Yep, It's Busted

No Team left. 3/29/2026 dwm

It took a last-second three-point shot by the Connecticut Huskies to remove the only team I still had in my 2026 Basketball Bracket, the Duke Blue Devils, the over-all number one team according to the people who selected the team, won't win it this year.

Last year I had one team right, the Florida Gators, who won the tournament.

Purdue, Iowa State, Houston, and Duke were the four I expected to play in Indianapolis. 

The actual four teams are: Arizona, Michigan, Illinois, and Connecticut.

The B1G Ten conference has two teams standing, on opposite sides of the bracket, so it's possible we could see conference rivals playing for the National Championship trophy.

No joy here. 3/29/26 dwm

 The last time two teams from the same conference faced-off was 41 years ago, in 1985 when the Georgetown Hoyas, the favorite, played the Villanova Wildcats. The Wildcats played a game for the ages and beat Georgetown. 

 

 The winner of the Arizona - Michigan semi-final will likely be considered the favorite to win it all. 

 Michigan was ranked at the top of the polls much of the season and Arizona was right there with them. Connecticut won the title in 2023 and 24, so I wouldn't underestimate the Huskies if they advance. Illinois seems like the least likely winner, but they are the only school that hasn't won it all, if they played Michigan, that wouldn't frighten the Fighting Illini.

 At this point, any of these teams could cut down the nets, I'd like to see the intra-conference battle, but I'm going to pick Arizona to take the crown away from Connecticut. Congratulations, Arizona!