South Region Breakdown: Florida, Houston And Illinois Headline NCAA Tournament Path

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The defending national champion Florida Gators landed as the No. 1 seed in the South Region, but the road back to the Final Four is anything but smooth. Houston lurks as the No. 2 seed with one of the most physical defenses in the country, while Illinois brings one of the most explosive offenses in college basketball. North Carolina, Vanderbilt and Nebraska all arrive capable of making deep runs if things break their way.

Why it matters

The South Region is loaded with talented teams that contrast in styles, which usually leads to unpredictable games and unforgettable moments in the NCAA Tournament. The first round alone offers several games that could completely reshape the bracket.

The details

Florida enters the tournament as the defending national champion, but repeating in March is always difficult. They will begin against the Prairie View A&M and Lehigh winner. Waiting in the second round could be Clemson or Iowa, two teams capable of turning a game into a grind. Nebraska earned a No. 4 seed after a strong Big Ten season built around defense and physical play, but the Cornhuskers have never won an NCAA Tournament game in program history. Vanderbilt shocked Florida in the SEC tournament and features one of the most dangerous perimeter offenses in the field. At the bottom of the bracket sits Houston, a team that rarely beats itself with relentless defense, physical rebounding and suffocating half-court pressure. Illinois arrives with one of the most explosive offenses in the country and a style that can overwhelm opponents quickly.

• The 2026 NCAA Tournament is set to take place.