With the start of the 2026 NCAA tournament upon us, it is time to fill out your brackets and make your selections. Through upsets, big wins, devastating losses, and everything else, this year’s tournament is set to be a great one. Four of The Valley Echo’s sports writers decided to each take a region and lay out our picks for the first round.

East Region (Matt Rilli)

1. Duke vs. 16. Siena      Duke

Despite the injury of starting point guard Caleb Foster, expect this game to be a blowout victory for the Blue Devils. They will rely on star Freshman Cameron Boozer to lead the way. 

8. Ohio State vs. 9. TCU   Ohio State

A highly anticipated matchup between a red-hot Ohio State team and the Horned Frogs at TCU. This Ohio State team has looked pretty dominant as of late, defeating Purdue and only losing to Michigan by four points in the Big Ten tournament. Bruce Thorton will lead the way for the Buckeyes, and they will win in close, high-scoring fashion.

5. St. John’s vs. 12. Northern Iowa      St. John’s

Many may think that St. John’s as a 5 seed is disrespectful after a Big East tournament win. However, I expect this game to be closer than many may think. St. John’s has been pretty inconsistent all season, but I do expect them to squeeze this one out against a sneaky good Northern Iowa team.

4. Kansas vs. 13. Cal Baptist  Kansas

Led by freshman guard Darryn Peterson, this Kansas team can be dominant. However, they are inconsistent at times. Coming off a 22-point loss to Houston in the Big 12 tournament, expect them to bounce back and grab a win against California Baptist. 

6. Louisville vs 11. South Florida  South Florida

This Louisville team has been struggling as of late. I’m expecting an upset here, as the AAC tournament champions USF Bulls will win this game in a close battle. 

3. Michigan St. vs. 14. North Dakota St.  Michigan St.

Michigan St. is my winner here due to coach Tom Izzo and his success in big games. However, do not be surprised to see an upset here with this very talented North Dakota St. team. Michigan St. is much more physical and skilled; however, if shots land for North Dakota St, this game can go either way.

7. UCLA vs. 10. UCF  UCLA

UCLA is my winner here. Led by senior Tyler Bilodeau, this Bruins team has been pretty dominant as of late. Recently, they have had big wins over Michigan St., Illinois, and Purdue. Despite UCF’s physicality, expect UCLA to get this one done in a lower-scoring duel.

2. UConn vs. 15. Furman  Furman

Last time Furman made the NCAA March Madness tournament, they had a crazy upset over Virginia in 2023. I am expecting them to upset two-seeded UConn this time around. UConn is coming off a huge loss against St. John’s in the Big East Championship. UConn can definitely win this game; however, I am predicting the upset. 

South Region (Ben Perlman)

1. Florida vs. PV/LEH Florida 

No matter who wins the play-in, Florida is too hot of a team to lose the first round like this. Gators will rely on their toughness and physicality to get the job done. Gators win.

8. Clemson vs. 9. Iowa Clemson 

About as evenly as you can get in an 8 vs 9 matchup, Iowa will only win if they get a big game from their main guy, Bennet Stirtz. I’m not super confident in either team, but Clemson will squeeze out a close one. 

5. Vanderbilt vs. 12. McNeese Vanderbilt

Some part of me really wants to pick McNeese; however, I can’t overlook Vanderbilt and what they have been able to do this season. Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles provide strong guardplay for the Commodores, which usually bodes well in these big tournaments.

4. Nebraska vs. 13. Troy Nebraska

Again, Troy is an attractive pick to me. However, this has been Nebraska’s best season in a lng time, and being the only power four team to never win an NCAA tournament game, they come in with almost a bigger chip on their shoulder than Troy. 

6. North Carolina vs. 11. VCU VCU

A great shooting team that can defend the perimeter and be physical enough is about what you can get with VCU. Combine that with UNC missing their best player and biggest shot-maker, the Rams will upset the Tarheels in shocking fashion.

3. Illinois vs 14. Penn Penn

One of the craziest games of Championship Week took place this Sunday, when Penn upset Yale to win the Ivy League tournament and secure a bid to the NCAA tournament. While I think Illinois is a great team, I predict Penn shocks the world and beats them. 

7. Saint Mary’s vs. 10. Texas A&M Texas A&M

Both teams are offensively capable of shooting the lights out on any given day. However, A&M is clearly the more battle-tested team that has faced a difficult schedule. This game is a toss-up, but A&M will pull through.

2. Houston vs. 15. Idaho Houston

After a decisive loss to Arizona in the Big 12 Championship game, the Cougars are as motivated as ever to win. Falling short last year in the Championship game to Duke as well, Houston will take care of business and move on to the second weekend.

West Region (Nate Faber)

1. Arizona vs. 16. Long Island   Arizona

Arizona has had one of the most dominant seasons in school history. They were able to win the Big 12 tournament and defeat Houston, which is now a two-seed in the tournament. The only way Arizona loses this game is if they become cold from three, and Long Island catches fire from deep.

8. Villanova vs. 9. Utah State  Utah State

The eight-nine matchup is always a close one. While Villanova has had success in past March Madness tournaments, I think Utah State’s suffocating defense will be too much to handle for this Villanova team. 

5. Wisconsin vs. 12. High Point  High Point

After a close loss to top-seeded Michigan in the Big 10 championship, Wisconsin is headed to play High Point. While many people think High Point will get blown out, I think this game will be closer than many think. High Point wins after a dominant second half.

4. Arkansas vs. 13. Hawaii Arkansas

Arkansas has the best player in college basketball right now in Darius Acuff Jr. Unless Arkansas has one of its worst games of the season, Arkansas will advance to the next round with ease.

6. BYU vs. 11. Texas  BYU

After a last-second win over NC State in the first four, Texas has momentum coming into this game against BYU. While I do believe that this will be a close game, BYU will ultimately come out on top with the help of star forward AJ Dybantsa.

3. Gonzaga vs. 14. Kennesaw St.  Gonzaga

Gonzaga basketball has found themselves back as a three-seeded team. While Kennesaw won their conference, their season field goal percentage was 45 percent, which will not be enough to defeat this dominant Gonzaga offense.

7. Miami vs. 10. Missouri  Missouri

Missouri was arguably in the hardest conferences in all of College Basketball in the SEC. As much as I want to pick Miami in this game, Missouri is the clear pick. With only a seven-man rotation, Miami does not have a deep enough team to make it in March Madness.

2. Purdue vs 15. Queens Purdue

Purdue is coming off a statement win this season over number-one-seeded Michigan. Purdue will lean on guard Bradon Smith to lead the way in this tournament and this game. Purdue advances.

Midwest region (Max Buchanan)

1. Michigan vs. 16. UMBC/HOW     Michigan

Neither play-in winner will be able to match the length, athleticism, and talent of the 1-seeded Wolverines. Michigan lands on their feet after suffering their third loss of the season against Purdue in the Big Ten Championship in a big win that advances them to the Round of 32. 

8. Georgia vs. 9. Saint Louis Georgia

In a very close 8 vs. 9 matchup, Saint Louis’s turnover issues will decide the outcome of this game. Even though the Billikens shoot 40.1% from 3 and Georgia allows opponents to shoot at 33.7%, the Bulldog’s athleticism and ability to cause turnovers (13.8 per game) will decide the outcome of this game. 

5. Texas Tech vs 12. Akron  Texas Tech

In a popular upset pick due to J.T. Toppin’s season ending ACL surgery he suffered against Arizona State, you cannot overlook Texas Tech’s star guard, Christian Anderson. The shifty guard is able to generate offense and throw dimes to his teammates, and will spell trouble for an Akron team that allows their opponents to shoot 34.9% from behind the arc. 

4. Alabama vs 13. Hofstra  Hofstra

In a close one, the Hofstra Pride upset Alabama through their superstar guard, Cruz Davis. Hofstra’s pace of play is exactly what it will take to slow down this Crimson Tide’s fast, explosive offense. They will have to play a clean, turnover free game and control the glass, two areas they are capable of doing, if they can pull out the win.

6. Tennessee vs. 11. Miami (OH)/SMU   Tennessee

While I think that Miami Ohio will prove they belong in the NCAA tournament by getting a win over SMU in the First Four, Rick Barnes’s defense, which allows 69.4 ppg, led by 6 ’11’’ Felix Okpara will stymie the Redhawks from penetrating anything inside. 

3. Virginia vs. 14. Wright St.  Virginia

Virginia comes into March Madness as a 3 seed against the 14 seeded Wright State Raiders, who won the Horizon League. Virginia’s stifling defense only allows 68.4 ppg. Paired with their ability to control the boards while shooting 35.9% from 3, Virginia will move on to the second round.   

7. Kentucky vs. 10. Santa Clara  Kentucky

Kentucky comes into the tournament playing inconsistent basketball all year; however, Otega Oweh has the superstar abilities to carry the Wildcats to the finish line. If Kentucky doesn’t turn the ball over and shoots well from 3, the Wildcats will advance. 

2. Iowa St. vs. 15. Tennessee St.  Iowa St. 

Iowa State’s intense defense and ability to shoot the three ball at a 38.9% clip will bring them over Tennessee State. Although Tennessee St. depends on three senior guards that are able to penetrate the paint and shoot at a consistent rate, Iowa State has too much size and discipline for this contest to be close.