While the Iowa men’s basketball team is returning to the NCAA tournament for the first time in three years, the program has coaches and players who have previous success winning in postseason play more recently.
The Hawkeyes feel confident their previous experiences will help when they play Clemson on Friday.
“I would say probably just the confidence of knowing that you can win a game in March Madness, especially last year we were underdogs (at Drake), and we weren’t supposed to be able to go there and do it,” said Cam Manyawu, an Iowa junior forward. “Now we are at a Power Five program and you are kind of expected to come in and win some of those games. So now just having the confidence to know that we can do that, and understanding what it takes to win a march madness game, and then also knowing what loses you a march madness game, so taking those lessons and growing from them.”
“It’s all the little, tidy details. That’s the biggest thing because we’ve had a bunch of years where we’ve been really close (at Northwest Missouri State and Drake) where we lose Sweet 16s,” said Ben McCollum, Iowa men’s basketball’s head coach. “We just learned how much those little ‘death by 1,000 paper cuts,’ like, can you do that to another team.”
Iowa men’s basketball last won a game in the NCAA tournament during the 2020-21 season.
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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
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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