NCAA Men's Tournament 2026

[Jiggafini19Deux]

This.

The Final Four this year is legit. I wouldn't bet on IL but they're aren't exactly a bottom feeder Cinderella team either.

I wish I was going to be around this weekend to head downtown. Indy knows how to host sports events.

Illinois has guys from Europe with pro experience. That is a loophole I feel needs closing, but that's another topic.

They've lost to Bama, UConn, UCLA, Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin. Nothing terribly embarrassing. Pretty good team.

I would think the last three games we see will be competitive. Everyone is playing well and playing hard right now. For as good as Arizona and Michigan are, I could see UConn beating either one come Monday.

 

[MeanGreenBeans]

U of M vs. Arizona does feel like it determines the championship. My strategy of a lifetime of brackets with no Western (1997)/Big Ten (2000) - fells destined to be broken this year.

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I still don't count out Hurley. I like that crazy man, don't know why.

Hurley is 17-1 against the spread in the NCAA Tournament since 2023. His only ATS loss during that time was against Furman this year in the 1st round. I've got Arizona winning it all in my bracket, but I also placed a bet on UConn to win it all at +1900 odds because Hurley is a f****** madman and so hard to beat late in the tourney.

 

[Irish2155]

That seems to be the consensus, but betting against Danny Hurley at this point is something one does at his own peril.

Agreed. Ill is huge too. Can’t teach size. Should be an excellent Final Four. I’m going Saturday

 

[Old Man Mike]

24 people handed in picks at my Old People's retirement home bracket contest ($5 per ballot). Seven ancient persons have gotten 46 or more correct out of the 64 games. The leader score is 49. My personal score shall remain "classified" need-to-know (and you don't.)

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

24 people handed in picks at my Old People's retirement home bracket contest ($5 per ballot). Seven ancient persons have gotten 46 or more correct out of the 64 games. The leader score is 49. My personal score shall remain "classified" need-to-know (and you don't.)

I picked Notre Dame to win it all this years also.

 

[Irish2155]

24 people handed in picks at my Old People's retirement home bracket contest ($5 per ballot). Seven ancient persons have gotten 46 or more correct out of the 64 games. The leader score is 49. My personal score shall remain "classified" need-to-know (and you don't.)

Enjoy brother and good luck.

 

[Old Man Mike]

My score stinks so badly there's no "good" in it. I volunteered to help our events director keep the scores tabulated so cheating is my only hope. Still applauding Arizona but the rest of the Big 12 let me down.

As an aside, I've watched and played this game for "hundreds" of years, but something has changed. The amount of throwing your body into every play and onto every floor is just a different level of personal wannabe demand. ... and the refs cannot keep up with this either. When I'd volunteer ref in the very old days, it was tough seeing the flash of hands fouling or not, but do-able. Now given the contact leniency, it's impossible. Also, the value of the "glue" and "warrior" player has gone way up. Those semi-crazed but somehow within-the-rules guys are really necessary alongside the "stars." No more slots for space occupiers.

 

[Irish#1]

AZ and scUM look to be on another level from Ill & UConn. Maybe they take enough out of each other that ILL/UConn winner gets past them?

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

UConn has beaten Florida and Duke this year. Both one seeds. They lost to Arizona by 4 in November.

Illinois plays a style that can beat anyone. They happen to be the lowest seed left and their home arena is 125 miles from Lucas Oil where the Final Four is being played. They're going to travel well.

Arizona or Michigan is still going to have to play another game.