Extremely Early 2026 March Madness Championship Winner Predictions

The Wildcats’ success isn’t attributed to just one big star; they currently have six players averaging over 10 points per game, with Koa Peat leading the team at 14.4. On offense, they thrive on sharing the ball, but defensively, they rely on creating turnovers and on multiple bigs holding down the paint. Leading the team in blocks is seven-foot-two center Motiejus Krivas, with 1.9 per game, while they also have three players averaging over 1.6 steals per game.

This is a team that has a little bit of everything and depth in its rotations, which will be crucial come tournament time. Currently, they are one of the top teams to bet on, with a +600 line to win the championship per Caesars. If they remain healthy, there aren’t many teams that can stop them.

2. Michigan Wolverines (14-0)

The next team most people are already thinking about is the Michigan Wolverines, who are ranked number two in ESPN’s top 25 NCAA men’s college basketball rankings with 1,493 points. One point shy of the Wildcats, the Wolverines have also had quite the impressive season so far, having three wins over top-25-ranked teams. Most recently, they beat the former number 24-ranked USC Trojans 96-66, knocking them out of the top 25 rankings.

The Wolverines’ success also isn’t attributed to just one star; they have five players averaging over 10 ppg, with Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. each over 13.9. On the defensive side, they are one of the best in the country, with three players above 1.3 blocks per game, including seven-foot-three center Aday Mara, who has 2.6.

Not only does Michigan create multiple block shots, but it also generates tons of steals, with three players averaging over 1.6 per game. While it creates turnovers in any way possible, it also limits opposing offenses to a 34.6% field goal percentage, which leads the country among any Division 1 team.

The Wolverines have deep depth that will give them an advantage over many other teams come March Madness, but their excellent defense makes them especially deadly. Many sportsbooks, including Caesars, are already ahead, with them leading all teams at +400 to win March Madness. It will be interesting to see how that changes with a tough schedule still ahead. If they are as good as the stats sheet shows, this is still a great time to buy in.

3. Iowa State Cyclones (14-0)

The last undefeated team and one to watch out for is the Iowa State Cyclones, who are ranked third in ESPN’s top 25 NCAA men’s college basketball rankings, with 1,390 points. The Cyclones might not have as many top-25 wins as the Wildcats or the Wolverines, but they have two quality wins over St. John’s (83-82) and Purdue (81-58). A close game with the St. John’s Red Storm might scare some away. Since then, though, Iowa State has been on a tear, demolishing opponents, including a 23-point win over the former number-one-ranked Purdue Boilermakers.

The Cyclones’ high-scoring offense is led by three star players: Milan Momcilovic (18.5 ppg) , Joshua Jefferson (17.5 ppg), and Tamin Lipsey (14.0 ppg). With two other players averaging 10 or more ppg, they have plenty of scorers, but they also have the most players on this list averaging 14 or more. Not only do they have great shooters, but they also have one of the best scoring defenses in the country, ranked ninth, allowing only 62.6 ppg.

With not as much depth as other teams, it can be a more challenging road to a March Madness championship, but as long as Iowa State stays healthy, this could be its winning season. Having plenty of tough matchups still to play, including a game against the Wildcats in early March, anything can happen between now and then.

Currently, the Cyclones have a +850 line to win March Madness per Caesars, the best value among the remaining undefeated teams. If you believe in them, now is the perfect time to buy in.

4. Duke Blue Devils (14-1)

The last team most likely to win March Madness is the Duke Blue Devils, who rank sixth in ESPN’s top 25 NCAA men’s basketball teams with 1,206 points. Unlike the rest of the teams on this list, the Blue Devils are not undefeated; they lost one game to the Texas Tech Red Raiders (82-81) in late December. Besides losing one game, they have performed incredibly well, defeating five other top-25 teams and outscoring them 375-336.

The Blue Devils’ offensive success is unique among the teams on this list, with Cameron Boozer averaging 23.3 ppg, tied for first in the country. Besides Boozer, they have two other players averaging more than 10.5 ppg: Isaiah Evans (14 ppg) and Patrick Ngongba II (10.5 ppg), so they’re more limited in who can score.

This hasn’t stopped Duke from winning, with a defense that ranks 18th in the country, allowing only 38.6% of opponents’ shots to fall; they keep themselves in every game. Leading the team in steals is, of course, Boozer, but besides him, three other players average more than one per game.

Having the least depth of any team mentioned, any significant injury to Boozer would completely derail Duke, giving it no chance at a championship in March. Right now, he is healthy, and the Blue Devils are back on a three-game winning streak, most recently beating the Louisville Cardinals (84-73), ESPN’s 20th-best team in the country.

With the most risk of any team on this list, Duke currently stands at +1200 to win March Madness per Caesars. If Boozer can stay healthy all year and give them a one seed before the tournament starts, the sky is the limit for them.

End Of My Extremely Early March Madness Predictions Rant

If you’re just a fan looking to see who’s on top right now, keep an eye on all four of these teams as the season progresses. If you want a mid-season bet before odds shift in March, the wise choice is to consider the Wolverines or the Wildcats, but the Cyclones are also worth the risk. With three players averaging more than 14 ppg and a great defense that only allows 62.6 ppg, they will be a tough team to beat come tournament time.

With plenty more games this season and all of these teams facing tough schedules ahead, we will have to see how they hold up over time. Right now, these four are firing on all cylinders and are at the top of the pack.