championship game will be played on April 6, 2026 in Indianapolis.

The players

Keith Gill

The chair of the NCAA Tournament selection committee, who explained the rationale behind the seeding decisions.

Florida Gators

The defending national champions, seeking to repeat their back-to-back titles from 2006-07.

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What they’re saying

“Even with those snubs, the Southeastern Conference led the way by placing 10 teams in the field of 68, four short of its record from last year.”

— Keith Gill, NCAA Tournament Selection Committee Chair (wbal.com)

What’s next

The First Four play-in games will take place on Tuesday, March 18, 2026, with the full tournament beginning the following day. The national championship game is scheduled for April 6, 2026 in Indianapolis.

The takeaway

The 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament field is set, with the top seeds of Duke, Arizona, Michigan, and Florida earning the coveted No. 1 seeds. While the selection committee faced some tough decisions, leaving out teams like San Diego State and Indiana, the tournament is poised to deliver the excitement and unpredictability that makes March Madness one of the most thrilling sporting events of the year.