Roll Tide Wire staff predictions for March Madness, Alabama's run
The Roll Tide Wire staff make their predictions for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, which includes the Final Four, national champion, and more.
On Thursday afternoon, the NCAA Tournament will begin, officially marking the start of March Madness. One of the greatest times of year for a college basketball fan, March Madness is a multi-week span of games which will eventually crown a national champion, starting this weekend with the first-and-second rounds. Next weekend is home to the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, and then followed the next week with the Final Four and national title game.
This season's edition of March Madness is also shaping up to be loaded as well, with a big reason as to why being the level of elite talent. An example of this are some of college basketball's top freshmen set to take the court this March, a lengthy list of big names such as BYU's AJ Dybantsa, Duke's Cameron Boozer, and Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr. , among others.
Following are Roll Tide Wire's predictions for the NCAA Tournament, which feature the picks to reach the Final Four, how far Alabama makes a run, and much more. Which teams will make the Final Four? Matt Melton's prediction: Duke Blue Devils, Florida Gators, Arizona Wildcats, Iowa State Cyclones Steve Holley's prediction : Duke Blue Devils, Michigan Wolverines, Florida Gators, Gonzaga Bulldogs Jake Boico's prediction: Duke Blue Devils, Houston Cougars, Arizona Wildcats, Alabama Crimson Tide The Duke Blue Devils are the lone unanimous choice to reach the Final Four by Roll Tide Wire, while both Florida and Arizona are the lone teams picked twice.
Alabama also receives a prediction to make a memorable run during March Madness, which would be the Crimson Tide's second-ever Final Four appearance, should it happen. Who will win the national championship? Matt Melton's prediction: Arizona Wildcats Steve Holley's prediction : Duke Blue Devils Jake Boico's prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide Roll Tide Wire differs on who will eventually win the national championship, with Alabama joined by both Arizona and Duke, each of which are No.