Mar 15, 2026, 10:00 PM ET
The 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament is nearly upon us, with the field of 68 teams announced and the First Four matchups set to tip off on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Duke, Arizona, Michigan, and defending champion Florida are the four No. 1 seeds, and are heavy favorites to win their first round matchups.
In the First Four, UMBC is a slight favorite over Howard and NC State are slight favorites over Texas. Texas owns a head-to-head win over NC State from the Maui Invitational on a neutral court from earlier in the season.
On Wednesday night, SMU have opened as significant favorites over Miami (OH), who went undefeated in the regular season. Lastly, Patriot League champion Lehigh have opened as slight favorites over the SWAC champion Prairie View A&M.
MORE: Odds for every team to advance, win championship
Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook, subject to change.
TUESDAY-- First Four
(16) UMBC Retrievers -1.5
(16) Howard Bison
Dayton, OH, 6:40 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
UMBC Retrievers (-130)
Howard Bison (+110)
Total: 142.5
UMBC: 24-8, 14-2 in Am. East play
Howard: 23-10, 11-3 in MEAC play
BPI Projection: UMBC Retrievers by 1.5 points, straight up 55.9% of the time
(11) Texas Longhorns
(11) NC State Wolfpack -1.5
Dayton, OH, 9:15 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Texas Longhorns (-105)
NC State Wolfpack (-115)
Total: 161.5
Texas: 18-14, 9-9 in SEC play
NC State: 20-13, 10-8 in ACC play
BPI Projection: NC State Wolfpack by 0.1 points, straight up 50.2% of the time
WEDNESDAY
(16) Prairie View A&M Panthers
(16) Lehigh Mountain Hawks -2.5
Dayton, OH, 6:40 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Prairie View A&M Panthers (+114)
Lehigh Mountain Hawks (-135)
Total: 147.5
Prairie View A&M: 18-17, 9-9 in SWAC play
Lehigh: 18-16, 11-7 in PAT play
BPI Projection: Lehigh Mountain Hawks by 0.9 points, straight up 53.7% of the time
(11) Miami (OH) RedHawks
(11) SMU Mustangs -8.5
Dayton, OH, 9:15 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Miami (OH) RedHawks (+330)
SMU Mustangs (-425)
Total: 165.5
Miami (OH): 31-1, 18-0 in MAC play
SMU: 20-13, 8-10 in ACC play
BPI Projection: SMU Mustangs by 6.7 points, straight up 74.5% of the time
THURSDAY
(9) TCU Horned Frogs
(8) Ohio State Buckeyes -2.5
Greenville, SC, 12:15 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
TCU Horned Frogs (+124)
Ohio State Buckeyes (-148)
Total: 147.5
TCU: 22-11, 11-7 in Big 12 play
Ohio State: 21-12, 12-8 in Big Ten play
BPI Projection: Ohio State Buckeyes by 4 points, straight up 65.4% of the time
(13) Troy Trojans
(4) Nebraska Cornhuskers -13.5
Oklahoma City, OK, 12:40 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Troy Trojans (+800)
Nebraska Cornhuskers (-1350)
Total: 136.5
Troy: 22-11, 12-6 in Sun Belt play
Nebraska: 26-6, 15-5 in Big Ten play
BPI Projection: Nebraska Cornhuskers by 15.9 points, straight up 92.7% of the time
(11) South Florida Bulls
(6) Louisville Cardinals -6.5
Buffalo, NY, 1:30 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
South Florida Bulls (+215)
Louisville Cardinals (-265)
Total: 163.5
South Florida: 24-8, 15-3 in American play
Louisville: 23-10, 11-7 in ACC play
BPI Projection: Louisville Cardinals by 9.1 points, straight up 81% of the time
(12) High Point Panthers
(5) Wisconsin Badgers -11.5
Portland, OR, 1:50 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
High Point Panthers (+550)
Wisconsin Badgers (-800)
Total: 165.5
High Point: 30-4, 15-1 in Big South play
Wisconsin: 24-10, 14-6 in Big Ten play
BPI Projection: Wisconsin Badgers by 7.3 points, straight up 76.3% of the time
(16) Siena Saints
(1) Duke Blue Devils -27.5
Greenville, SC, 2:50 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Siena Saints (+3500)
Duke Blue Devils (-20000)
Total: 136.5
Siena: 23-11, 13-7 in MAAC play
Duke: 32-2, 17-1 in ACC play
BPI Projection: Duke Blue Devils by 28.9 points, straight up 99% of the time
(12) McNeese Cowboys
(5) Vanderbilt Commodores -11.5
Oklahoma City, OK, 3:15 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
McNeese Cowboys (+470)
Vanderbilt Commodores (-650)
Total: 150.5
McNeese: 28-5, 19-3 in Southland play
Vanderbilt: 26-7, 11-7 in SEC play
BPI Projection: Vanderbilt Commodores by 9.2 points, straight up 81.2% of the time
(14) North Dakota State Bison
(3) Michigan State Spartans -16.5
Buffalo, NY, 4:05 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
North Dakota State Bison (+850)
Michigan State Spartans (-1450)
Total: 143.5
North Dakota State: 27-7, 14-2 in Summit play
Michigan State: 25-7, 15-5 in Big Ten play
BPI Projection: Michigan State Spartans by 17.4 points, straight up 94.2% of the time
(13) Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors
(4) Arkansas Razorbacks -15.5
Portland, OR, 4:25 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (+850)
Arkansas Razorbacks (-1450)
Total: 161.5
Hawai'i: 24-8, 14-6 in Big West play
Arkansas: 25-8, 13-5 in SEC play
BPI Projection: Arkansas Razorbacks by 15 points, straight up 91.6% of the time
(11) VCU Rams
(6) North Carolina Tar Heels -2.5
Greenville, SC, 6:50 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
VCU Rams (+120)
North Carolina Tar Heels (-142)
Total: 154.5
VCU: 26-7, 15-3 in A-10 play
North Carolina: 24-8, 12-6 in ACC play
BPI Projection: North Carolina Tar Heels by 2.9 points, straight up 61.5% of the time
(16) Howard Bison/ UMBC Retrievers
(1) Michigan Wolverines
Buffalo, NY, 7:10 p.m. ET
Betting lines TBD
Michigan: 31-2, 19-1 in Big Ten play
BPI Projection: Michigan Wolverines by points, straight up % of the time
(11) NC State Wolfpack/ Texas Longhorns
(6) BYU Cougars
Portland, OR, 7:25 p.m. ET
Betting lines TBD
BYU: 23-11, 9-9 in Big 12 play
BPI Projection: BYU Cougars by points, straight up % of the time
(10) Texas A&M Aggies
(7) Saint Mary's Gaels -2.5
Oklahoma City, OK, 7:35 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Texas A&M Aggies (+120)
Saint Mary's Gaels (-142)
Total: 148.5
Texas A&M: 21-11, 11-7 in SEC play
Saint Mary's: 27-5, 16-2 in WCC play
BPI Projection: Saint Mary's Gaels by 0.8 points, straight up 53.2% of the time
(14) Pennsylvania Quakers
(3) Illinois Fighting Illini -22.5
Greenville, SC, 9:25 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Pennsylvania Quakers (+3000)
Illinois Fighting Illini (-10000)
Total: 149.5
Pennsylvania: 17-11, 9-5 in Ivy play
Illinois: 24-8, 15-5 in Big Ten play
BPI Projection: Illinois Fighting Illini by 22.4 points, straight up 97.3% of the time
(9) Saint Louis Billikens
(8) Georgia Bulldogs -2.5
Buffalo, NY, 9:45 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Saint Louis Billikens (+120)
Georgia Bulldogs (-142)
Total: 170.5
Saint Louis: 28-5, 15-3 in A-10 play
Georgia: 22-10, 10-8 in SEC play
BPI Projection: Georgia Bulldogs by 0.2 points, straight up 50.9% of the time
(14) Kennesaw State Owls
(3) Gonzaga Bulldogs -19.5
Portland, OR, 10 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Kennesaw State Owls (+1800)
Gonzaga Bulldogs (-5000)
Total: 157.5
Kennesaw State: 21-13, 10-10 in C-USA play
Gonzaga: 30-3, 16-2 in WCC play
BPI Projection: Gonzaga Bulldogs by 19.2 points, straight up 95.6% of the time
(15) Idaho Vandals
(2) Houston Cougars -21.5
Oklahoma City, OK, 10:10 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Idaho Vandals (+2500)
Houston Cougars (-9000)
Total: 135.5
Idaho: 13-20, 5-13 in Big Sky play
Houston: 28-6, 14-4 in Big 12 play
BPI Projection: Houston Cougars by 25.1 points, straight up 98.2% of the time
FRIDAY
(10) Santa Clara Broncos
(7) Kentucky Wildcats -3.5
St. Louis, MO, 12:15 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Santa Clara Broncos (+124)
Kentucky Wildcats (-148)
Total: 161.5
Santa Clara: 26-8, 15-3 in WCC play
Kentucky: 21-13, 10-8 in SEC play
BPI Projection: Kentucky Wildcats by 6 points, straight up 72.2% of the time
(12) Akron Zips
(5) Texas Tech Red Raiders -8.5
Tampa, FL, 12:40 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Akron Zips (+285)
Texas Tech Red Raiders (-360)
Total: 157.5
Akron: 29-5, 17-1 in MAC play
Texas Tech: 22-10, 12-6 in Big 12 play
BPI Projection: Texas Tech Red Raiders by 9.5 points, straight up 81.9% of the time
(16) Long Island University Sharks
(1) Arizona Wildcats -30.5
San Diego, CA, 1:35 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Long Island University Sharks (+3000)
Arizona Wildcats (-10000)
Total: 151.5
Long Island University: 24-10, 15-3 in NEC play
Arizona: 32-2, 16-2 in Big 12 play
BPI Projection: Arizona Wildcats by 28.5 points, straight up 99% of the time
(14) Wright State Raiders
(3) Virginia Cavaliers -17.5
Philadelphia, 1:50 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Wright State Raiders (+1400)
Virginia Cavaliers (-3200)
Total: 144.5
Wright State: 23-11, 15-5 in Horizon play
Virginia: 29-5, 15-3 in ACC play
BPI Projection: Virginia Cavaliers by 16.2 points, straight up 93% of the time
(15) Tennessee State Tigers
(2) Iowa State Cyclones -24.5
St. Louis, MO, 2:50 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Tennessee State Tigers (+2200)
Iowa State Cyclones (-8000)
Total: 148.5
Tennessee State: 23-9, 15-5 in OVC play
Iowa State: 27-7, 12-6 in Big 12 play
BPI Projection: Iowa State Cyclones by 25.6 points, straight up 98.4% of the time
(13) Hofstra Pride
(4) Alabama Crimson Tide -12.5
Tampa, FL, 3:15 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Hofstra Pride (+525)
Alabama Crimson Tide (-750)
Total: 161.5
Hofstra: 24-10, 12-6 in CAA play
Alabama: 23-9, 13-5 in SEC play
BPI Projection: Alabama Crimson Tide by 13.8 points, straight up 90.1% of the time
(9) Utah State Aggies -2.5
(8) Villanova Wildcats
San Diego, CA, 4:10 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Utah State Aggies (-135)
Villanova Wildcats (+114)
Total: 147.5
Utah State: 28-6, 15-5 in MW play
Villanova: 24-8, 15-5 in Big East play
BPI Projection: Utah State Aggies by 0.4 points, straight up 51.6% of the time
(11) SMU Mustangs/ Miami (OH) RedHawks
(6) Tennessee Volunteers
Philadelphia, 4:25 p.m. ET
Betting lines TBD
Tennessee: 22-11, 11-7 in SEC play
BPI Projection: Tennessee Volunteers by points, straight up % of the time
(9) Iowa Hawkeyes -1.5
(8) Clemson Tigers
Tampa, FL, 6:50 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Iowa Hawkeyes (-142)
Clemson Tigers (+120)
Total: 130.5
Iowa: 21-12, 10-10 in Big Ten play
Clemson: 24-10, 12-6 in ACC play
BPI Projection: Clemson Tigers by 0.1 points, straight up 50.6% of the time
(12) Northern Iowa Panthers
(5) St. John's Red Storm -10.5
San Diego, CA, 7:10 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Northern Iowa Panthers (+350)
St. John's Red Storm (-455)
Total: 131.5
Northern Iowa: 23-12, 11-9 in MVC play
St. John's: 28-6, 18-2 in Big East play
BPI Projection: St. John's Red Storm by 10.8 points, straight up 85% of the time
(10) UCF Knights
(7) UCLA Bruins -6.5
Philadelphia, 7:25 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
UCF Knights (+200)
UCLA Bruins (-245)
Total: 154.5
UCF: 21-11, 9-9 in Big 12 play
UCLA: 23-11, 13-7 in Big Ten play
BPI Projection: UCLA Bruins by 6 points, straight up 72.2% of the time
(15) Queens University Royals
(2) Purdue Boilermakers -22.5
St. Louis, MO, 7:35 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Queens University Royals (+2200)
Purdue Boilermakers (-8000)
Total: 164.5
Queens University: 21-13, 13-5 in ASUN play
Purdue: 26-8, 13-7 in Big Ten play
BPI Projection: Purdue Boilermakers by 23.8 points, straight up 97.8% of the time
(16) Lehigh Mountain Hawks/ Prairie View A&M Panthers
(1) Florida Gators
Tampa, FL, 9:25 p.m. ET
Betting lines TBD
Florida: 26-7, 16-2 in SEC play
BPI Projection: Florida Gators by points, straight up % of the time
(13) California Baptist Lancers
(4) Kansas Jayhawks -13.5
San Diego, CA, 9:45 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
California Baptist Lancers (+650)
Kansas Jayhawks (-1000)
Total: 135.5
California Baptist: 25-8, 13-5 in WAC play
Kansas: 23-10, 12-6 in Big 12 play
BPI Projection: Kansas Jayhawks by 15.8 points, straight up 92.6% of the time
(15) Furman Paladins
(2) UConn Huskies -19.5
Philadelphia, 10 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Furman Paladins (+2200)
UConn Huskies (-8000)
Total: 136.5
Furman: 22-12, 10-8 in SoCon play
Uconn: 29-5, 17-3 in Big East play
BPI Projection: UConn Huskies by 20.6 points, straight up 96.4% of the time
(10) Missouri Tigers
(7) Miami Hurricanes -1.5
St. Louis, MO, 10:10 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Missouri Tigers (+114)
Miami Hurricanes (-135)
Total: 150.5
Missouri: 20-12, 10-8 in SEC play
Miami: 25-8, 13-5 in ACC play
BPI Projection: Miami Hurricanes by 1.3 points, straight up 55.1% of the time
