The magic eight: Teams that can win the 2026 men’s NCAA tournament

[Doctor Hoop]

From Sports Illustrated. We made the list at number 5, along with all the usual suspects.

Duke, Michigan, Arizona, Florida, Iowa State, Illinois, St. Johns. Nothing surprising in the assessments, and regurgitating most of what we've all written here, though worth a read.

 

[NewBlood]

Uhh Iowa state? St John’s? Illinois can’t run 6 straight without a defense. It’s the top 5

 

[HooperScooper]

Similar article from ESPN. 8 teams that can win it all. Yes, UConn is on the list.

The 8 teams that could win the men's NCAA basketball title

It's a no-brainer if one of these eight teams wins in April. For the remaining 357? Better luck next year.

www.espn.com

 

[formerlurker]

Getting in a bunch of posts before someone else starts rapid firing why the other 7 are better equipped to cut down the nets.

 

[Shabazzkets]

I honestly do no think SJ belongs on that list. I know they’re a different team now, but their non conference was so poor. They’re built to win the BE, not a natty.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

Uhh Iowa state? St John’s? Illinois can’t run 6 straight without a defense. It’s the top 5

I agree, but I didn't write the article.

 

[Scottzer]

While I wouldn’t expect them to make a FF, and they’ve played bad lately - I’d definitely have Kansas on the 8 that could. Scary maybe 4 seed for a 1 to play in the s16.

 

[RuffRuff]

Uhh Iowa state? St John’s? Illinois can’t run 6 straight without a defense. It’s the top 5

I'm with you on this. The 4 top teams have KenPom's higher than last year's 1 seeds, and we know how that F4 went. It would be our job to buck that trend.

 

[Lafayette]

Realistically its Duke, Michigan, Arizona, UConn. Thats it.

Houston could not run the gauntlet in B12 alone. Florida is realistically a 4-6 seed. Iowa State runs hot and cold like a Katty Perry song.

SEC is ESPN propped up due to money for tv.

 

[RuffRuff]

Realistically its Duke, Michigan, Arizona, UConn. Thats it.

Houston could not run the gauntlet in B12 alone. Florida is realistically a 4-6 seed. Iowa State runs hot and cold like a Katty Perry song.

SEC is ESPN propped up due to money for tv.

The kicker with this stuff is always whether these teams somehow get knocked out unexpectedly early - it's highly unlikely, but if some team scorches earth with 3s, you never know.

I think Florida is firmly a player. If we are going to grant us potential because of our OOC, then you have to give Florida some credit for having Duke down 1 at Cameron with 30 seconds to do, and losing to us and AZ in road games close. We gave ourselves a lot of credit for losing to AZ close.

 

[Lafayette]

The kicker with this stuff is always whether these teams somehow get knocked out unexpectedly early - it's highly unlikely, but if some team scorches earth with 3s, you never know.

it the SEC gets Georgia, Missouri and Texas in those will be cannon fodder. The above teams are pretty battle tested to fold too early.

 

[superjohn]

The kicker with this stuff is always whether these teams somehow get knocked out unexpectedly early - it's highly unlikely, but if some team scorches earth with 3s, you never know.

I think Florida is firmly a player. If we are going to grant us potential because of our OOC, then you have to give Florida some credit for having Duke down 1 at Cameron with 30 seconds to do, and losing to us and AZ in road games close. We gave ourselves a lot of credit for losing to AZ close.

Again, we didn't have two of our starters/best players against Arizona and the game came right down to the wire. That's the reason we've been giving the team credit in that game. You always fail to mention that and you always make sure to mention all these other teams are different/much better than they were early in the season.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Again, we didn't have two of our starters/best players against Arizona and the game came right down to the wire. That's the reason we've been giving the team credit in that game. You always fail to mention that and you always make sure to mention all these other teams are different/much better than they were early in the season.

No, he knows. He just thinks Arizona flying cross-country on a chartered jet is a bigger disadvantage than not having 40% of your starting lineup.

 

[RuffRuff]

No, he knows. He just thinks Arizona flying cross-country on a chartered jet is a bigger disadvantage than not having 40% of your starting lineup.

Tell me how it matters now without telling me how Florida can't take credit for their losses, without being completely and utterly biased? What's a better loss, Florida at Cameron against one of the highest KP team of all time, or us against AZ at home.

What is the point in being biased? Setting ridiculous expectations to get disappointed against? And to freak out down the road?

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Tell me how it matters now without telling me how Florida can't take credit for their losses, without being completely and utterly biased? What's a better loss, Florida at Cameron against one of the highest KP team of all time, or us against AZ at home.

What is the point in being biased? Setting ridiculous expectations to get disappointed against? And to freak out down the road?

Guy what on earth does this have to do with your inane take on the Arizona game which, i should note, you're not disputing?

 

[Inyatkin]

No, he knows. He just thinks Arizona flying cross-country on a chartered jet is a bigger disadvantage than not having 40% of your starting lineup.

A weekday, lest we forget

 

[RuffRuff]

Guy what on earth does this have to do with your inane take on the Arizona game which, i should note, you're not disputing?

Not worth getting into - let's just watch the games.

 

[Excalibur]

KP isn’t worthless as a comparison between seasons, but it’s close.

 

[YukonDolt6]

When people have to put their money on it...

 

[RuffRuff]

When people have to put their money on it...

Behind ISU is laughable. Would have to think they are KP heavy in these odds.

 

[RuffRuff]

KP isn’t worthless as a comparison between seasons, but it’s close.

As a matter of relativity, this is considered one of the most talented classes of players in years - so I would think a high KP this year is actually more valuable than other years, no?

 

[Donyell 360]

Behind ISU is laughable. Would have to think they are KP heavy in these odds.

Behind Florida and Illinois who we beat head to head is also surprising. But I guess we should be glad, it just means a bigger payout when we win. I say that as someone who would never bet a dime on anything. There is no way to predict what will happen. It is stressful enough watching these games without having money riding on it. If I were to bet though I would bet against UConn, just to hedge my emotional loss. But then I would feel dirty inside so thus I don't bet.

 

[alphasigko]

The kicker with this stuff is always whether these teams somehow get knocked out unexpectedly early - it's highly unlikely, but if some team scorches earth with 3s, you never know.

I think Florida is firmly a player. If we are going to grant us potential because of our OOC, then you have to give Florida some credit for having Duke down 1 at Cameron with 30 seconds to do, and losing to us and AZ in road games close. We gave ourselves a lot of credit for losing to AZ close.

UofA has a history in recent years of early elimination. Not sure about this year, but....

 

[RuffRuff]

UofA has a history in recent years of early elimination. Not sure about this year, but....I

I know, but Lloyd has built something that looks a lot different than what he's had, which were more West Coast finesse teams. This team is built tough, with tough guards and a big front court. Don't love their 3.