🏀 March Madness Predictions Today 2026: Expert Picks for Every NCAA Tournament Game

Our March Madness predictions are filling out for the Sweet 16. Just because your bracket is long busted doesn't mean you can't get some awesome action later on this week, there's plenty of edges to be found.

Our coverage will span all 63 games of the 2026 NCAA Tournament through the national championship on Monday, April 6, so bookmark this page and return often for all the latest picks. 

See my 2026 March Madness bracket below, along with our experts' March Madness predictions for every game. Enjoy a couple days of rest and study, the third round gets underway on Thursday and Friday.

🏀 Expert March Madness bracket 2026: Full picks & predictions

Even though it's long busted, it's not too late to click here to download our free printable NCAA Tournament bracket and scribble in your picks, so you don't have to keep opening pool websites and seeing that you're not competing for first place. You can fill in your best March Madness predictions through the national championship on April 6, and watch the madness over the next three weeks.

Need some help with your bracket? Our expert March Madness bracket predictions are here to help! Here's where I stood heading into the tournament: Hey, at least my Elite Eight remains intact!

🎯 Ranking the No. 1 seeds: The clearest path to the Final Four

Check out the latest March Madness odds and Final Four odds.

The overall favorite: Michigan (+360)

Despite losing the Big Ten Tournament championship to Purdue and slipping behind Arizona in the selection committee's rankings, Michigan is the March Madness odds favorite. That's because the Wolverines have the clearest path to the Final Four.

Dusty May's team is in a Midwest region that includes several single-digit seeds that are susceptible to upsets (Alabama, Texas Tech, Tennessee, Kentucky) and the lowest-ranked No. 3 seed by KenPom (Virginia).

Though guard play remains a question, especially with the injury to L.J. Cason, Michigan's dominant frontcourt is capable of bullying its way to the Final Four in Indianapolis. There's also a realistic chance that Yaxel Lendeborg and Co. won't even have to play a high-major until the Elite Eight.

The most vulnerable No. 1 seed: Florida (+750)

Everyone's talking about the East region being loaded with blue bloods and legendary coaches, which it is, but I do not envy what the defending champions will need to deal with in the South. 

Todd Golden's Gators have the best No. 2 seed (Houston) and No. 3 seed (Illinois) in the bracket for my money. Kelvin Sampson's Cougars are one of five teams ranked in the top 15 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, while the Fighting Illini are No. 1 in the country in offensive rating (125.5).

The South is also home to a Vanderbilt team that just beat Florida in the SEC Tournament, not to mention two potential March heroes. Iowa's Bennett Stirtz is one of three high-major players in the country averaging 20-plus PPG and 4.5-plus APG, while Troy's Victor Valdes has earned the nickname "Mexican Luka" for a reason.

When you're ready, test your skills via these FREE March Madness bracket contests.

🔮 2026 Regional breakdowns: Predicting the winners

East Region (Washington, D.C.)

Our C Jackson Cowart made his East Region predictions for the first round.

• Quick take: This region is stacked with blue blood programs and championship-winning coaches, but no team has the talent to stop Wooden Award odds favorite Cameron Boozer
• Best regional value bet: St. John's (+1300) - Rick Pitino has done it all in his Hall of Fame career and just blew out UConn to win a second straight
• Dark horse: South Florida (+75000) - Hodgson's team plays with absurd pace and is one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the country
• Final Four pick: Duke (-165)

West Region (San Jose)

See our full West Region first-round preview.

• Quick take: The West is full of star guards, from Darius Acuff Jr. to Braden Smith; however, no team has the length and defensive dominance of Arizona, with Tommy Lloyd's team sitting No. 3 in adjusted defensive efficiency
• Best regional value bet: Purdue (+800) - the preseason favorites to win it all are heating up at the right time after dismantling Michigan in the NCAA Tournament
• Dark horse: Utah State (+10000) - the Aggies should have been at least a top eight seed with Jerrod Calhoun having a nasty guard combo in Mason Falslev and MJ Collins
• Final Four pick: Arizona (-120)

South Region (Houston)

Cowart has Vanderbilt making a run to the Sweet 16 as a long shot with his South Region predictions.

• Quick take: This is going to be the most competitive region (Florida, Houston, and Illinois are all capable of making a push to the Final Four), with Houston having the highest ceiling due to its combo of guard play and defensive talent
• Best regional value bet: Illinois (+460) - at its best, Illinois can beat anyone because of Keaton Wagler and the insane size of Brad Underwood's roster, and I think the Sweet 16 winner of Illinois vs. Houston will beat Florida
• Dark horse: Troy (+50000) - Scott Cross is one hell of a coach, and the Trojans surround their scary frontcourt duo of Valdes and Thomas Dowd with capable shooters in the Campbell brothers (Cooper and Cobi)
• Final Four pick: Houston (+230)

Midwest Region (Chicago)

We cover our Midwest Region best bets, with Alabama as a potential darkhorse.

• Quick take: Maybe losing to Purdue worked out for Michigan, which ends up in what appears to be the easiest region, one full of inconsistent teams that do not have the size to match May's Wolverines
• Best regional value bet: Iowa State (+460) - the Cyclones are the hardest top three seed to gauge, some nights looking like championship contenders and others looking like frauds, but they're the only Midwest team that can compete with Michigan
• Dark horse: Akron (+30000) - the Zips have an explosive offense that plays with tempo and is led by a star guard in Johnson, who could lead Akron to some shocking wins
• Final Four pick: Houston (+230)

🏆 Final Four & national championship picks

 Need tips for your bracket? Here are a few things to know about how to fill out a March Madness bracket. 

🆚 March Madness Sweet 16 matchups & previews

Here is the March Madness Sweet 16 schedule, and our betting preview:

💰 March Madness predictions: Sweet 16 schedule

Here is the NCAA Tournament schedule, along with our predictions for every game; odds via DraftKings:

Thursday, March 26

Friday, March 27

📅 March Madness schedule & key dates

• Selection Sunday: March 15
• First Four: March 17-18 (Dayton, Ohio)
• First round: March 19-20
• Second round: March 21-22
• Sweet 16: March 26-27
• Elite Eight: March 28-29
• Final Four: Saturday, April 4
• National championship game: Monday, April 6