Avoid These Five Teams in Your Men’s NCAA Tournament Bracket

Bassyonni

Published: March 17, 2026 1:47 PM ET

The NCAA tournament is renowned for its surprises. While many aim to identify Cinderella teams, it’s equally crucial to recognize which highly seeded teams may face early exits. Here are five squads to avoid in your Men’s NCAA tournament bracket. These teams have shown vulnerabilities that could lead to unexpected outcomes.

Avoid These Five Teams in Your Men’s NCAA Tournament Bracket

Nebraska (No. 4 Seed, South Region)

Nebraska hasn’t secured an NCAA tournament victory to date. This season hinted at a change, with the team winning its first 20 games. However, they faltered recently, finishing with a 6-6 record in their last 12 games, including only one victory over a tournament team. Data shows they rank as the 35th best nationally since February 1, struggling offensively and landing at 132nd for scoring efficiency among at-large teams.

Nebraska’s potential first-round opponent, Troy, poses challenges with their size and experience. A second-round matchup against either Vanderbilt or McNeese also looms large. Vanderbilt, despite being a No. 5 seed, brings solid performance and McNeese is noted for being a top mid-major.

Alabama (No. 4 Seed, Midwest Region)

Alabama finds itself in a precarious position. Their defensive ranking is the lowest among top-four seeds at No. 67 nationally. Historically, teams like Alabama with similar statistics have faced early tournament exits.

Though Alabama advanced to the second weekend in four of the last five tournaments, this season feels different. Star player Labaron Philon Jr. leads the team, but his backcourt partner, Aden Holloway, faces legal issues that may keep him off the court. The Crimson Tide must navigate tough matchups, starting with Hofstra’s formidable guards Cruz Davis and Preston Edmead.

Virginia (No. 3 Seed, Midwest Region)

This season marks a remarkable rise for Virginia, going from unranked to a No. 3 seed with 29 wins. However, the team’s luck might run out given their potentially challenging matchups. Wright State, a No. 14 seed, features dynamic guards T.J. Burch and Michael Cooper who could give Virginia problems.

Should Virginia advance, they may face Tennessee in the next round, a matchup that poses physical challenges against a more robust frontcourt. Historical data suggests that overachieving teams like Virginia often struggle in the tournament, making them a team to avoid in brackets.

UConn (No. 2 Seed, East Region)

Entering the tournament, UConn has experienced turbulence. They were recently blown out in the Big East title game and finished the regular season poorly against Marquette. Concerns also linger over star guard Silas Demary Jr.’s recent ankle injury, compounding their issues with ball security and offensive efficiency.

While UConn has the potential to thrive against nonconference opponents, their first matches aren’t straightforward. A looming game against UCLA in the second round could prove challenging, given UCLA’s current form and strong players.

Michigan (No. 1 Seed, Midwest Region)

Michigan, despite being a top seed, could face a tough path. After an impressive previous season, they must maintain focus against potential opponents that can shoot effectively from deep. In the second round, St. Louis or Georgia could be formidable adversaries, especially St. Louis with shooters and big men who can disrupt Michigan’s game plan.

Thus, while they possess the talent to contend for a championship, caution is warranted before investing extensively in Michigan during the bracket-making process.

Nebraska: Vulnerable due to recent performance swings.
Alabama: Defensive weaknesses and legal issues could affect play.
Virginia: Overachievement may lead to early exit.
UConn: Struggling recent form raises questions on tournament readiness.
Michigan: Tough matchups could expose vulnerabilities.

In conclusion, when crafting your NCAA tournament bracket, consider avoiding these five teams. Their recent performances raise significant doubts about their chances for advancement.