31 States Represented in 2026 NCAA Tournament

Texas leads all states with 7 teams selected for March Madness

Mar. 17, 2026 at 9:34am

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The field of 68 teams for the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament was revealed on March 16, 2026, representing 31 states and Washington, D.C. Texas leads all states with 7 teams selected, while a number of states will not be represented in this year's tournament.

Why it matters

The distribution of teams across states highlights existing regional strengths in college basketball. The concentration of teams from states like Texas and North Carolina could potentially provide an advantage as the tournament progresses, while the absence of teams from other states raises questions about the development and accessibility of the sport in those regions.

The details

Texas has 7 teams participating in the 2026 NCAA Tournament: Houston, Prairie View A&M, SMU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and TCU. North Carolina follows with 5 teams. California, Florida, New York, and Ohio each have 4 teams in the field. The uneven distribution of teams across states suggests a potential disparity in resources, coaching, and player development opportunities.

  • The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket was revealed on Sunday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Samantha Carter

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What’s next

As the tournament begins, the concentration of talent in states like Texas and North Carolina may prove advantageous. However, the single-elimination format of March Madness means any team has the potential to develop a deep run.

The takeaway

The uneven distribution of teams across states suggests a potential disparity in resources, coaching, and player development opportunities. This could lead to a cyclical pattern where established basketball states continue to dominate, while others struggle to gain representation in the tournament.