The Duke Blue Devils were the top overall seed in the 2026 NCAA Division I men’s college basketball tournament after a 74-70 win over Virginia in Saturday’s ACC Tournament title game.
Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
The excitement of March Madness is in full swing as Selection Sunday reveals the brackets for the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments. This year, the Duke Blue Devils and the UConn Huskies have taken the spotlight as the top seeds in their respective tournaments.
After a triumphant 74-70 victory over Virginia in the ACC Tournament championship, Duke’s men’s team, boasting a 32-2 record, secured the top overall seed. Meanwhile, the UConn women’s team enters the NCAA tournament undefeated for the first time since 2018, aiming to defend their national title. They, too, were named the top overall seed.
To view the complete brackets, visit the men’s tournament bracket and the women’s tournament bracket.
The men’s tournament kicks off with the “First Four” matchups on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by the full Round of 64 beginning Thursday. The women’s tournament will see its “First Four” games on Wednesday and Thursday, with the Round of 64 starting Friday.
The Men’s Bracket
Duke’s men’s basketball team, with a 32-2 record and fresh off an ACC title, has overcome injuries to key players like Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba to clinch the top seed. They’re on a quest for the school’s 19th all-time Final Four appearance.
Joining Duke as No. 1 seeds are Arizona (32-2), who also secured their conference tournament title, Michigan (31-3), who lost the Big Ten title game to Purdue, and defending national champions Florida.
A major point of debate for the selection committee was Miami (OH), which ended the season 31-1 but faced criticism for having an easy schedule with no ranked opponents. Despite the concerns, they were given a No. 11 seed and will face SMU in a “First Four” matchup for a chance to advance.
Selection committee chair Keith Gill explained the decision, stating, “They came in before N.C. State, Texas, and SMU,” but adjustments were made based on “the predicted metrics and the difference in the quality of the wins.”
Fans can look forward to performances from standout freshmen like BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, all expected to be top NBA draft picks. Kansas secured a No. 4 seed, while BYU received a No. 6 seed.
Historic moments await as Queens University of Charlotte and California Baptist University make their NCAA tournament debuts. Queens, a No. 15 seed, will face Purdue, while California Baptist, a No. 13 seed, will take on Kansas.
UConn forward Sarah Strong (#21) and guard Azzi Fudd (#35) are two of the best players in women’s college basketball this season. The Huskies are undefeated going into the NCAA tournament.
Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images
Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images
The Women’s Bracket
The UConn Huskies, with a rich history in women’s college basketball, have returned to the forefront after reclaiming the national title last year under the leadership of point guard Paige Bueckers. This season, led by standout players Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd, they are favorites to repeat as champions, entering the tournament with a perfect 34-0 record and the top overall seed.
The Huskies face potential challenges, including a possible second-round matchup against Iowa State, whose center Audi Crooks is the second-leading scorer in the nation, and a potential Elite Eight clash with Vanderbilt, featuring National Player of the Year contender Mikayla Blakes.
UCLA, with a 31-1 record, joins UConn as a No. 1 seed, having dominated most of their games, including a stunning 51-point victory over Iowa in the Big Ten title game. Seniors Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, and Gabriela Jaquez aim for redemption after last year’s loss to UConn.
South Carolina and Texas round out the No. 1 seeds. South Carolina seeks another championship after their undefeated season two years ago, while Texas aims for their first title win since 1986.
Historically, the women’s tournament has seen fewer upsets than the men’s. The lowest seed to win a title was No. 3, achieved by Louisiana State in 2023. This year, Duke’s women’s team, a No. 3 seed, aims to make history with Coach Kara Lawson at the helm.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
