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Florida’s quest to repeat as NCAA champion begins in the South Region, where the Gators are the top seed. But in order to get back to the Final Four, their trip will have to go through the city of Houston, where they might also face a potential rematch of last year’s national title game with the hometown Houston Cougars.
There is, however, a lot of basketball to be played before we get to that point in this tough region, which also features an Illinois team that spent numerous weeks ranked in the top 10 this season, and the same Vanderbilt squad that toppled the Gators in the SEC tournament.
March Madness printable bracket: Fill out for predictions, picks in NCAA Tournament
March Madness region breakdown: East | Midwest | West
The Tar Heels have had a little time to accustom themselves to life without standout freshman Caleb Wilson, but their struggles down the stretch after he was lost to injury resulted in some seed slippage. As a consequence, they pick up a tough first-round draw against the Rams, the champs of the Atlantic 10 and a program with a history of contributing to the madness of March (see 2011, First Four to Final Four).
Fred Hoiberg’s Cornhuskers earned their top-16 spot on the bracket with a strong finish in the Big Ten standings. But it’s still an undeniable fact that Nebraska has yet to win a game in the NCAA Tournament. OK, to be fair, the Trojans of Troy haven’t won a game in the Big Dance in their three prior appearances either. But the Sun Belt champ can be a tough out, and Troy coach Scott Cross has led the Trojans to 20-win campaigns in five consecutive seasons.
It’s hard to consider the No. 3 seed a true sleeper, but given the teams ahead of them the Fighting Illini will have a difficult road. In addition, their fans will be more than a little concerned with the team’s recent troubles closing out close games. But they do have the talent to match up with anyone in the region, and if they figure out how to make another play or two down the stretch, they could surprise.
Florida. It took a couple of months for the Gators’ new-look backcourt to find its rhythm, and they reverted to some of their earlier struggles a bit in the SEC tournament. But there are enough experienced hands from last year’s title team to presume that their bad game is behind them. Yes, that potential date with the Cougars in H-town is a concern, but the Gators are still the team to beat.
First Four
Round of 64
Round of 64
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA tournament 2026 South Region predictions for March Madness
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There is, however, a lot of basketball to be played before we get to that point in this tough region, which also features an Illinois team that spent numerous weeks ranked in the top 10 this season, and the same Vanderbilt squad that toppled the Gators in the SEC tournament.
March Madness printable bracket: Fill out for predictions, picks in NCAA Tournament
March Madness region breakdown: East | Midwest | West
South Region best first-round matchup: North Carolina vs VCU
The Tar Heels have had a little time to accustom themselves to life without standout freshman Caleb Wilson, but their struggles down the stretch after he was lost to injury resulted in some seed slippage. As a consequence, they pick up a tough first-round draw against the Rams, the champs of the Atlantic 10 and a program with a history of contributing to the madness of March (see 2011, First Four to Final Four).
South Region potential upset in first round: Troy over Nebraska
Fred Hoiberg’s Cornhuskers earned their top-16 spot on the bracket with a strong finish in the Big Ten standings. But it’s still an undeniable fact that Nebraska has yet to win a game in the NCAA Tournament. OK, to be fair, the Trojans of Troy haven’t won a game in the Big Dance in their three prior appearances either. But the Sun Belt champ can be a tough out, and Troy coach Scott Cross has led the Trojans to 20-win campaigns in five consecutive seasons.
NCAA Tournament South Region sleeper: Illinois
It’s hard to consider the No. 3 seed a true sleeper, but given the teams ahead of them the Fighting Illini will have a difficult road. In addition, their fans will be more than a little concerned with the team’s recent troubles closing out close games. But they do have the talent to match up with anyone in the region, and if they figure out how to make another play or two down the stretch, they could surprise.
NCAA Tournament South Region winner: Florida
Florida. It took a couple of months for the Gators’ new-look backcourt to find its rhythm, and they reverted to some of their earlier struggles a bit in the SEC tournament. But there are enough experienced hands from last year’s title team to presume that their bad game is behind them. Yes, that potential date with the Cougars in H-town is a concern, but the Gators are still the team to beat.
NCAA Tournament South Region schedule
Wednesday, March 18
First Four
- No. 11 Miami (OH) vs. No. 11 SMU | TBD | truTV (Sling TV)
Thursday, March 19
Round of 64
- No. 5 Vanderbilt (26-8) vs. No. 12 McNeese (28-5)
- No. 4 Nebraska (26-6) vs. No. 13 Troy (22-11)
- No. 6 North Carolina (24-8) vs. VCU (27-7)
- No. 3 Illinois (24-8) vs. No. 14 Penn (18-11)
- No. 7 Saint Mary's (27-5) vs. No. 10 Texas A&M (21-11)
- No. 2 Houston (28-6) vs. No. 15 Idaho (21-14)
Friday, March 20
Round of 64
- No. 1 Florida (27-6) vs. No. 16 Prairie View A&M/Lehigh
- No. 8 Clemson (24-10) vs. No. 9 Iowa (21-12)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA tournament 2026 South Region predictions for March Madness
Continue reading...
