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Kansas Today
By the People, for the People
ESPN Updates BPI Ahead of March Madness
Duke, Michigan, and Arizona Emerge as Top Contenders Entering NCAA Tournament
Mar. 15, 2026 at 1:35pm
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ESPN has released its updated BPI (Basketball Power Index) rankings ahead of Selection Sunday, with Duke, Michigan, and Arizona maintaining their positions as the top three teams. The rankings saw some significant movement, with BYU, Virginia, and Iowa State making notable jumps, while Florida, Illinois, Gonzaga, Alabama, Kansas, Texas Tech, and Kentucky all trending downward.
Why it matters
The updated BPI rankings provide a comprehensive look at the top teams in college basketball as they prepare for the NCAA Tournament. These rankings are closely watched by fans and analysts alike, as they offer valuable insights into the potential contenders for the national championship.
The details
Duke, the top-ranked team in the BPI, is led by star freshman Cam Boozer, who leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists per game. Michigan, the Big Ten regular-season champion, punched its ticket to the conference tournament final with a game-winning 3-pointer from Yaxel Lendeborg. Arizona, the third lock along the No. 1 seed line, claimed the first Big 12 Conference Tournament title in program history, completing a sweep of their conference's championships this season.
- ESPN released the updated BPI rankings on March 15, 2026, just days before Selection Sunday.
The players
Cam Boozer
Duke freshman and ACC Player of the Year, leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists per game.
Yaxel Lendeborg
Michigan forward who hit the game-winning 3-pointer to send the Wolverines to the Big Ten tournament final.
Arizona
The third lock along the top seed line, the Wildcats claimed the first Big 12 Conference Tournament title in program history, completing a sweep of their conference's championships this season.
Kelvin Sampson
Houston head coach, whose team fell to Arizona in the Big 12 title game after beating Kansas by 22 points.
Todd Golden
Florida Gators head coach, whose team struggled in the SEC Tournament despite being the reigning national champions.
What they’re saying
“While they're No. 4 in ESPN's BPI, ESPN's Joe Lunardi is projecting the Cougars to be a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Had they beaten Arizona, a No. 1 seed may have been in their future.”
— Joe Lunardi, ESPN Analyst
“Despite this, Joe Lunardi pointed to their full body of work this season as to why they should still receive a No. 1 seed.”
— Joe Lunardi, ESPN Analyst
What’s next
The NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed on Selection Sunday, March 17, 2026, with the first round games beginning on March 19.
The takeaway
The updated BPI rankings highlight the depth and competitiveness of college basketball this season, with several teams emerging as legitimate national championship contenders. As the NCAA Tournament approaches, fans and analysts will closely follow the action to see which teams can capitalize on their regular-season success and make a deep run in the Big Dance.
