The state of Texas likes to tout its measurement, however it might additionally brag about touchdown essentially the most groups within the 2026 NCAA Event bracket. Seven packages from the Lone Star State are part of March Insanity 2026, highlighted by 2-seed Houston and 5-seed Texas Tech. Nevertheless, 4 of the seven Texas packages are double-digit seeds, so the Cougars and Pink Raiders would be the state’s greatest bets for deep 2026 NCAA Event bracket runs.
North Carolina (5) is the one different state with greater than 4 groups within the 2026 March Insanity bracket. A complete of 31 states, plus Washington, D.C., are represented within the NCAA faculty basketball match, so curiosity in March Insanity swimming pools and NCAA Event bracket picks stretches throughout the nation. Earlier than you make your 2026 NCAA Event predictions, see the 2026 March Insanity bracket picks from the confirmed pc mannequin at SportsLine.
Two years in the past, SportsLine’s pc simulation nailed large upsets, together with large wins by No. 11 Oregon over No. 6 South Carolina, No. 11 NC State over No. 6 Texas Tech, No. 10 Colorado over No. 7 Florida. Final yr, SportsLine’s pc simulation nailed large upsets, together with calling each 9-seeds that superior within the first spherical, No. 12 Colorado State over No. 5 Memphis, and No. 6 BYU advancing to the Candy 16. The mannequin has crushed over 91 p.c of all CBS Sports activities bracket gamers in 4 of the previous seven tournaments.
This mannequin, which simulates each recreation 10,000 occasions, has nailed 25 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds since its inception in 2016 and nailed UConn’s championship run in 2024. It nailed 12 groups within the Candy 16 and appropriately predicted all 4 Remaining 4 groups a yr in the past.
The SportsLine Projection Mannequin simulates each faculty basketball recreation 10,000 occasions. It entered convention match week on a scorching 14-2 run on its top-rated over/beneath faculty basketball picks relationship again to final season, and is on a 28-21 run on top-rated CBB aspect picks. You should not even take into consideration making a choose with out seeing what their mannequin has to say.
Prime 2026 March Insanity bracket upset picks
One South Area shock the mannequin has recognized: No. 9 Iowa defeats No. 8 Clemson within the first spherical. The Hawkeyes boast the highest scoring protection (66 ppg allowed) within the Huge Ten and the convention’s No. 5 scorer in Bennett Stirtz (20 ppg). Iowa additionally controls the category, as simply three groups permit fewer offensive rebounds per recreation. Not permitting additional possessions would pressure any opponent to wrestle to generate factors, particularly one as weak as Clemson’s.
The Tigers lack a go-to scorer, which is one thing paramount to success in March. They’re the one energy convention staff with none gamers averaging at the least 12 ppg, and a scarcity of offense has led Clemson to a 4-6 document over its final 10 video games. Add in that No. 9 seeds have gained 64.3% of matchups versus No. 8 seeds during the last eight years, and the mannequin backs the Huge Ten to prevail over the ACC on this contest.
One other South Area shock the mannequin has recognized: No. 10 Texas A&M knocks off No. 7 Saint Mary’s. The Aggies are a veteran-laden squad with seven of their prime eight scorers being seniors. Additionally they have unparalleled depth as their 35.6 bench ppg are essentially the most by any energy convention staff during the last decade. Thus, A&M has a lot of scoring choices to throw at Saint Mary’s, and the Gaels merely lack the firepower to maintain up.
Saint Mary’s sits outdoors the highest 100 groups in each scoring (78.2 ppg) and capturing (46.1 FG%). Whereas the Gaels rank tenth nationally in 3P%, they’re simply 266th by way of makes an attempt, which mitigates one among their greatest strengths. This primary-round contest would qualify as a Quad 1 recreation for Saint Mary’s, and the staff is simply 1-4 in Quad 1 video games this yr, in comparison with 26-1 in all different contests. See which different 2026 March Insanity upsets and matchups to focus on right here.
The way to make 2026 NCAA Event bracket predictions
Who wins each tournament-defining matchup? And which groups will make shocking runs via the 2026 NCAA Event bracket? With the mannequin’s monitor document of calling bracket-busting upsets, you may wish to see which stunners it is calling this yr earlier than locking in any 2026 NCAA bracket picks.
So what is the optimum NCAA Event 2026 bracket? And which NCAA Event Cinderella groups will shock faculty basketball? Go to SportsLine now to see which area options two mammoth upsets within the first spherical, together with one by a No. 14 seed, and see which 6-seed makes the Candy 16, all from the mannequin that is nailed 25 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds.
