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On Thursday afternoon, the NCAA Tournament will begin, officially marking the start of March Madness.
One of the greatest times of year for a college basketball fan, March Madness is a multi-week span of games which will eventually crown a national champion, starting this weekend with the first-and-second rounds. Next weekend is home to the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, and then followed the next week with the Final Four and national title game.
This season's edition of March Madness is also shaping up to be loaded as well, with a big reason as to why being the level of elite talent. An example of this are some of college basketball's top freshmen set to take the court this March, a lengthy list of big names such as BYU's AJ Dybantsa, Duke's Cameron Boozer, and Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr., among others.
Following are Roll Tide Wire's predictions for the NCAA Tournament, which feature the picks to reach the Final Four, how far Alabama makes a run, and much more.
The Duke Blue Devils are the lone unanimous choice to reach the Final Four by Roll Tide Wire, while both Florida and Arizona are the lone teams picked twice. Alabama also receives a prediction to make a memorable run during March Madness, which would be the Crimson Tide's second-ever Final Four appearance, should it happen.
Roll Tide Wire differs on who will eventually win the national championship, with Alabama joined by both Arizona and Duke, each of which are No. 1 seeds. Of the three teams, Duke last won a national championship back in 2015, while Arizona lifted the trophy in 1997, and Alabama has never won a title in basketball.
One of the best parts of March Madness is a double-digit seed making a run to the second weekend, or potentially beyond, and this year's bracket has a number of teams who could play spoiler during the first-or-second round. A few teams to watch for, per Roll Tide Wire, include UCF and South Florida, which is led by former Alabama assistant Bryan Hodgson, in the East Region, as well as High Point in the West Region.
As for Alabama, the Crimson Tide are certainly a dangerous team entering March Madness, as the Crimson Tide can score with anyone in college basketball. Roll Tide Wire unanimously predicts at-least a Sweet 16 appearance for the Crimson Tide where a matchup against No. 1 seed Michigan could potentially await in the Midwest Region.
Lastly, Labaron Philon Jr. is the popular pick for Alabama's tournament MVP, as the Crimson Tide will certainly need the All-SEC guard to play at an elite level. Another name to watch for could be veteran guard Latrell Wrightsell, who has experience playing in March Madness, as well as on the big stage of the Final Four.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: March Madness predictions for 2026 Final Four, national champion
Continue reading...
One of the greatest times of year for a college basketball fan, March Madness is a multi-week span of games which will eventually crown a national champion, starting this weekend with the first-and-second rounds. Next weekend is home to the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, and then followed the next week with the Final Four and national title game.
This season's edition of March Madness is also shaping up to be loaded as well, with a big reason as to why being the level of elite talent. An example of this are some of college basketball's top freshmen set to take the court this March, a lengthy list of big names such as BYU's AJ Dybantsa, Duke's Cameron Boozer, and Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr., among others.
Following are Roll Tide Wire's predictions for the NCAA Tournament, which feature the picks to reach the Final Four, how far Alabama makes a run, and much more.
Which teams will make the Final Four?
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- Matt Melton's prediction: Duke Blue Devils, Florida Gators, Arizona Wildcats, Iowa State Cyclones
- Steve Holley's prediction: Duke Blue Devils, Michigan Wolverines, Florida Gators, Gonzaga Bulldogs
- Jake Boico's prediction: Duke Blue Devils, Houston Cougars, Arizona Wildcats, Alabama Crimson Tide
The Duke Blue Devils are the lone unanimous choice to reach the Final Four by Roll Tide Wire, while both Florida and Arizona are the lone teams picked twice. Alabama also receives a prediction to make a memorable run during March Madness, which would be the Crimson Tide's second-ever Final Four appearance, should it happen.
Who will win the national championship?
- Matt Melton's prediction: Arizona Wildcats
- Steve Holley's prediction: Duke Blue Devils
- Jake Boico's prediction:Alabama Crimson Tide
Roll Tide Wire differs on who will eventually win the national championship, with Alabama joined by both Arizona and Duke, each of which are No. 1 seeds. Of the three teams, Duke last won a national championship back in 2015, while Arizona lifted the trophy in 1997, and Alabama has never won a title in basketball.
Which double-digit seed makes the deepest NCAA Tournament run?
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- Matt Melton's prediction: South Florida Bulls
- Steve Holley's prediction: UCF Knights
- Jake Boico's prediction: High Point Panthers
One of the best parts of March Madness is a double-digit seed making a run to the second weekend, or potentially beyond, and this year's bracket has a number of teams who could play spoiler during the first-or-second round. A few teams to watch for, per Roll Tide Wire, include UCF and South Florida, which is led by former Alabama assistant Bryan Hodgson, in the East Region, as well as High Point in the West Region.
How long does Alabama's NCAA Tournament run last?
- Matt Melton's prediction: Sweet 16
- Steve Holley's prediction: Sweet 16
- Jake Boico's prediction: National Championship
As for Alabama, the Crimson Tide are certainly a dangerous team entering March Madness, as the Crimson Tide can score with anyone in college basketball. Roll Tide Wire unanimously predicts at-least a Sweet 16 appearance for the Crimson Tide where a matchup against No. 1 seed Michigan could potentially await in the Midwest Region.
Who will be Alabama's NCAA Tournament MVP?
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- Matt Melton's prediction: Labaron Philon Jr.
- Steve Holley's prediction: Latrell Wrightsell
- Jake Boico's prediction: Labaron Philon Jr.
Lastly, Labaron Philon Jr. is the popular pick for Alabama's tournament MVP, as the Crimson Tide will certainly need the All-SEC guard to play at an elite level. Another name to watch for could be veteran guard Latrell Wrightsell, who has experience playing in March Madness, as well as on the big stage of the Final Four.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: March Madness predictions for 2026 Final Four, national champion
Continue reading...
