Jay Bilas Predicts 2026 March Madness Final Four

ESPN analyst forecasts Arizona Wildcats to win national title after reaching championship game

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:25pm

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ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas has released his predictions for the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament, including his picks for the Final Four and national championship game. Bilas has only one No. 1 seed, Arizona, reaching the Final Four, with the other top seeds falling in the Elite Eight. He has Arizona defeating Michigan State in the title game for the Wildcats' first championship since 1997.

Why it matters

Bilas is one of the most respected voices in college basketball analysis, and his annual March Madness predictions are closely followed by fans. Last year, he correctly picked all four Final Four teams and the national champion, making his 2026 forecast highly anticipated.

The details

Bilas has Arizona, the No. 1 seed in the West region, advancing to the Final Four, along with No. 3 seeds Michigan State, Illinois, and Iowa State. He has the Wildcats defeating the Spartans in the national championship game. Bilas believes the other No. 1 seeds - Duke, Michigan, and Florida - will all fall in the Elite Eight round.

  • The 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament will take place in March and April 2026.

The players

Jay Bilas

An ESPN college basketball analyst known for his insightful tournament predictions and analysis.

Arizona Wildcats

The No. 1 seed in the West region of the 2026 NCAA tournament, according to Bilas' forecast.

Michigan State Spartans

The No. 3 seed in Bilas' predicted Final Four, facing off against Arizona for the national championship.

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What’s next

Fans will have to wait until March 2026 to see if Bilas' predictions come true, as the NCAA tournament unfolds.

The takeaway

Bilas' annual March Madness predictions are closely watched, and his ability to correctly forecast the Final Four and national champion in 2025 has heightened anticipation for his 2026 forecast. His selection of Arizona as the lone No. 1 seed to reach the Final Four is a bold pick that will be closely monitored as the tournament approaches.