Gators Lead a Rugged South Region in CBS Bracket Preview

CBS Sports’ South Region preview crowns Florida as the favorite in a bracket that also features a loaded Houston–Illinois–North Carolina cluster. Houston, the No. 2 seed, aims to return to the Sweet 16 at home in Houston, while No. 6 North Carolina draws No. 11 VCU in a tough opener that could hinge on Caleb Wilson’s season-ending injury. Illinois is analytically strong and could push deep, and Nebraska and Vanderbilt face rough, under-seeded draws. The piece highlights Saint Mary’s vs. Texas A&M as the best first-round game, a potential Houston–Illinois second-round showdown as a marquee matchup, and a VCU Cinderella angle, with six players to watch across the region. Florida’s rugged frontcourt and elite rebounding are cited as key edges in a region that would make a Final Four run especially challenging if they must beat Houston in Houston.)