Yaxel Lendeborg and Michigan are heavy favorites in their first-round matchup. Michael Reaves/Getty Images
The 2026 men’s college basketball tournament is nearly upon us, with the field of 68 teams announced and the First Four matchups set to tip off on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Duke, Arizona, Michigan, and defending champion Florida are the four No. 1 seeds, and are heavy favorites to win their first round matchups.
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In the First Four, UMBC is a slight favorite over Howard and NC State are slight favorites over Texas. Texas owns a head-to-head win over NC State from the Maui Invitational on a neutral court from earlier in the season.
On Wednesday night, SMU have opened as significant favorites over Miami (OH), who went undefeated in the regular season. Lastly, Patriot League champion Lehigh have opened as slight favorites over the SWAC champion Prairie View A&M.
MORE: Odds for every team to advance, win championship
Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook as of latest time-stamp and are subject to change.
TUESDAY– First Four
(16) UMBC Retrievers -1.5
(16) Howard Bison
Dayton, Ohio, 6:40 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
UMBC Retrievers -122
Howard Bison +102
Total: 140.5
UMBC: 24-8, 14-2 in Am. East play
Howard: 23-10, 11-3 in MEAC play
BPI projection: UMBC Retrievers by 1.5 points, straight up 55.9% of the time
(11) Texas Longhorns -1.5
(11) NC State Wolfpack
Dayton, Ohio, 9:15 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Texas Longhorns -110
NC State Wolfpack -110
Total: 157.5
Texas: 18-14, 9-9 in SEC play
NC State: 20-13, 10-8 in ACC play
BPI projection: NC State Wolfpack by 0.1 points, straight up 50.2% of the time
WEDNESDAY
(16) Prairie View A&M Panthers
(16) Lehigh Mountain Hawks -3.5
Dayton, Ohio, 6:40 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Prairie View A&M Panthers +140
Lehigh Mountain Hawks -166
Total: 142.5
Prairie View A&M: 18-17, 9-9 in SWAC play
Lehigh: 18-16, 11-7 in PAT play
BPI projection: Lehigh Mountain Hawks by 0.9 points, straight up 53.7% of the time
(11) Miami (OH) RedHawks
(11) SMU Mustangs -6.5
Dayton, Ohio, 9:15 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Miami (OH) RedHawks +250
SMU Mustangs -310
Total: 164.5
Miami (OH): 31-1, 18-0 in MAC play
SMU: 20-13, 8-10 in ACC play
BPI projection: SMU Mustangs by 6.7 points, straight up 74.5% of the time
THURSDAY
(9) TCU Horned Frogs
(8) Ohio State Buckeyes -2.5
Greenville, South Carolina, 12:15 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
TCU Horned Frogs +120
Ohio State Buckeyes -142
Total: 146.5
TCU: 22-11, 11-7 in Big 12 play
Ohio State: 21-12, 12-8 in Big Ten play
BPI projection: Ohio State Buckeyes by 4 points, straight up 65.4% of the time
(13) Troy Trojans
(4) Nebraska Cornhuskers -13.5
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 12:40 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Troy Trojans +650
Nebraska Cornhuskers -1000
Total: 137.5
Troy: 22-11, 12-6 in Sun Belt play
Nebraska: 26-6, 15-5 in Big Ten play
BPI projection: Nebraska Cornhuskers by 15.9 points, straight up 92.7% of the time
(11) South Florida Bulls
(6) Louisville Cardinals -5.5
Buffalo, New York, 1:30 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
South Florida Bulls +185
Louisville Cardinals -225
Total: 165.5
South Florida: 24-8, 15-3 in American play
Louisville: 23-10, 11-7 in ACC play
BPI projection: Louisville Cardinals by 9.1 points, straight up 81% of the time
(12) High Point Panthers
(5) Wisconsin Badgers -9.5
Portland, Oregon, 1:50 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
High Point Panthers +370
Wisconsin Badgers -485
Total: 164.5
High Point: 30-4, 15-1 in Big South play
Wisconsin: 24-10, 14-6 in Big Ten play
BPI projection: Wisconsin Badgers by 7.3 points, straight up 76.3% of the time
(16) Siena Saints
(1) Duke Blue Devils -27.5
Greenville, South Carolina, 2:50 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Siena Saints +3500
Duke Blue Devils -20000
Total: 135.5
Siena: 23-11, 13-7 in MAAC play
Duke: 32-2, 17-1 in ACC play
BPI projection: Duke Blue Devils by 28.9 points, straight up 99% of the time
(12) McNeese Cowboys
(5) Vanderbilt Commodores -11.5
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 3:15 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
McNeese Cowboys +455
Vanderbilt Commodores -625
Total: 150.5
McNeese: 28-5, 19-3 in Southland play
Vanderbilt: 26-7, 11-7 in SEC play
BPI projection: Vanderbilt Commodores by 9.2 points, straight up 81.2% of the time
(14) North Dakota State Bison
(3) Michigan State Spartans -16.5
Buffalo, New York, 4:05 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
North Dakota State Bison +1000
Michigan State Spartans -1800
Total: 143.5
North Dakota State: 27-7, 14-2 in Summit play
Michigan State: 25-7, 15-5 in Big Ten play
BPI projection: Michigan State Spartans by 17.4 points, straight up 94.2% of the time
(13) Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors
(4) Arkansas Razorbacks -15.5
Portland, Oregon, 4:25 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors +800
Arkansas Razorbacks -1350
Total: 159.5
Hawai’i: 24-8, 14-6 in Big West play
Arkansas: 25-8, 13-5 in SEC play
BPI projection: Arkansas Razorbacks by 15 points, straight up 91.6% of the time
(11) VCU Rams
(6) North Carolina Tar Heels -2.5
Greenville, South Carolina, 6:50 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
VCU Rams +114
North Carolina Tar Heels -135
Total: 153.5
VCU: 26-7, 15-3 in A-10 play
North Carolina: 24-8, 12-6 in ACC play
BPI projection: North Carolina Tar Heels by 2.9 points, straight up 61.5% of the time
(16) Howard Bison / UMBC Retrievers
(1) Michigan Wolverines
Buffalo, New York, 7:10 p.m. ET
Betting lines TBD
Michigan: 31-2, 19-1 in Big Ten play
(11) NC State Wolfpack / Texas Longhorns
(6) BYU Cougars
Portland, Oregon, 7:25 p.m. ET
Betting lines TBD
BYU: 23-11, 9-9 in Big 12 play
(10) Texas A&M Aggies
(7) Saint Mary’s Gaels -2.5
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 7:35 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Texas A&M Aggies +136
Saint Mary’s Gaels -162
Total: 146.5
Texas A&M: 21-11, 11-7 in SEC play
Saint Mary’s: 27-5, 16-2 in WCC play
BPI projection: Saint Mary’s Gaels by 0.8 points, straight up 53.2% of the time
(14) Pennsylvania Quakers
(3) Illinois Fighting Illini -24.5
Greenville, South Carolina, 9:25 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Pennsylvania Quakers +2000
Illinois Fighting Illini -6500
Total: 150.5
Pennsylvania: 17-11, 9-5 in Ivy play
Illinois: 24-8, 15-5 in Big Ten play
BPI projection: Illinois Fighting Illini by 22.4 points, straight up 97.3% of the time
(9) Saint Louis Billikens
(8) Georgia Bulldogs -2.5
Buffalo, New York, 9:45 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Saint Louis Billikens +136
Georgia Bulldogs -162
Total: 169.5
Saint Louis: 28-5, 15-3 in A-10 play
Georgia: 22-10, 10-8 in SEC play
BPI projection: Georgia Bulldogs by 0.2 points, straight up 50.9% of the time
(14) Kennesaw State Owls
(3) Gonzaga Bulldogs -20.5
Portland, Oregon, 10 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Kennesaw State Owls +1400
Gonzaga Bulldogs -3200
Total: 154.5
Kennesaw State: 21-13, 10-10 in C-USA play
Gonzaga: 30-3, 16-2 in WCC play
BPI projection: Gonzaga Bulldogs by 19.2 points, straight up 95.6% of the time
(15) Idaho Vandals
(2) Houston Cougars -23.5
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 10:10 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Idaho Vandals +2200
Houston Cougars -8000
Total: 136.5
Idaho: 13-20, 5-13 in Big Sky play
Houston: 28-6, 14-4 in Big 12 play
BPI projection: Houston Cougars by 25.1 points, straight up 98.2% of the time
FRIDAY
(10) Santa Clara Broncos
(7) Kentucky Wildcats -3.5
St. Louis, Missouri, 12:15 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Santa Clara Broncos +140
Kentucky Wildcats -166
Total: 160.5
Santa Clara: 26-8, 15-3 in WCC play
Kentucky: 21-13, 10-8 in SEC play
BPI projection: Kentucky Wildcats by 6 points, straight up 72.2% of the time
(12) Akron Zips
(5) Texas Tech Red Raiders -7.5
Tampa, Florida, 12:40 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Akron Zips +260
Texas Tech Red Raiders -325
Total: 156.5
Akron: 29-5, 17-1 in MAC play
Texas Tech: 22-10, 12-6 in Big 12 play
BPI projection: Texas Tech Red Raiders by 9.5 points, straight up 81.9% of the time
(16) Long Island University Sharks
(1) Arizona Wildcats -30.5
San Diego, Californa, 1:35 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Long Island University Sharks +5000
Arizona Wildcats -100000
Total: 150.5
Long Island University: 24-10, 15-3 in NEC play
Arizona: 32-2, 16-2 in Big 12 play
BPI projection: Arizona Wildcats by 28.5 points, straight up 99% of the time
(14) Wright State Raiders
(3) Virginia Cavaliers -18.5
Philadelphia, 1:50 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Wright State Raiders +1300
Virginia Cavaliers -2800
Total: 144.5
Wright State: 23-11, 15-5 in Horizon play
Virginia: 29-5, 15-3 in ACC play
BPI projection: Virginia Cavaliers by 16.2 points, straight up 93% of the time
(15) Tennessee State Tigers
(2) Iowa State Cyclones -24.5
St. Louis, Missouri, 2:50 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Tennessee State Tigers +2200
Iowa State Cyclones -8000
Total: 149.5
Tennessee State: 23-9, 15-5 in OVC play
Iowa State: 27-7, 12-6 in Big 12 play
BPI projection: Iowa State Cyclones by 25.6 points, straight up 98.4% of the time
(13) Hofstra Pride
(4) Alabama Crimson Tide -11.5
Tampa, Florida, 3:15 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Hofstra Pride +575
Alabama Crimson Tide -850
Total: 159.5
Hofstra: 24-10, 12-6 in CAA play
Alabama: 23-9, 13-5 in SEC play
BPI projection: Alabama Crimson Tide by 13.8 points, straight up 90.1% of the time
(9) Utah State Aggies -1.5
(8) Villanova Wildcats
San Diego, Californa, 4:10 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Utah State Aggies -135
Villanova Wildcats +114
Total: 147.5
Utah State: 28-6, 15-5 in MW play
Villanova: 24-8, 15-5 in Big East play
BPI projection: Utah State Aggies by 0.4 points, straight up 51.6% of the time
(11) SMU Mustangs / Miami (OH) RedHawks
(6) Tennessee Volunteers
Philadelphia, 4:25 p.m. ET
Betting lines TBD
Tennessee: 22-11, 11-7 in SEC play
(9) Iowa Hawkeyes -2.5
(8) Clemson Tigers
Tampa, Florida, 6:50 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Iowa Hawkeyes -135
Clemson Tigers +114
Total: 129.5
Iowa: 21-12, 10-10 in Big Ten play
Clemson: 24-10, 12-6 in ACC play
BPI projection: Clemson Tigers by 0.1 points, straight up 50.6% of the time
(12) Northern Iowa Panthers
(5) St. John’s Red Storm -10.5
San Diego, Californa, 7:10 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Northern Iowa Panthers +440
St. John’s Red Storm -600
Total: 131.5
Northern Iowa: 23-12, 11-9 in MVC play
St. John’s: 28-6, 18-2 in Big East play
BPI projection: St. John’s Red Storm by 10.8 points, straight up 85% of the time
(10) UCF Knights
(7) UCLA Bruins -5.5
Philadelphia, 7:25 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
UCF Knights +205
UCLA Bruins -250
Total: 152.5
UCF: 21-11, 9-9 in Big 12 play
UCLA: 23-11, 13-7 in Big Ten play
BPI projection: UCLA Bruins by 6 points, straight up 72.2% of the time
(15) Queens University Royals
(2) Purdue Boilermakers -25.5
St. Louis, Missouri, 7:35 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Queens University Royals +2200
Purdue Boilermakers -8000
Total: 163.5
Queens University: 21-13, 13-5 in ASUN play
Purdue: 26-8, 13-7 in Big Ten play
BPI projection: Purdue Boilermakers by 23.8 points, straight up 97.8% of the time
(16) Lehigh Mountain Hawks/ Prairie View A&M Panthers
(1) Florida Gators
Tampa, Florida, 9:25 p.m. ET
Betting lines TBD
Florida: 26-7, 16-2 in SEC play
(13) California Baptist Lancers
(4) Kansas Jayhawks -14.5
San Diego, Californa, 9:45 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
California Baptist Lancers +750
Kansas Jayhawks -1200
Total: 138.5
California Baptist: 25-8, 13-5 in WAC play
Kansas: 23-10, 12-6 in Big 12 play
BPI projection: Kansas Jayhawks by 15.8 points, straight up 92.6% of the time
(15) Furman Paladins
(2) UConn Huskies -20.5
Philadelphia, 10 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Furman Paladins +1700
UConn Huskies -4500
Total: 137.5
Furman: 22-12, 10-8 in SoCon play
Uconn: 29-5, 17-3 in Big East play
BPI projection: UConn Huskies by 20.6 points, straight up 96.4% of the time
(10) Missouri Tigers
(7) Miami Hurricanes -1.5
St. Louis, Missouri, 10:10 p.m. ET
Moneyline:
Missouri Tigers +110
Miami Hurricanes -130
Total: 147.5
Missouri: 20-12, 10-8 in SEC play
Miami: 25-8, 13-5 in ACC play
BPI projection: Miami Hurricanes by 1.3 points, straight up 55.1% of the time
