Elite Sweet Sixteen Picks: Top Seeds Face Off Against Champions!
We’re going to be going region-by-region for our Power Rankings for this year’s NCAA March Madness Tournament, and along the way, we’re going to give each region a nickname. The South is the “Region of Contrast. ” We have fast teams, slow teams, big teams, small teams, red teams, and blue teams, all under the 16-team umbrella that is the South region!
MORE: Predicting the winner of March Madness 2026 1. Florida The road to back-to-back begins now. After a shocking loss in the SEC Tournament to Vanderbilt, the Gators have now been given a daunting road that may include that same Vanderbilt team and Houston (in Houston) if they wish to repeat.
I still trust Todd Golden and co. They are my pick to win it all! 2.
Houston Mar 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) shakes hands with guard Milos Uzan (7) against the Baylor Bears in the second half at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images I still have my fundamental concerns about the Cougars and their style of play – they don’t generate easy looks and view a missed shot as good offense because it allows them to grab an offensive rebound – but I can’t deny that they’re still one of the best teams in college basketball, and playing a regional in their home city is an incredible opportunity. Kingston Flemings is going to have to be “that dude” if they want to cut down the nets.
3. Illinois Ironically, a 91-88 loss to Wisconsin caused Illinois to fall from their perch as the nation’s leader in offensive efficiency. But they still bring with them an incredible 5-out offense that exploits mismatches in all different kinds of ways, and Keaton Wagler is the type of playmaker who could make one of those special March moments.
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