4 Sleeper Teams That Could Cause March Madness Upsets

Bracket busters to watch out for in the 2026 NCAA Tournament

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:50am

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With the 2026 NCAA Tournament around the corner, college basketball fans are eagerly anticipating potential bracket-busting upsets. This article highlights four sleeper teams - South Florida, VCU, Akron, and Queens University of Charlotte - that could pull off surprising wins in the first round.

Why it matters

The unpredictability of March Madness is a big part of what makes the tournament so exciting for fans. Upsets shake up brackets and keep the competition thrilling until the final buzzer. These four sleeper teams have the talent and momentum to potentially knock off higher-seeded opponents and advance further than expected.

The details

In the East Region, No. 11 seed South Florida is riding an 11-game winning streak and boasts the American Conference's Defensive Player and Player of the Year in forward Izaiyah Nelson. They'll face a Louisville team missing its best player. In the South, No. 11 VCU has a history of March Madness upsets, including a Final Four run as an 11-seed in 2011, and will take on a North Carolina squad missing its top player. The Midwest Region features No. 12 Akron, led by MAC Tournament MVP Tavari Johnson, against a Texas Tech team without star JT Toppin. And in the West, No. 15 Queens University of Charlotte, a high-volume 3-point shooting team, could shock No. 2 Purdue, which has a history of losing to lower-seeded teams in the tournament.

  • The 2026 NCAA Tournament first round games will take place on March 21 and 22.

The players

Izaiyah Nelson

The American Conference's Defensive Player and Player of the Year, Nelson is a 6'10" forward for South Florida who excels at both ends of the floor.

Wes Enis

A dynamic scorer for South Florida who can create his own shot and shoot from anywhere on the court.

Terrence Hill Jr.

The Atlantic 10 Conference's Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player of the Year, he provides a spark off the bench for VCU.

Nyk Lewis

The Atlantic 10 Conference's Newcomer of the Year, he has made an immediate impact for VCU in his first season.

Tavari Johnson

The MAC Tournament MVP, he leads Akron's veteran squad that is making its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

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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

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

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

March Madness is defined by the unpredictability of the tournament, and these four sleeper teams have the talent and momentum to potentially pull off first-round upsets and shake up brackets across the country. Their Cinderella runs would add even more excitement to an already thrilling NCAA Tournament.