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2026 NCAA Tournament Brackets Unveiled: Men's and Women's Matchups

3/15/2026

42 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Selection Sunday revealed the 2026 NCAA Tournament brackets for both men's and women's basketball.
The men's bracket will be announced at 6 PM ET on CBS, and the women's at 8 PM ET on ESPN.
In the men's field, Duke, Arizona, Michigan, and Florida are likely No. 1 seeds, while Auburn sits just outside the field.
The First Four games will begin shortly after the bracket is revealed.

History

Historical Context

The inaugural NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday in 1985 revolutionized college basketball by establishing a formal process for selecting and seeding 64 teams, with 40% receiving at-large bids. This event marked a significant shift in how teams like Duke and Arizona are chosen, enhancing the tournament's popularity and impacting recruitment and funding in college athletics across the United States.

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Story summary

Selection Sunday revealed the 2026 NCAA Tournament brackets for both men's and women's basketball.
The men's bracket will be announced at 6 PM ET on CBS, and the women's at 8 PM ET on ESPN.
In the men's field, Duke, Arizona, Michigan, and Florida are likely No. 1 seeds, while Auburn sits just outside the field.
The First Four games will begin shortly after the bracket is revealed.

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