Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg. David Banks-Imagn Images

Big Ten, Big 12 rule the NCAA Tournament top 16 reveal

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Feb 21, 2026 3:02 PM ET

The NCAA Tournament is going "Big" in 2026.

On Saturday, the selection committee for the upcoming men's NCAA Tournament, which tips off with the First Four on March 17, revealed its current top 16 bracket, and two conferences ruled over everyone else.

The Big Ten and Big 12 combined for 10 of the 16 spots, with the Michigan Wolverines (25-1, 15-1 in Big Ten) named the top team in the field and the Arizona Wildcats (24-2, 11-2 in Big 12) and Iowa State Cyclones (23-3, 10-3 in Big 12) nabbing 1-seeds.

The Big Ten also landed the Purdue Boilermakers (22-5, 12-4 in Big Ten), Illinois Fighting Illini (13-3, 22-5 in Big Ten), Nebraska Cornhuskers (22-4, 11-4 in Big Ten) and Michigan State Spartans (21-5, 11-4 in Big Ten) in the top 16. The Big 12, meanwhile, was also represented by Kansas Jayhawks (20-6, 10-3 in Big 12), Texas Tech Red Raiders (19-7, 9-4 in Big 12) and the Houston Cougars (23-3, 11-2 in Big 12).

The current #MarchMadness Top 16 seeds

1. Michigan
2. Duke
3. Arizona
4. Iowa State
5. UConn
6. Houston
7. Illinois
8. Purdue
9. Florida
10. Kansas
11. Nebraska
12. Gonzaga
13. Texas Tech
14. Michigan State
15. Vanderbilt
16. Virginia pic.twitter.com/DwOQ6EXqE0
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 21, 2026

NCAA Tournament selection committee reveals 2025-26 balance of power with top 16 reveal

The results didn't feature many surprises, although Texas Tech's inclusion as the top 4-seed after losing power forward JT Toppin (ACL) for the season raises our eyebrows a tad. But with wins over two projected No. 1s (Duke Blue Devils, Arizona), that's hardly a cause for protest.

The Big Ten and Big 12 have largely dominated men's college basketball this season, and they were rightfully rewarded with a tie for the most teams in the top 16.

Of the two, the Big Ten has been deeper, with ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi projecting 11 teams from the conference to make the 68-team field. The Big 12 features seven teams, although the West Virginia Mountaineers (16-10, 7-6 in Big 12) and TCU Horned Frogs (16-10, 6-7 in Big 12) loom on the bubble.

With so many projected teams in the field — including five top seeds — the Big Ten has an excellent chance of ending a prolonged championship drought. The conference hasn't had a team win the NCAA Tournament since Michigan State in 2000. The Maryland Terrapins, which joined the Big Ten in 2014, won the tournament in 2002.

The Big 12 is looking to add a fourth NCAA title and first since going back-to-back with the Baylor Bears and Kansas in 2021 and 2022.

The official bracket for the 2026 tournament will be revealed on Selection Sunday, set for March 15.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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