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2026 NCAA Tournament Champ Contenders - Model Results
To win your bracket pool, you've got to pick the right Champ. Here is a collection of computer model results from me (BracketResearch), KenPom, BartTorvik, ESPN, and EvanMiya.
According to the models, we're very top-heavy this year. It's even more likely than usual that a 1-seed will win this one.
Observations
- 69% chance this year's champ is a 1-seed, according to Avg prob
- Duke > Michicgan > Arizona, according to BR, POM, TOR, and ESPN
- EM not only favors Michigan, but Michigan is a heavy favorite (26.5%)
- 2-Connecticut - not only the weakest 2-seed, but consensus less likely champ than 3-Illinois
- ESPN favors 2-Houston over 1-Florida (9.4% vs 7.7%)