Detroit Expert Reveals March Madness Bracket Predictions

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Detroit Free Press sports columnist Shawn Windsor has filled out his full bracket for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, predicting the winner of every game from the first round to the national championship. Readers can sign up for USA TODAY's Bracket Challenge to test their knowledge against Windsor's expert picks and compete for up to $40,000 in prizes, including a shot at a $1 million perfect bracket.

Why it matters

March Madness is one of the most exciting and unpredictable sporting events of the year, with millions of fans filling out brackets and competing against friends, family, and experts. Windsor's predictions provide a benchmark for readers to measure their own basketball knowledge and intuition against an experienced sportswriter.

The details

Windsor, a longtime columnist for the Detroit Free Press, has filled out his full bracket for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, predicting the winner of every game from the first round to the national championship on April 6 in Indianapolis. His bracket includes several notable upset picks, including 14-seed Kennesaw State over 3-seed Gonzaga in the first round. In the Elite Eight, Windsor has Duke beating Michigan State, Houston defeating Florida, Arizona topping Purdue, and Iowa State getting past Michigan. His Final Four features Houston over Duke and Arizona over Iowa State, with the Cougars ultimately winning the national title over the Wildcats.

• The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket was announced on Selection Sunday, March 16, 2026.
• The national championship game will be played on April 6, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

What’s next

Readers can sign up for USA TODAY's Bracket Challenge, presented by AutoZone, to test their knowledge against Shawn Windsor's expert picks and compete for up to $40,000 in prizes, including a shot at a $1 million perfect bracket.