2026 NCAA Tournament Predictions: Final Four Picks

“Michigan, UConn, Houston, Arizona – This is a somewhat chalky Final Four, but I think there are five teams that stand out (Duke being the other) as better than everyone else. Michigan and UConn both had a hiccup game in the conference championships. They should be locked in from here. Arizona and Houston were the top two teams in the nation’s best conference. They are battle-tested and built to withstand the next three weeks.”
– Jason Kamlowsky (FantasyPros)

“If a team is top five both offensively and defensively in the KenPom rankings, that’s Final Four material. Duke and Arizona are top five on both ends of the floor this year, so I’ve got Duke coming out of the East and Arizona coming out of the West. Michigan lost only one game during the Big Ten regular season and is such a well-rounded team. I like the Wolverines to come out of the Midwest. And I like 3-seeded Illinois to make it out of the South thanks to a huge, physical frontcourt and the scoring of freshman point guard Keaton Wagler.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

“Michigan State, Florida, Iowa State, and Arizona. I do not love Duke’s potential Sweet 16 matchup against St. John’s, and Iowa State, with its ability to spread the floor, is a bad matchup for Michigan. Otherwise, I expect the other No. 1 seeds to advance.”
– Mike Spector (BettingPros)

“I have Duke, Houston, Arizona, and Iowa State in my Final Four. I was very impressed by the entire Big 12 this season, and I believe that competition during the season will benefit them in the tournament. Arizona is my national champion, while Iowa State and Houston have proven to be able to beat any team on any given day. Meanwhile, Duke is the top overall seed and has been one of the most complete teams in the country all season. ”
– Ari Koslow (FantasyPros)

“My Final Four picks are Duke, Houston, Arizona, and Michigan. Despite being part of arguably the toughest region in the tournament as the No. 1 seed in the East, Duke has the blue-chip talent to go up against anyone with confidence, led by potential No.1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft, Cameron Boozer. Isaiah Evans and Cayden Boozer will need to make up for the loss of Caleb Foster to overcome a region that includes No. 2 seed UConn and No. 3 seed Michigan State to make it happen. Houston has played national championship-level basketball outside of losses against Arizona late in the season. With explosive guard Kingston Flemings leading the 2025 runner-up Cougars, the potential to return and avenge the loss is real, even with No. 1 Florida seed likely standing in their way in the Elite Eight in the South Region. In the West Region, Arizona’s body of work speaks for itself after rolling through most opponents with ease. The balance displayed by a lineup led by Jalen Bradley, Koa Peat, and Brayden Burries makes Arizona a pretty easy pick in the West Region. Michigan is loaded with talent despite the loss of L.J. Cason for an explosive, tall lineup led by Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, Eliot Cadeau, and Morez Johnson Jr., under head coach Dusty May. Combined with being rewarded with the most favorable regional as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest, Michigan’s national championship aspirations are very real.”
– Chris Schommer (FantasyPros)