4 Darkhorse Teams Poised for March Madness Runs

Underdogs like UCLA, Miami, Vanderbilt, and Virginia have the talent to make deep NCAA tournament pushes

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:51pm

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While the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament field is loaded with top-seeded powerhouses, there are several darkhorse teams capable of making unexpected runs to the Final Four. Squads like UCLA, Miami, Vanderbilt, and Virginia have the talent and momentum to potentially pull off some upsets and advance deep into the bracket.

Why it matters

March Madness is known for its unpredictability, and these under-the-radar teams could provide some of the tournament's biggest surprises and most thrilling storylines. Their success would shake up the bracket and challenge the dominance of the tournament's traditional blue bloods.

The details

UCLA has rebounded from a slow start to the season, winning six of its last eight games, including victories over top-10 opponents Illinois, Nebraska, and Michigan State. Miami has been playing great basketball in Jai Lucas' second year as head coach, finishing third in the SEC and nearly upsetting Virginia in the ACC tournament. Vanderbilt reached the SEC title game for the first time since 2012 and boasts one of the nation's most efficient offenses. And while Virginia is a 3-seed, the Cavaliers had a dominant ACC season and are seeking their first tournament win since their 2019 national championship.

  • The 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament begins on March 19.
  • The Final Four is scheduled for April 5-7 in Indianapolis.

The players

Donvan Dent

A UCLA player who recorded the first ever triple-double in the Big Ten tournament this spring.

Tyler Tanner

A guard for Vanderbilt who averages nearly 20 points per game.

Thijs De Ridder

A key player for Virginia, averaging 5.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.

Ryan Odom

The first-year head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This year's NCAA tournament field is stacked with top-tier teams, but these darkhorse squads have the talent and momentum to pull off some big upsets and make unexpected deep runs. Their success would add even more excitement and unpredictability to March Madness.