Houston Rises to No. 1 Seed in Latest Bracketology Projections

Illinois' loss opens door for Cougars to claim final top seed

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The race for the No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament remains fluid with five weeks until Selection Sunday. A Saturday of key matchups saw Illinois fall 85-82 in overtime to Michigan State, shifting the landscape at the top of the bracket. According to CBS Sports Bracketology, the loss dropped Illinois to a No. 2 seed, opening the door for Houston to claim the final No. 1 seed.

Why it matters

The competition for the last No. 1 seed remains tight, with UConn and Iowa State likewise firmly in contention alongside Illinois. Arizona currently leads the pack, having extended its lead in the race for the No. 1 overall seed with a 37-point victory over Oklahoma State.

The details

Houston solidified its position with a 77-66 road win against No. 16 BYU, marking their best true road win of the season and improving their Quad 1 record to 6-2. Indiana also made a significant jump in the bracketology projections, climbing comfortably into the field after an overtime win against Wisconsin.

  • On Saturday, Illinois fell 85-82 in overtime to Michigan State.
  • On Saturday, Houston defeated No. 16 BYU 77-66 on the road.

The players

Houston

An American college basketball team that plays in the American Athletic Conference.

Illinois

An American college basketball team that plays in the Big Ten Conference.

Arizona

An American college basketball team that plays in the Pac-12 Conference.

UConn

An American college basketball team that plays in the Big East Conference.

Iowa State

An American college basketball team that plays in the Big 12 Conference.

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What they’re saying

“The volatility at the top of the bracketology projections underscores the importance of every game as teams jockey for position heading into conference tournaments. A single loss, or a key win, can dramatically alter a team's seeding and tournament path.”

— Samantha Carter, Chief Editor (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

As teams approach the final weeks of the regular season, it remains to be seen whether Houston will maintain its hold on the No. 1 seed, or if Illinois, UConn, or Iowa State will challenge for the top spot.

The takeaway

The race for the No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is heating up, with Houston's rise to the final top seed spot highlighting the fluidity of the bracket as teams jockey for position heading into the conference tournaments and Selection Sunday.