Down by nine, the Wolfpack rallied to tie the game with less than 20 seconds left on a Tre Holloman free throw. But Tramon Mark hit an improbable jumper with 1.1 seconds left to lift the Longhorns to their second win over the Pack this season.
In November, N.C. State lost to Texas 102-97 in the Southwest Maui Invitational.
Darrion Williams led the way with 21 points in his final game for the Wolfpack. Quadir Copeland added 16.
This story will be updated.
-- ABC11's Tamara Scott and The Associated Press contributed.
US air travel is facing significant disruption following Winter Storm Iona, with flight cancellations, delays, and ongoing recovery operations affecting major hubs.
Veteran play-by-play announcer Tim Brando spent 17 years providing the voice for NCAA Tournament games on CBS.
Although he moved to Fox Sports in 2014, he remained entrenched in college basketball coverage.
So it’s clear Brando knows a little something about the NCAA Tournament, which begins Tuesday with First Four games in Dayton, Ohio.
During a visit with former head coach and ESPN commentator Dan Dakich, Brando revealed a surprising fact about his 2025-26 NCAA bracket. Brando said he has no No. 1 seeds advancing to the Final Four.
“I got ’em all getting knocked out, all of them. … And we’ll still have a great Final Four, Dan,” Brando said as shared by the Outkick X account.
Brando’s entire bracket appears at HoopsHQ.com. He has the No. 1 overall seed, the Duke Blue Devils, losing to St. John’s in the Sweet 16. The other No. 1 seeds — the Florida Gators, Michigan Wolverines and Arizona Wildcats — all advanced to the Elite Eight before falling to No. 2 seeds.
The former CBS announcer predicted the No. 5 seed St. John’s Red Storm and three No. 2 seeds — the Houston Cougars, Purdue Boilermakers and Iowa State Cyclones — will advance to the Final Four in Indianapolis.
Brando moved Houston and Purdue, two programs that have never won an NCAA men’s title, into the championship game. He has the Cougars cutting down the nets.
No. 16 seeds UMBC and Howard meet in the First Four at 6:40 p.m. ET Tuesday, followed by No. 11 seeds Texas and NC State at 9:15 p.m. ET. Both games will be available on truTV and Max.
We're just days away from NCAA Tournament action tipping off in South Philadelphia. It's the city's first time hosting March Madness since 2022.
Preparations got underway on Monday as crews began the intricate, hours-long process of transforming the arena floor. The Sixers court first had to be removed before the NCAA's custom court could be installed.
After the old floor was taken up, workers brought in 16 pallets carrying 250 individual pieces that were laid out and assembled to form the tournament court.
The games being played on Friday in Philadelphia include the following:
No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 14 Wright State on Friday, March 20, at 1:50 p.m.
No. 6 Tennessee vs. the winner of No. 11 Miami (Ohio) and No. 11 SMU on Friday, March 20, at 4:25 p.m.
No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 UCF on Friday, March 20 at 7:25 p.m.
No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Furman on Friday, March 20, at 10 p.m.
Let the madness begin! Four schools in the Delaware Valley will have teams competing in the 2026 NCAA tournament.
For players, stepping onto that hardwood is a moment few take for granted.
Former Villanova basketball standout Corey Fisher says playing in the NCAA Tournament is an honor he'll always cherish.
"Once you see that blue patch - that NCAA patch on the floor, on your jersey - you can never take it for granted," Fisher said. "You get four years to play in college; some guys don't even go. So if you can go one time, it's an honor to go and be blessed to be playing on the biggest stage in the world."
Fisher made the tournament all four years during his Villanova career. He says the experience was even more special when the opening rounds were held in South Philadelphia during his sophomore season.
"It was another home game, to be honest - with the atmosphere, the crowd," he said. "It was even more special for me because more of my family got to come see me in Philadelphia."
Philadelphia is gearing up for a packed sports weekend as the first two rounds of the NCAA men's basketball tournament tip off in South Philadelphia.
With a freshly installed court and all games already sold out, the city is preparing for a surge of fans and national attention.
More than 60,000 fans are expected to pass through the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday and Saturday, including an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 visiting fans representing the eight college teams competing.
The games being played on Friday in Philadelphia include the following:
No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 14 Wright State on Friday, March 20, at 1:50 p.m.
No. 6 Tennessee vs. the winner of No. 11 Miami (Ohio) and No. 11 SMU on Friday, March 20, at 4:25 p.m.
No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 UCF on Friday, March 20 at 7:25 p.m.
No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Furman on Friday, March 20, at 10 p.m.
This year marks the 29th time Philadelphia has hosted NCAA tournament games, dating back to 1939 when the Palestra held the city's first event.
Let the madness begin! Four schools in the Delaware Valley will have teams competing in the 2026 NCAA tournament.
Larry Needle, executive director of PHL Sports, said Philadelphia leaned heavily on its experience with major events when pitching to host again.
"This is the first of just an incredible slate of events for Philadelphia this year, and I'd venture to say that maybe no other city has hosted a four-month stretch like this one," Needle said. "When you look at March Madness, PGA championships, World Cup, and the MLB All-Star Game, it's something we should all be incredibly proud of."
This tournament weekend serves as the unofficial tipoff to a major run of high-profile sporting events headed to the city over the next four months, positioning Philadelphia as a central hub for both national and international competition.
The SEC program owns the fourth seed in the Midwest Region as March Madness prepares to tip off Thursday. However, Alabama could be without one of its leading scorers heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Alabama’s Holloway has been “removed from campus” after law enforcement allegedly found over a pound of marijuana. The school says an investigation is being conducted, but this now puts serious doubt over Holloway’s March Madness status.
Alabama's Aden Holloway, the Tide's second-leading scorer, has been "removed from campus" the week of the NCAA Tournament pending further investigation by the university, the team announced.
Holloway was arrested Monday after authorities allegedly found over a pound of marijuana… pic.twitter.com/IA6SWVXGMN
An ESPN report indicates that Holloway faces two felony drug charges, including first-degree possession of marijuana-not for personal use. Tuscaloosa police arrested Holloway Monday after the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force “recovered more than a pound of marijuana, paraphernalia and cash.”
The timing of the situation couldn’t be worse for the Crimson Tide as their second-leading scorer now battles legal drama. This season, Holloway is averaging 16.8 points per game heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Holloway’s mugshot has been released to the public Monday following the wild update for Alabama’s basketball team.
Alabama has also become one of the top scoring offenses in the country this season, so Holloway’s potential absence could lead to serious output issues once the NCAA Tournament begins.
Alabama Crimson Tide guard Aden Holloway shoots against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
The Crimson Tide are one of 10 SEC teams that have qualified for March Madness in 2026. The Florida Gators earned one of the number one seeds in the tournament.
The cream of the crop rose to the top in last year’s NCAA Tournament. Every No. 1 seed advanced to the Final Four. It’s just the second time that’s happened. The year before that, three of the Final Four squads were top seeds.
So, does that mean that the big dreams of Cinderella teams have come to an end? Will there ever be another underdog who gives us a fairy tale ride? One that’s worth rooting for against the mighty giants?
With NIL money and all kinds of player movement this past year, ya never know. It’s possible, of course, but so is completing a perfect bracket (uh-huh, riiight).
As we prepare for the First Four games on Tuesday, let’s look at four lower-seeded teams that could sneak into the Sweet 16. We’re talking teams seeded No. 8 or below, one from each region.
I don’t see any of these teams making it past that. Just surviving the first weekend would be a remarkable accomplishment.
EAST REGION (No. 8 Ohio State)
Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) reacts after making a 3-pointer against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Don’t let the Buckeyes’ 21-12 record fool you. OSU is a top-25 team according to both KenPom and Barttorvik, the two most respected statistical sites utilized during March Madness.
I find it odd that oddsmakers have Ohio State as a mere 2.5-point favorite over 22-11 TCU (43rd at Ken Pom; 49th at Barttorvik).
Their records are nearly identical, but over the past five weeks, the Buckeyes have beaten a surging Purdue squad, taken down Iowa, and narrowly lost to Michigan in the Big 10 conference tournament.
Senior point guard Bruce Thornton has been explosive down the stretch, and he’ll be a tough matchup for TCU.
The problem is, after sending the Horned Frogs home, OSU will face (gulp) No. 1 overall seed Duke. The bad-ass Blue Devils will pose major problems. An upset is highly unlikely, but, hey, a No. 8 has toppled a No. 1 seed in the second round twice in the past five years:
So it can be done, but that’s a tall order against a loaded Duke squad.
SOUTH REGION (No. 11 VCU)
Mar 15, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; VCU Rams guard Tyrell Ward (15) looks at the Championship trophy after defeating the Dayton Flyers in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament Championship game at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
VCU is HOT.
The tough Rams have won 16 of their last 17 games, including the Atlantic 10 conference title game.
They face a true blue blood in North Carolina to begin the tournament. Ordinarily, the Tar Heels would be double-digit favorites, but freshman and future NBA lottery pick Caleb Wilson is out for the tourney with a thumb injury, which really hurts UNC’s hopes.
The Rams will be biting at the heels of UNC from the start and I expect a close game — as do bookmakers.
Carolina is just a 2.5-point favorite and the Rams are rolling at the right time under first-year coach Phil Martelli Jr.
VCU has the ability to score from anywhere and is a great 3-point shooting squad.
An upset is ripe for the taking here.
Up next will be Illinois (Sorry, Penn), which statistically has the best offense in the country. The Fighting Illini (7th overall in KenPom ratings and sixth in Barttorvik) should have been a No. 2 seed and will have a chip on their shoulder.
WEST REGION (No. 9 Utah State)
Mar 20, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Utah State Aggies guard Mason Falslev (12) shoots the ball during the second half against the UCLA Bruins in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Another off-the-radar team — except to KenPom (No. 30) and Barttorvik (No. 28) — that is capable of reeling off two wins.
This is the fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance for the Aggies — and, if you most know, that’s short for “agricultarists.” Their mascot is a bull named Big Blue.
USU is led by do-it-all junior guard Mason Falslev, the Mountain West Player of the Year and a rising star who will need to do a bit of everything for USU to beat No. 8 Villanova, another true blue blood from the Big East.
Despite a 24-8 record, the eighth-seeded Wildcats (No. 33 at KenPom, No. 36 at Barttorvik) are 2.5-point underdogs, one of two such teams (Iowa is the other, over Clemson) in the first round.
I’m taking the Aggies but a win would mean another matchup against another Wildcats team — Arizona, my pick to win it all.
MIDWEST REGION (No. 10 Santa Clara)
March 9, 2026; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Santa Clara Broncos head coach Herb Sendek celebrates in the locker room after defeating against the Saint Mary’s Gaels after the game at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
I’m going the other way, Jay.
Santa Clara’s last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 1996, when the 10th-seeded Broncos upset No. 7 Maryland. Before that, in 1993, a ragtag bunch of Broncos, a No. 15 seed led by future two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, shocked No. 2 Arizona in the first round.
Thirty years later, Santa Clara is once again a 10 and faces a formidable program in Kentucky (No. 7). The Broncos (No. 35 KenPom, No. 29 Barttorvik) have a 26-8 record that includes solid wins over Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga. They’re led by veteran coach Herb Sendek, a former Kentucky assistant, and led by WCC conference MVP Graham Ike, along with Christian Hammond, Elijah Mahi, and Bukky Oboye.
Kentucky (No. 28 at KenPom, No. 31 Barttorvik) are only 3.5-favorites to rise to victory, but I’m saying the Wildcats fall.
However, the next step for Santa Clara to reach the Sweet 16 would be to oust the incredibly talented Iowa State Cyclones. The Broncos could be one (win) and done (most likely).
Conclusion
Is it time for another Cinderella story during this year’s March Madness? Sure feels like there could be a bit of mayhem even if there are four clear favorites (Duke, Arizona, Michigan, Florida), the four No. 1 seeds, to cut down the nets as national champions.
But fans adore underdogs — count me among them — so here’s hoping and praying we get a little magic from a surprise school.
Now, get your snacks and comfy chair ready for the greatest four days in sports: The first week of the NCAA Tournament.
There is no tradition in sports quite like the ‘Cinderella’ run. Every March, mid-major programs punch their tickets to the Big Dance, often arriving as double-digit seeds with little national recognition, but with plenty of upset potential.
What makes them dangerous isn’t just the “underdog” tag — it’s the element of surprise. Because most of the time these teams play outside the national spotlight, opponents often know very little about them.
As we head into the 2026 tournament, three programs have the tools to disrupt the field and ignite their own ‘Cinderella’ run.
1) High Point University
The High Point Panthers enter the tournament after a dominant 30-win season and are currently ranked third nationally in scoring (90.0 PPG). This isn’t just a high-scoring team, though. The Panthers are a veteran-led group with postseason experience.
Senior guard Scotty Washington anchors the perimeter, providing elite efficiency with a 38.2 three-point percentage. Additionally, if fans are looking for this year’s version of March Madness icon Jack Gohlke, they should look no further than Chase Johnston. Johnston has been lethal from deep, shooting a staggering 48.5% on 132 attempts this season.
Beyond volume shooting, High Point excels at free-throw shooting. StartersConrad Martinez (84.4%) and Rob Martin (83.8%) lead the team at the stripe.
After punching their ticket to the Big Dance for the second consecutive year and finishing 15-1 in the Big South, High Point enters the tournament with confidence. They have the poise and experience to write their own story.
BACK-TO-BACK BIG SOUTH CHAMPS
The High Point Panthers are going to the tourney in back-to-back seasons
Riding the momentum from last year when McNeese State took down Clemson in the first round, the Cowboys return to the tournament for a third consecutive season after finishing 28-5, including 19-3 in the Southland Conference.
The Cowboys aren’t just a tough out; they are among the most disruptive teams in the country. They sit at the top of the nation in turnover margin, with a ratio of 7.3, and force the second-most turnovers per game in the nation at 17.
Primarily, McNeese thrives by turning defense into offense, ranking second nationally in steals per game (10.5). This quick transition scoring complements a half-court defense holding opponents to 66.5 points per game and 40.7% shooting.
Additionally, experience drives this squad. Seniors DJ Richards Jr. and Javohn Garcia have helped lead the charge for the Cowboys all season.
Above all, what separates McNeese from other mid-majors is Power 5 experience. High-major transfers like Garwey Dual (Seton Hall/Providence) and Jerrell Colbert (SMU/Kansas State/LSU) provide the Cowboys with experience in high-intensity matchups.
MCNEESE CLINCHES ITS THIRD-STRAIGHT NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE
Despite falling short in the conference championship to Gonzaga, the Santa Clara Broncos enter March Madness with a resume demanding respect. They finished 26-8 overall and 15-3 in the West Coast Conference.
This team is built on massive size and analytical efficiency. The lineup features 7-foot-1 center Bukky Oboye, who shoots 66.5% from the field. Alongside him is 6-foot-9 point-forward Jake Ensminger, shooting 53.6%.
Complementing interior size is Christian Hammond, the team’s leading scorer at 15.8 points per game. With all this size, the Broncos’ offensive efficiency is reflected analytically: they rank 37th in KenPom and 42nd in the NET.
Furthermore, any doubts about handling pressure were answered in the WCC semifinals. Santa Clara beat then-No. 21 Saint Mary’s, another tournament-bound team. They enter the Big Dance with the confidence and metrics of a team capable of a deep run.
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1996, THE SANTA CLARA BRONCOS ARE GOING BACK TO MARCH MADNESS
Selection Sunday has concluded, and the full bracket is set for March Madness. The reveal brought several controversial snubs and a few surprising selections.
The tournament tips off on March 19 with the first round. Every year, fans try to predict how the bracket will unfold—but March Madness rarely goes according to plan.
Brackets get busted in the opening round. Cinderella teams make unexpected postseason runs. With that in mind, here are three bold predictions for the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
Miami (OH) will be one-and-done
Miami (OH) RedHawks players cheer for Miami (OH) RedHawks guard Justin Kirby (6) after a dunk in the second half of a NCAA men’s basketball game between the Miami RedHawks and Buffalo Bulls, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at Millett Hall in Oxford, Oh. RedHawks won 105-102.
No team in this year’s field has sparked more debate than Miami (OH). Fans either love the RedHawks’ inclusion or believe the committee made a major mistake—there’s very little middle ground.
Miami finished the regular season 31–1, an impressive record on paper. However, the RedHawks stumbled in their conference tournament and looked vulnerable against tougher competition.
That vulnerability could show up immediately in the NCAA tournament. Miami opens against a hungry SMU squad that narrowly missed last year’s field.
Head coach Andy Enfield knows how to navigate March. He led USC to the Elite Eight in 2021, and his Mustangs will enter this matchup prepared and motivated. Don’t be surprised if SMU ends Miami’s March Madness before it really begins.
No SEC team will make it past the Sweet 16
Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner (3) drives against Florida guard Urban Klavzar (7) during their semifinal game of the 2026 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, March 14, 2026.
The SEC sent plenty of teams to the NCAA tournament, but quantity doesn’t guarantee a deep run. Many of those teams landed in extremely difficult regions.
The opening round sets up relatively well for several SEC programs. The real challenge begins in the Round of 32, where the competition ramps up significantly.
Alabama and Georgia, in particular, face daunting paths if they hope to advance. Both teams would likely have to knock off higher-seeded contenders just to reach the Sweet 16. That raises a real possibility: the SEC could miss the Elite Eight entirely.
Florida carries the biggest target as the defending national champion. The Gators not only carry championship expectations but also the weight of the conference’s hopes. If they stumble, the SEC’s tournament run could end earlier than many expect.
Troy makes the Elite Eight
Troy University mascot T-Roy is seen during the first half of their first round NCAA men’ s basketball tournament game against Kentucky on Friday March 21, 2025 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis.
Every March Madness needs a Cinderella—and Troy could be this year’s story.
Head coach Scott Cross has guided the Trojans to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances, giving the program valuable experience on college basketball’s biggest stage.
Last year’s tournament ended in brutal fashion with a lopsided loss to Kentucky. That defeat, however, may serve as motivation rather than a setback.
This year’s bracket also appears more favorable for Troy. With a few timely performances and the confidence that comes with postseason experience, the Trojans could make a serious run.
March Madness March 19 & 21 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville in 2026.
If that happens, Troy may become the team that captures the hearts of college basketball fans across the country. Talent, momentum, and experience could make the difference in this year’s March Madness.
The moment that college basketball fans have been waiting for has finally come, with Selection Sunday set to determine which teams will be participating in the 2026 NCAA Tournament to determine this year’s national champion.
We will learn the official 68-team field for March Madness when the Selection Sunday Show begins live at 6:00 p.m. ET on CBS.
The 2026 tournament will begin with the First Four on Tuesday, March 17, before the first round kicks off on Thursday, March 19.
Mar 22, 2025; Wichita, KS, USA; A general view of a March Madness logo at center court before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Drake Bulldogs at Intrust Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images
This year’s championship game will be held on Monday, April 6, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on TBS.
All of the information you need to watch the Selection Sunday Show and official bracket reveal for March Madness can be seen below.
Mar 26, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; General view of the NCAA March Madness logo during a practice session in preparation for an East Regional semifinal game at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026 Start Time: 6:00 p.m. ET TV Info: CBS Live Stream: Stream 1 (free trial)
2026 NCAA Tournament schedule & locations
Mar 21, 2025; Cleveland, OH, USA; General view of the “March Madness” logo prior to the game between the Robert Morris Colonials and the Alabama Crimson Tide during the NCAA Tournament First Round at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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