Welcome to a new season of bracketology!

With under two months remaining until the commencement of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, only two teams are still undefeated.

The defending champions, UConn, maintain a streak of 35 games without a loss, setting them as strong contenders for an undefeated run into the Big East Tournament. They have two critical Quad-1 games left, including a challenging match against Tennessee on February 1, the last team to defeat coach Geno Auriemma’s squad.

Undefeated Vanderbilt (19-0) has begun its season in record fashion, powered by Mikayla Blakes, who leads the nation with an average of 25.0 points per game. The Commodores face a tough stretch ahead with eight out of their last eleven games against ranked opponents, including South Carolina and Texas.

Currently, Vanderbilt ranks as the top No. 2 seed, following their close victory over Michigan in the Coretta Scott King Classic, and is eyeing their first top seed since the 2001-02 season.

In terms of quality wins, each of last season’s Final Four teams—UConn, UCLA, South Carolina, and Texas—secure spots at the top, setting the stage for potential rematches in Phoenix this April.

The Big Ten and SEC dominate the projections with 12 and 11 teams, respectively, while the ACC and Big 12 contribute eight teams each. Mid-major teams are still in the mix, with more updates outlined below.

Bracketology as of January 20

Seed	1
1	Huskies	Bruins	Gamecocks	Longhorns
2	Commodores	Lady Tigers	Hawkeyes	Cardinals
3	Wolverines	Spartans	Wildcats	Buckeyes
4	Lady Raiders	Bears	Terrapins	Horned Frogs

On the Bubble

Last four in: Utah, Iowa St., South Dakota St., Clemson
First four out: Richmond, BYU, Auburn, Virginia
Next four out: Miami, Virginia Tech, Seton Hall, South Florida

What to Watch For

Can Iowa State reclaim their momentum?
The Cyclones started January as the No. 10 team but suffered five straight losses. They are now included in the last four teams projected to make the tournament. This is a rare situation, as only TCU in 2023-24 previously experienced a similar streak after a long winning run.

Before the New Year, Iowa State’s key players Addy Brown and Arianna Jackson were sidelined, greatly affecting the team’s dynamics. Brown, in particular, was crucial, ranking second in scoring and leading in rebounds.

Audi Crooks’ scoring prowess has drawn attention, yet Iowa State faces challenges due to a weak schedule ranked 233rd in terms of strength and a singular NET top-50 win against Iowa.

Upcoming games against Cincinnati and Arizona are pivotal; losing either could end their NCAA hopes completely—especially after a previous loss to Cincinnati. Crooks has seen decreasing scoring output in recent games.

Princeton Makes Waves in Mid-Major Circles
The Ivy League had three teams reaching the NCAA Tournament last year for the first time. Currently, Princeton is on a trajectory to achieve the highest seed in their league’s history, sitting at the No. 5 line in the bracket.

With a solid record against Quad-1 and Quad-2 teams, Princeton is well-positioned, despite potential losses in upcoming games. Additionally, other mid-major teams like South Dakota State aim to maintain momentum towards March Madness.