Elite 8 teams ranked by national championship chances in 2026 men’s March Madness
SB Nation • • general
Key Points:
- The 2026 men’s NCAA tournament has reached the Elite Eight, featuring a mix of top-ranked teams and surprising underdogs, including Illinois, Iowa, Arizona, Purdue, Tennessee, UConn, Duke, and Michigan.
- Illinois, favored to reach the Final Four, will face conference rival Iowa, who are the tournament's Cinderella story led by coach Ben McCollum and star point guard Bennett Stirtz.
- Arizona, known for their physicality and size, will battle preseason No. 1 Purdue in a challenging West regional final, with Arizona considered a strong favorite to advance.
- Michigan, boasting a high ceiling and a dominant defensive second half against Alabama, is seen as the top contender with star player Yaxel Lendeborg leading the charge against Tennessee.
- Other notable teams include Duke, battling injuries but riding a 14-game winning streak, UConn with strong coaching and rebounding presence, and Tennessee known for their relentless offensive rebounding and gritty style.
