Predicted NCAA Tournament Teams: Our College Basketball Bracket Forecast
As the 2025-26 college basketball season approaches, the landscape of the NCAA tournament is becoming clearer. The preseason USA TODAY Sports poll has placed Purdue at the forefront, marking them as the top team to watch.
Predicted NCAA Tournament Teams
Purdue, Duke, Houston, and Florida each secured the No. 1 seeds in the initial bracketology. This assessment highlights which teams are projected to make significant impacts this season.
Purdue Leads the Pack
Purdue is recognized as the No. 1 team in the preseason poll. Their performance and preparation have set a high standard for the competition. Notably, they are accompanied by strong contenders such as Duke, reloading their roster with twin recruits Cameron and Cayden Boozer.
Top Contenders
Florida, aiming for a repeat performance, boasts preseason All-America center Alex Condon. Houston enters the season with a prestigious signing class. These programs are not only aiming for conference titles but also for deep runs in the NCAA tournament.
Notable Teams in the Second Round
- Michigan
- Brigham Young
- Connecticut
- St. John’s (Big East)
Michigan’s elite transfer class includes standout forward Yaxel Lendeborg. Meanwhile, Brigham Young is aiming for a historic first Final Four led by freshman AJ Dybantsa.
Additional Seeds and Predictions
Continuing with the bracket, here are the teams rounding out the top four seeds:
| Seed | Teams |
|---|---|
| No. 3 | Texas Tech, UCLA, Alabama, Louisville |
| No. 4 | Illinois, Iowa State, Kentucky, Arizona |
One eye-catching detail is the No. 5 seed Kansas. They are projected to compete fiercely following a solid previous season.
Watch for Upsets
North Carolina, a significant team that exited in the first round last year, is currently positioned as a No. 8 seed. Gonzaga, despite being a No. 7 seed, is favored to reclaim the West Coast Conference regular-season title, marking their first since 2022-23.
- No. 6 Seed: Arkansas
- No. 5 Seed: Kansas
Arkansas, led by John Calipari, looks promising after a Sweet 16 appearance last season. The Razorbacks aim for greater depth and experience in the SEC this year.
Play-in Games
The play-in games will feature Kansas State facing Marquette and Virginia going against Vanderbilt. These matchups may set the tone for the tournament.
With the predictions taking shape, fans can look forward to an exhilarating college basketball season as teams vie for NCAA tournament glory.
