Duke, Illinois, Michigan, Arizona Projected to Reach 2026 Final Four

The 2026 NCAA men’s tournament has 16 teams left, with a Big Ten surge noted. East predictions favor Duke over St. John’s and Michigan State over UConn, then Duke edges Michigan State to reach the Final Four. In the South, Illinois beats Iowa to advance, while Illinois over Houston seals the Elite Eight. The Midwest sees Michigan topple Alabama and then beat Iowa State to reach the Final Four. In the West, Arizona defeats Arkansas and Purdue upends Texas, with Arizona advancing. Overall, the projections crown Duke, Illinois, Michigan, and Arizona as the Final Four participants.