Gordon Hayward previews 2026 NCAA Tournament, talks Colgate Total partnership

Former Butler star discusses top teams and his favorite memories from the school's 2010 title run.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:52pm

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Gordon Hayward, the former Butler basketball star and current NBA player, shared his thoughts on the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Hayward discussed his predictions for the tournament, including Duke and Arizona as top contenders. He also reflected on his own memorable run to the 2010 NCAA Championship game with Butler. Additionally, Hayward discussed his partnership with Colgate Total and the importance of oral health, especially as a father of five.

Why it matters

As a former NCAA standout and current NBA player, Hayward's insights on the upcoming tournament carry significant weight. His perspective on the top teams and his own experience reaching the title game provide valuable analysis for basketball fans. Furthermore, Hayward's partnership with Colgate Total highlights the importance of oral health, an often overlooked aspect of athletic performance and overall well-being.

The details

Hayward believes Duke and Arizona are among the top contenders to win the 2026 NCAA Tournament. He praised Duke's talent, led by player Cameron Boozer, as well as the experience of Arizona's veteran guards. Hayward also reflected on Butler's memorable 2010 tournament run, which saw the team reach the national championship game for the first time in school history. Hayward noted the special significance of playing in Indianapolis, just miles from Butler's campus, and the support the team received from the entire city and country as an underdog program.

  • The 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament will take place in the spring of 2026.
  • Butler reached the NCAA Championship game in 2010.

The players

Gordon Hayward

A former star player for Butler University who was selected 9th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. He is currently an NBA player and has partnered with Colgate Total.

Cameron Boozer

A player on the Duke basketball team, which is one of the top contenders for the 2026 NCAA Tournament according to Hayward.

Jon Scheyer

The head coach of the Duke basketball team, which Hayward believes will be a tough team to beat in the 2026 tournament.

Arizona

A basketball team that Hayward believes has a good chance of winning the 2026 NCAA Tournament, citing their size and veteran guards.

Butler

The university that Hayward played for, leading them to the NCAA Championship game in 2010.

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What they’re saying

“It's hard to not pick Duke. I actually live in Charlotte, so I get a lot of Duke basketball stuff. And I don't know if you remember, but our run was against Duke. So I'm certainly not a Duke fan by any means, but I think it's hard to pick against them.”

— Gordon Hayward, Former Butler Star (on3.com)

“I do like Arizona with their size that they have, and then they got older guards. I think the older guards is big in the tournament, guys that have experience. And so I think Arizona's going to be tough. Now they're playing in the best conference in the country this year, in the Big 12. So I mean, Arizona looks like a good team to pick in your brackets.”

— Gordon Hayward, Former Butler Star (on3.com)

“I think just the fact that we got to play in Indianapolis, which is right where I'm from. It's where Butler is at. I think it's like eight miles from campus or something like that. So we had not only the whole city of Indianapolis behind us, but I think because we were an unknown program to everyone else, we kind of had the whole country behind us.”

— Gordon Hayward, Former Butler Star (on3.com)

What’s next

The 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament will take place in the spring of 2026, with the championship game scheduled for early April.

The takeaway

Gordon Hayward's insights on the 2026 NCAA Tournament provide valuable analysis from a former NCAA standout and current NBA player. His predictions for top contenders like Duke and Arizona, as well as his reflections on Butler's memorable 2010 tournament run, offer basketball fans a unique perspective. Additionally, Hayward's partnership with Colgate Total highlights the importance of oral health, an often overlooked aspect of athletic performance and overall well-being.