Five Teams Who Can Win March Madness Plus Sleeper Teams

With the turn of the calendar, we are now entering the mayhem as March Madness is upon us.  Over the next week, several teams will vie to book their ticket to the dance.  

Florida, the defending national champions, is looking to make a run at repeating, while other powerhouse programs like Duke, Arizona, and Michigan are teams that are built to win.  While the favorites will contend, which programs have a shot at upsetting the bracket in 2026?  Here’s our look at the top ten teams who can win it all. 

Michigan Wolverines (+310)

When they play at their best, there isn’t a team as dominant as the Wolverines. Yaxel Lendeborg (14.3) and Morez Johnson Jr. (13.4) are the engines who lead Michigan in scoring, while Elliot Cadeau has been running the floor efficiently as the guard.  The Wolverines showed how good they can be when they ran Gonzaga, winning by 40 points. Defensively, this team is led by 7′ 3″ Aday Mara, who averages 2.6 blocks per game.  For opponents, they’re not winning by getting to the rim; instead, they’ll rely on long-range and three-point tries.  At their best, no one will stop Michigan.   And even at their worst, the Wolverines can grind out victories, the perfect trait for a championship contender.

Duke Blue Devils (+325)

The Duke Blue Devils’ national championship odds and title case start with arguably the best player in college basketball. The Blue Devils have the best player in college hoops on their roster, and Cameron Boozer has a chance to lead them to a national title.  He’s a winner, having won four state high school titles and a national championship as a senior, not to mention other personal accolades.  What has made Duke unstoppable of late is the defense, at one point, holding 14 opponents to under 70 points a game.   Isaiah Evans (14.9) can score in bunches, while Patrick Ngongba II (6.0 REB) has been a rebounding machine.  There aren’t many holes in this squad.  The Devils made it to the Final 4 a year ago and have all the pieces to not only get there again, but win their first championship since 2015.  

Arizona Wildcats (+500)

Size matters at Arizona as the Wildcats are one of the more physical teams in the country.

Motiejus Krivas averages over 8 rebounds a game and is a force under the rim, not to mention his 1.8 blocks per game as well.  Arizona defends well and makes opponents try to attack.  Jaden Bradley, Ivan Kharchenkov, Koa Peat, and Tobe Awaka can be suffocating to penetrate.  Arizona has wins versus Florida and UConn, and with the emergence of freshman Brayden Burries (15.5 PPG), the Cats have a chance to make a deep run. 

Florida Gators (+700)

In SEC play, Florida has won 15 of 16 games, including 13 victories by more than 10 points.  

Guard Boogie Fland (11.5) has become consistent with his offense and terrific on defense while the Gators are getting quality minutes off the bench. Florida has been great on the glass 

Posting top-10 offensive and defensive rebounding rates. Great in transition and stubborn to play against their big men, the Gators make a real threat to a national championship.

Houston Cougars (+1000)

A year ago, the Cougars were one shot away from winning the national title but fell to Florida 65-63.  Houston remains in the mix this season, but of the five losses, all have come against their toughest opponents, meaning they have struggled to win against top-tier competition.  Still, they have the pedigree of tournament play, and that experience could get them back to the Final Four.

Connecticut Huskies (+1400)

Dan Hurley has led UConn to two titles and has a team that could earn him a third. The Huskies have a trio of elite shooters as Alex Karaban, Braylon Mullins, and Solo Ball can all take over a game at any time.  UConn is tough to defend, and just like previous championship teams, this one consists of a deep bench.  Malachi Smith has been productive at the point while Jayden Ross and Jaylin Stewart add athleticism up front.  Coaching alone, the Huskies can’t be left out of the conversation.

Iowa State Cyclones (+2200)

The Cyclones are tough, experienced, and have a trio of veterans, Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson, and Milan Momcilovic, who could take this team to the Final Four.  Iowa State has won big games, including a road win at Purdue and going 3-0 at the Players Era in Las Vegas.

Jefferson has been productive up front, 16.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, and the Cyclones are always known for their defense under T.J. Otzelberger, which bodes well in tournament play.

Dark Horses

Purdue Boilermakers (+4000)

Purdue has been a consistent contender in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournament under long-time head coach Matt Painter. Their identity often centers on elite size, efficient spacing, and disciplined execution, the kind of traits that translate well in a single-elimination format.  

Michigan State Spartans (+4000)

Jeremy Fears Jr. has been excellent this season for the Spartans, 15.1 PPG and 9.1 assists per game.  He’s found a way to draw fouls, especially in key moments of the game.  Freshmen Jordan Scott and Cam Ward have played well of late and are shooting well.  But does Michigan State have what it takes to make a deep run? Possibly, if it gets the right draw.

Gonzaga Bulldogs (+5000)

The Bulldogs started strong, but of their three losses, two (Portland, Saint Mary’s) came against weaker competition.  Gonzaga also lost to Michigan.    Missing one of their top scorers, Braden Huff hasn’t helped, but the Bulldogs still have the pieces to be dangerous, but may not have enough shotmakers to go all the way.

Final Thoughts

March Madness is like no other tournament, as upsets are aplenty and chaos is guaranteed.   But the one thing we’ve learned is the lowest seed to ever win a national title is #8, the 1985 Villanova Wildcats.  When the draw is set, be sure to check the rankings and make your picks accordingly.