NCAA Men's Tournament Field Set as March Madness Begins

Indiana left out, but tournament still loaded with storylines and high-profile teams

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:50pm

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The 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament bracket has been revealed, with Duke, Arizona, Michigan, and defending champion Florida earning the top seeds. While Indiana was left out of the 68-team field, ending the Hoosiers' tournament drought, the tournament still features plenty of intriguing storylines, including the pressure on Michigan as the Big Ten's top seed and Purdue's quest to end the conference's national title drought dating back to 2000.

Why it matters

The NCAA Tournament is one of the most anticipated events in college sports, with millions of fans filling out brackets and following the action as underdogs look to pull off upsets and top teams try to navigate a challenging path to the national championship. Indiana's exclusion is a disappointment for the passionate Hoosier fanbase, but the tournament still offers drama, high-level competition, and the possibility of a surprise champion emerging.

The details

Duke earned the No. 1 overall seed and will headline the East Region, while Arizona, Michigan, and defending champion Florida claimed the other top seeds. The Big Ten is well-represented, with Michigan and Purdue both earning No. 1 seeds, though Indiana was left out of the field despite spending much of the season on the bubble. The selection of mid-major program Miami (OH) as a First Four team has also drawn scrutiny, as several high-major teams like San Diego State, 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 games will be played on March 19, 2026, with the first round beginning on March 21.

The players

Duke

The Blue Devils earned the No. 1 overall seed after posting a 32-2 record and an 11-game win streak heading into the tournament.

Michigan

The Wolverines claimed a No. 1 seed despite falling to Purdue in the Big Ten championship game, giving the Big Ten two top seeds as the conference looks to end its national title drought dating back to 2000.

Purdue

The Boilermakers earned a No. 2 seed after winning the Big Ten tournament title, providing the Big Ten with another top contender in the field.

Florida

The defending national champion Gators secured the No. 1 seed in the South Region as they look to repeat as NCAA champions.

Indiana

The Hoosiers were left out of the 68-team field, extending their NCAA Tournament drought to three straight seasons after a late-season fade and a loss to Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“For a fan base that had spent the last several weeks living on the bubble, hoping the résumé might be just strong enough in a weak field, Selection Sunday delivered the answer they did not want.”

— Jeremy Giggy, Sports Director, White River Broadcasting (1010wcsi.com)

“The committee did not slam the door on Indiana because of one number. It closed the door because the Hoosiers failed to finish.”

— Jeremy Giggy, Sports Director, White River Broadcasting (1010wcsi.com)

What’s next

The First Four games will be played on March 19, 2026, with the first round of the NCAA Tournament beginning on March 21.

The takeaway

While Indiana's exclusion from the tournament is a disappointment for the state's passionate fanbase, the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament still offers a wealth of compelling storylines, from the pressure on top seeds like Michigan to the potential for an unexpected mid-major or underdog to make a deep run and capture the nation's attention.