The path seems clear for both programs to reach the Sweet 16. Houston could be in for a rock fight with No. 7 Saint Mary's, but the Cougars are suited to play a lower-scoring game, unlike some other high-paced power-conference squads. Illinois and North Carolina are both potentially vulnerable in the bottom half of the bracket.

From upset picks to Final Four predictions, FOX Sports' Michael Cohen breaks down the complete NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament bracket.

But winning 31 games matters. Miami finished 37th in WAB despite not accumulating one Quad 1 victory, mostly due to away game domination. Miami (Ohio) beat teams like Air Force, UNC Asheville, Eastern Kentucky and Wright State on the road in non-conference play. It finished with 14 road wins alone this season.

The Bulls now head to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in program history and the first time in 14 years, earning the No. 11 seed and a matchup against No. 6 seed Louisville on March 19 in Buffalo, New York.

Iowa finished the regular season 20-11 overall and 10-10 in Big Ten play under first-year head coach Ben McCollum. The Hawkeyes won their first game in the 2026 Big Ten Tournament, defeating Maryland, then lost to Ohio State by three points.

The Florida Gators enter the NCAA Tournament hoping to repeat last year's run to a national title.

Tyler Tanner scored 20 points as No. 22 Vanderbilt beat fourth-ranked Florida 91-74 to end the defending national champion’s bid to win a second straight Southeastern Conference Tournament title and possibly hurt the Gators’ bid for a No.