March is quickly approaching with Selection Sunday on March 15, so it’s already time to start thinking about how to make your 2026 NCAA Tournament picks. Last year’s NCAA Tournament went relatively well, but we’re still a few years removed from overwhelming upsets, so anything could happen as the 2026 NCAA Tournament unfolds.
Michigan, Duke, Arizona and Iowa State are currently leaning toward the No. 1 overall spot on the men’s side. However, programs like UConn, Houston and Florida are all looming after recent runs deep in the NCAA brackets. March Madness pool picks aren’t complete without considering the women’s side, where UConn, Texas, UCLA and USC look strong. With the action so close, now is the time to do so set your 2026 Men’s March Madness pools And 2026 Women’s March Madness Pools.
If you’re looking for an NCAA Tournament bracket game, CBS Sports is the perfect place. That’s possible play Bracket Games for free on the CBS Sports app in pools with your friends and compete in free Men’s and Women’s Bracket Challenges to potentially win big prizes.* Get started right away here.
How to Create a 2026 NCAA Tournament Pool with Friends and Family
Manage your own free 2026 March Madness pool on CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports app and invite all your friends, family and colleagues to play against you in this year’s tournament.
To start a bracket pool for Men’s March Madness, visit the Create a Men’s Bracket Pool PageGive your group a name and choose whether you want a closed pool where you manage the invitations, or an open pool that everyone can share. Then just confirm your rules and then you can copy and share your personal pool link with friends or have CBS Sports send them emails.
For a Women’s March Madness pool, you can follow the exact same process, but start with the Create a Women’s Bracket Pool page to start your pool for the Women’s NCAA Tournament.
How to Play 2026 March Madness Brackets for Prizes
There will be CBS Sports NCAA Bracket Challenges for the men’s and women’s tournaments and a trip to each 2027 Final Four in both challenges. It’s easy to struggle for those epic journeys.
For the Men’s Challenge, simply click on this linkclick the ‘Join Now’ button and enter.* Enter your men’s tournament after it is announced on Sunday, March 15, and the winner of the 2027 trip to the Final Four will be chosen from the entrants. If you’ve already created brackets in pools with friends, you can quickly join the challenge by importing an already created bracket.
You can also use the CBS Sports Women’s Bracket Challenge later that evening after the selection show at 8pm ET. Importing your brackets from your women’s pools is a convenient option to fill your Women’s Challenge brackets as well.
The deadline for the men’s round is March 19, when first-round action kicks off, while the deadline for the women’s round is March 20. To qualify, follow the steps above to take part in the Men’s Challenge and then take part in the Women’s Challenge here before each tournament starts.
2026 NCAA Tournament Men’s Teams to Watch
Now that you know where to play 2026 Men’s NCAA Bracket GamesHere are some teams to watch as the tournament approaches:
Kansas Jayhawks: The Jayhawks may be one of the most inconsistent teams in the NCAA Tournament. Freshman Darryn Peterson can take over any game, but staying in those games has been a challenge as he dealt with a series of minor injuries and cramps. The Jayhawks entered the weekend having won nine of their last 10, but were surprised at home on Saturday by double-digit underdog Cincinnati. That showed their downside, but recent wins against Iowa State, BYU, Arizona and Texas Tech also prove they will be a dangerous team in March.
Duke Blue Devils: Jon Scheyer’s team made it to the Final Four last season, but he had to replace his entire starting five after they all left for the NBA. Then there’s superstar freshman Cameron Boozer, who is averaging 22.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Duke is off to a 24-2 start and is in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in March Madness with one of the most talented rosters in college basketball. Join the CBS Sports 2026 Men’s NCAA Bracket Game here.
2026 NCAA Tournament Women’s Teams to Watch
Now that you know where to play 2026 Women’s NCAA Bracket Gameshere are some teams to watch as the 2026 NCAA tournament approaches:
UCLA Bruins: Cori Chase’s squad reached the Final Four for the first time in program history last season and solidifies their status as a contender in 2026. The Bruins are off to a 26-1 start with a perfect 16-0 mark in the Big Ten and Lauren Betts continues to dominate after an All-American season in 2024-2025. The center is averaging 16.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 blocks per game and leads an experienced UCLA roster whose top six scorers are all seniors.
Vanderbilt Commodores: Vanderbilt has used NIL to reshape its athletic department, as it has found success in football and men’s basketball. However, the women’s team could be the university’s best chance at a national championship this season, as the Commodores are 24-3 overall and 10-3 in the SEC. Sophomore guard Mikayla Blakes is averaging 25.9 points per game this season and Vanderbilt is ranked No. 5 in the latest AP poll. Enter the 2026 Women’s Bracket Game here.
How to Play in the 2026 Men’s and Women’s NCAA Bracket Games
Ready to set up your 2026 NCAA tournament pools? Get started from the bracket lobby to play the 2026 Men’s and Women’s NCAA Bracket Games with friends for a chance to win trips to the 2027 Final Four.
*No purchase necessary. See rules for details.
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