Bracketology 2026: March Madness Predictions (Version 10.4)

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Jon Teitel

For our latest CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK VIDEO NOTEBOOK, which contains recaps, previews, and brackets of all the conference tournament action – CLICK HERE

We are 3 days away from Selection Sunday as we continue to make our NCAA tourney predictions. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel correctly picked 66 of the 68 teams that made the 2025 tourney: 62 of his 66 were within 1 spot of their actual seed and 52 were right on the money. He will spend the upcoming days predicting which 68 teams will hear their names called on March 15th. See below for his list of who would make the cut if they picked the field today and if you agree or disagree then feel free to tweet us. To see how he stacks up with other websites (ranked 7th out of 186 bracket veterans over the past 5 years), check out: www.bracketmatrix.com

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SEED: TEAM (CONFERENCE)
1: Duke (ACC)
1: Michigan (Big 10)
1: Arizona (Big 12)
1: Florida (SEC)

2: Connecticut (Big East)
2: Houston (Big 12)
2: Illinois (Big 10)
2: Michigan State (Big 10)

3: Iowa State (Big 12)
3: Nebraska (Big 10)
3: Purdue (Big 10)
3: Gonzaga (WCC): AUTO-BID

4: Alabama (SEC)
4: Virginia (ACC)
4: Kansas (Big 12)
4: Texas Tech (Big 12)

5: Vanderbilt (SEC)
5: Arkansas (SEC)
5: St. John’s (Big East)
5: North Carolina (ACC)

6: Louisville (ACC)
6: Tennessee (SEC)
6: Wisconsin (Big 10)
6: BYU (Big 12)

7: Kentucky (SEC)
7: St. Mary’s (WCC)
7: Miami FL (ACC)
7: Villanova (Big East)

8: Georgia (SEC)
8: UCLA (Big 10)
8: Clemson (ACC)
8: Utah State (MWC)

9: Iowa (Big 10)
9: TCU (Big 12)
9: St. Louis (A-10)
9: Ohio State (Big 10)

10: Texas A&M (SEC)
10: UCF (Big 12)
10: NC State (ACC)
10: Miami OH (MAC)

11: Missouri (SEC)
11: Santa Clara (WCC)
11: Texas (SEC)
11: SMU (ACC)
11: VCU (A-10)
11: Auburn (SEC)

12: South Florida (American)
12: Yale (Ivy)
12: High Point (Big South): AUTO-BID
12: McNeese (Southland): AUTO-BID

13: Northern Iowa (MVC): AUTO-BID
13: Sam Houston (C-USA)
13: Utah Valley (WAC)
13: Hofstra (CAA): AUTO-BID

14: North Dakota State (Summit): AUTO-BID
14: UC Irvine (Big West)
14: Troy (Sun Belt): AUTO-BID
14: Wright State (Horizon): AUTO-BID

15: Tennessee State (OVC): AUTO-BID
15: Furman (SoCon): AUTO-BID
15: Idaho (Big Sky): AUTO-BID
15: Siena (MAAC): AUTO-BID

16: Queens (Atlantic Sun): AUTO-BID
16: UMBC (America East)
16: Lehigh (Patriot): AUTO-BID
16: LIU (NEC): AUTO-BID
16: Howard (MEAC)
16: Alabama A&M (SWAC)

1ST 4 OUT
Indiana (Big 10)
New Mexico (MWC)
San Diego State (MWC)
Seton Hall (ACC)

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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Samford FR G Kaylee Yarbrough

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Jon Teitel

Last Sunday Samford beat Chattanooga 72-67 in the SoCon women’s tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to next week’s NCAA tournament. The Bulldogs made back-to-back NCAA tourney appearances in 2011/2012 but had to wait 14 years before making it back there this month. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Samford FR G Kaylee Yarbrough about being named to the conference all-freshman team and making the NCAA tourney.

You were a starter for your team at New Hope High School since the 7th grade: how on earth were you able to compete against players who were so much older/taller than you? I was really little/skinny so my main thing was to shoot the ball every time I got it.

What made you choose Samford? The coaching staff were so genuine and I could tell that they cared for their players both on/off the court.

You play for Coach Matt Wise: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? He is very smart and knows what he is talking about. He is such a great guy and I love playing for him because he gets along great with us and had a great coaching style.

Last December you scored a career-high 29 PTS/10-18 FG in a 7-PT win at SC Upstate: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? For sure! When I get like that I have so much confidence and it is so fun to be out there.

Last week you were named to the SoCon all-freshman team: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? I was just in shock! I was so happy for my other teammates who got awards of their own because we worked so hard for this.

You finished the regular season 13-18: what was the mood of the team like entering the conference tourney? We bought in: we could have laid down when things were not going our way, but we came together/grew closer/never gave up.

Last Sunday in the SoCon tourney title game you scored a game-high 25 PTS/5-7 3PM in a 5-PT win over Chattanooga: how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most, and what was the feeling like in your locker room afterward? Going into the game I saw how my teammates were playing, so when I subbed in everyone was in good spirits. Once my 1st shot went in I knew that it was over. As far as the postgame, you should see some of the videos because it was LIT in the locker room!

Your highest-ranked opponent this year was Minnesota (who is currently #18 in the nation): what makes them so great? I missed that game, but the Gophers played well together and had a lot of confidence.

You led the team this year with 12.2 PPG: how were you able to make such a great contribution despite being a freshman who only started 10 games? I give credit to my teammates for getting me open looks and setting screens. We are a very unselfish team so once we found our groove this season it has been so much fun.

What kind of seed do you think you deserve, and what kind of seed do you think you will get? I am so grateful for the opportunity to go against great competition and am just looking forward to facing a great opponent having some fun.

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Championship Week Video Notebook – Day 10

Posted on March 12, 2026 by David Griggs

Check out the HOOPS HD SURVIVAL BOARD, which shows who is a lock, who is on the bubble, and who needs the auto-bid

Also, don’t miss our CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT PAGE, which has brackets, times, and viewing information for all 31 conference tournaments

Check out our new HOOPS HD TEAM SHEETS AND DEFCON RATINGS for all 364 D1 teams

Finally, be sure to keep an eye on our most recent BRACKET PROJECTIONS

It is Wednesday of Championship Week!! Which means it is the night before Thursday of Championship Week!! Which is not just the day of Championship Week, but one of the busiest college basketball days of the year!!

Two more conference champions have been crowned as Lehigh won the Patriot League and McNeese State ran away from Stephen F Austin to win the Southland. The Big Sky Championship was also decided, but it was decided after we finished recording this. Several of the Power Conferences got underway as we had pre-quarterfinal rounds in the Big East, the second round of the Big Ten, and the second round of the Big 12. The ACC also got underway, and several bubble teams were in action. We recap all that and all of the rest of today’s action.

And for all you radio lovers, below is an audio only version of the show.

BIG 12 QUARTERFINALS:

ACC QUARTERFINALS:

BIG EAST QUARTERFINALS:

MOUNTAIN WEST QUARTERFINALS:

MAC QUARTERFINALS:

BIG WEST QUARTERFINALS:

CONFERENCE USA QUARTERFINALS:

WAC QUARTERFINALS:

SWAC QUARTERFINALS:

MEAC QUARTERFINALS:

BIG TEN 2ND ROUND:

SEC 2ND ROUND:

ATLANTIC 10 2ND ROUND:

AMERICAN 2ND ROUND:

Posted in Championship Week Video Notebook, Podcasts, Videocasts | 1 Comment

Bracketology 2026: March Madness Predictions (Version 10.3)

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Jon Teitel

For our latest CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK VIDEO NOTEBOOK – CLICK HERE

We are 4 days away from Selection Sunday as we continue to make our NCAA tourney predictions. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel correctly picked 66 of the 68 teams that made the 2025 tourney: 62 of his 66 were within 1 spot of their actual seed and 52 were right on the money. He will spend the upcoming days predicting which 68 teams will hear their names called on March 15th. See below for his list of who would make the cut if they picked the field today and if you agree or disagree then feel free to tweet us. To see how he stacks up with other websites (ranked 7th out of 186 bracket veterans over the past 5 years), check out: www.bracketmatrix.com

.

SEED: TEAM (CONFERENCE)
1: Duke (ACC)
1: Michigan (Big 10)
1: Arizona (Big 12)
1: Florida (SEC)

2: Connecticut (Big East)
2: Houston (Big 12)
2: Illinois (Big 10)
2: Michigan State (Big 10)

3: Iowa State (Big 12)
3: Nebraska (Big 10)
3: Purdue (Big 10)
3: Alabama (SEC)

4: Gonzaga (WCC): AUTO-BID
4: Virginia (ACC)
4: Kansas (Big 12)
4: Texas Tech (Big 12)

5: Vanderbilt (SEC)
5: Arkansas (SEC)
5: St. John’s (Big East)
5: North Carolina (ACC)

6: Tennessee (SEC)
6: Wisconsin (Big 10)
6: Louisville (ACC)
6: BYU (Big 12)

7: St. Mary’s (WCC)
7: Kentucky (SEC)
7: Miami FL (ACC)
7: Villanova (Big East)

8: Georgia (SEC)
8: Clemson (ACC)
8: UCLA (Big 10)
8: Utah State (MWC)

9: Iowa (Big 10)
9: St. Louis (A-10)
9: TCU (Big 12)
9: Ohio State (Big 10)

10: Texas A&M (SEC)
10: UCF (Big 12)
10: NC State (ACC)
10: Missouri (SEC)

11: Miami OH (MAC)
11: Texas (SEC)
11: Santa Clara (WCC)
11: SMU (ACC)
11: VCU (A-10)
11: Indiana (Big 10)

12: South Florida (American)
12: Yale (Ivy)
12: Stephen F. Austin (Southland)
12: High Point (Big South): AUTO-BID

13: Northern Iowa (MVC): AUTO-BID
13: Liberty (C-USA)
13: Utah Valley (WAC)
13: Hofstra (CAA): AUTO-BID

14: UC Irvine (Big West)
14: North Dakota State (Summit): AUTO-BID
14: Troy (Sun Belt): AUTO-BID
14: Montana (Big Sky)

15: Wright State (Horizon): AUTO-BID
15: Siena (MAAC): AUTO-BID
15: Furman (SoCon): AUTO-BID
15: Tennessee State (OVC): AUTO-BID

16: Queens (Atlantic Sun): AUTO-BID
16: Boston University (Patriot)
16: UMBC (America East)
16: LIU (NEC): AUTO-BID
16: Bethune-Cookman (SWAC)
16: Howard (MEAC)

1ST 4 OUT
Auburn (SEC)
New Mexico (MWC)
San Diego State (MWC)
Stanford (ACC)

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CAA Champs: Hofstra postgame celebration!

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Jon Teitel

Here is a quick recap of the best photos I took during the Hofstra postgame celebration last night:

As the clock hit zero the players hit the court to celebrate:

Some were just in disbelief about what just happened:

There were plenty of emotional hugs to go around:

The mascot/cheerleaders were pretty happy as well: shout out to Emma Koehler, who was kind enough to squeeze me in for an interview on Monday right before her team’s semifinal game against Towson:

Preston Edmead may be just a freshman, but when you bank in a 3-PT shot in the final second of OT in the semifinal and then score a career-high 26 PTS in the title game, you become an easy choice for tourney MVP:

There were plenty of small trophies to be passed out, and a big 1 for players to pose with:

I am old enough to remember that cutting down the nets was the ultimate symbol of winning the tourney, but in recent years the ticket punch seems to have taken over:

Last, but certainly not least, props to Coach Speedy Claxton for leading the Pride to its 1st NCAA tourney appearance in 25 years as well as this memorable money shot:

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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Northern Iowa SR G Max Weisbrod

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Jon Teitel

Last Sunday Northern Iowa beat Illinois Chicago 84-69 in the MVC tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to next week’s NCAA tournament. The Panthers made back-to-back NCAA tourney appearances in 2015/2016 but had to wait an entire decade before making it back there this month. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Northern Iowa SR G Max Weisbrod about being a great shooter and making the NCAA tourney.

You began your college career at Northern Michigan, where you were named conference ROY in 2023 and conference POY in 2024: what did it mean to you to receive such outstanding honors? I felt under-recruited in D-2 and had a chip on my shoulder: it was hard to get a good scholarship offer during COVID. I just did what I was supposed to do and had a good team around me.

What made you choose Northern Iowa for the next step of your journey? I went into the portal after my sophomore season and wanted to go somewhere that I could make the NCAA tourney…and now it is obvious that I made the right decision coming here!

You play for Coach Ben Jacobson: what makes him such a great coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? He is a huge reason that I came here. He is a proven coach and has a great staff. All the little things matter to our program and he is a great leader: I would not want anyone else to be my coach.

Through your 1st 2 years in Cedar Falls you are shooting 39.5 3P%/82.9 FT%: what is the secret to being a great shooter? Just putting in the reps/work and getting your shots up. Consistency is the biggest thing.

Last month you set a career high with 18 PTS/5-7 3PM in a win over Bradley: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? Yes. We had a great game plan that night to get some open shots. My teammates found me and I just put the ball through the hoop.

You started conference play 4-0 this season and then lost 5 in a row in January: how were you able to turn things around during the past 2 months? When we had that losing streak we were missing 1 of our best players in Tristan Smith: when he has been healthy this year we are 21-6 with him in the lineup. We had a bad stretch, but once he came back we got rolling.

Last Sunday in the MVC tourney title game you scored 9 PTS in a win over UIC: what did it mean to win a title, and how exhausted was everyone after winning 4 games in 4 days? That was the goal from the start of the season so it was great to have the opportunity to win it. Playing 4 days in a row with some difficult game times was not easy, but we just tried to be the tougher team each day.

Your team’s 61.3 PPG allowed is #1 in the nation: what is the key to playing great defense? Our defensive scheme that our coaches put in has worked very well. We have size/physicality, so our personnel allows us to switch things up on defense.

You have played several top-100 teams this year including Tulsa/Wichita State/St. Mary’s/Belmont: which 1 of them impressed you the most? I would say Tulsa: we did not play great against them (losing 63-60), and they were very physical.

What kind of seed do you think you deserve, and what kind of seed do you think you will get? I think we will get the 12-seed, which we deserve, but it does not matter that much because I feel confident going up against anyone.

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