Trends by Conference

ACC

Teams in the First Round matchup
CLEMSON (South #8) vs. IOWA-Big Ten
DUKE (East #1) vs. SIENA-Metro Atlantic
LOUISVILLE (East #6) vs. S FLORIDA-American Athletic
MIAMI (FL) (West #7) vs. MISSOURI-SEC
NORTH CAROLINA (South #6) vs. VA COMMONWEALTH-Atlantic 10
SMU (Midwest #11) vs. TENNESSEE-SEC???
VIRGINIA (Midwest #3) vs. WRIGHT STATE-Horizon

Trends

– Over the last four NCAA tournaments, the ACC boasts a record of 37-20 SU & ATS (64.9%).
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Clemson, Duke, Louisville, Miami (FL), North Carolina, SMU???, Virginia

– In the role of pick em’ or small underdog (up to 4.5-points), ACC teams are currently on a 19-5 ATS (79.2%) surge.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Clemson, SMU???

– ACC teams are just 33-52-1 ATS (38.8%) as favorites of 5 points or less in the NCAA’s since 1998.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Louisville, Miami, North Carolina

– ACC teams are 36-3 SU but 14-25 ATS (35.9%) in their last 39 as double-digit tourney favorites.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Duke, Virginia

– ACC teams playing as double-digit seeds are 20-12-1 ATS (62.5%) since 2012.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: SMU???

– Nineteen of the last 26 NCAA tourney matchups between the ACC and SEC have gone Under the total (73.1%). Both went Under last year by over 20 points.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in Miami (FL)-Missouri, SMU-Tennessee???

– In that same ACC-SEC conference NCAA matchup, underdogs are on a 14-4-1 ATS (77.8%) surge since 2017.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Miami (FL), ON SMU???

American Athletic

Teams in the First Round matchup
SOUTH FLORIDA (East #11) vs. LOUISVILLE-ACC

Trends

– American Athletic teams are 13-5 Under the total (72.2%) in their last 18 tourney games as underdogs.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in South Florida-Louisville

– In their last 25 tourney games versus power conference foes, American Athletic teams are 18-10 Under the total (64.3%).
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in South Florida-Louisville

Atlantic 10

Teams in the First Round matchup
SAINT LOUIS (Midwest #9) vs. GEORGIA-SEC
VA COMMONWEALTH (South #11) vs. NORTH CAROLINA-ACC

Trends

– Atlantic 10 teams have won just four of their last 16 NCAA tourney games, both SU and ATS (25%).
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Saint Louis, Va Commonwealth

– Favorites are on a 21-6 SU and 18-9 ATS (66.7%) surge in Atlantic 10 NCAA tourney games since 2015.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Saint Louis, Va Commonwealth

Atlantic Sun

Teams in the First Round matchup
QUEENS COLL (West #15) vs. PURDUE-Big Ten

Trends

– Atlantic Sun teams are on an 11-6 ATS (64.7%) run in NCAA tourney games since 2013, including 9-5 ATS (64.3%) vs. Power 5 conferences.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Queens Coll

– Atlantic Sun teams are on 5-1 Under (83.3%) the total run in NCAA’s overall and 6-2 Under the total (75%) in their last eight vs. power conference teams.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in Queens Coll-Purdue

Big 12

Teams in the First Round matchup
ARIZONA (West #1) vs. LONG ISLAND-Northeast
BYU (West #6) vs. TEXAS-SEC
HOUSTON (South #2) vs. IDAHO-Big Sky
IOWA STATE (Midwest #2) vs. TENNESSEE STATE-Ohio Valley
KANSAS (East #4) vs. CAL BAPTIST-WAC
TCU (East #9) vs. OHIO STATE-Big Ten
TEXAS TECH (Midwest #5) vs. AKRON-Mid-American
UCF (East #10) vs. UCLA-Big Ten

Trends

– Big 12 teams have been dominant in the First Four/first round games of the tournament since 2017, going 41-14 SU and 35-20 ATS (63.6%).
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Arizona, BYU, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, TCU, Texas Tech, UCF

– Big 12 teams in the #4-#8 seed ranges are on a slide of 29-38 SU and 26-40 ATS (39.4%) since 2010, popular upset victims.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Kansas, Texas Tech

– Against mid-major teams in the NCAA’s, Big 12 teams are on a 27-12 ATS (69.2%) surge.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Arizona, BYU, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Texas Tech

– Underdogs are on a 10-3-1 ATS (76.9%) run in NCAAT games between the Big 12 and Big Ten conferences.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: TCU, UCF

– Big 12 teams have lost 63 of their 79 NCAA tourney games since 2000 as underdogs of 2.5 points or more and are 33-45-1 ATS (42.3%) in those games.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST TCU, UCF

– As favorites of 7 points or more in the NCAA’s, Big 12 teams are on a current run of 37-2 SU and 26-13 ATS (66.7%).
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Arizona, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Texas Tech

– In expectedly high-scoring NCAA tournament games, or those with totals >155, Big 12 teams are on a 19-8 ATS (70.3%) run.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Arizona, BYU, Texas Tech

Big East

Teams in the First Round matchup
CONNECTICUT (East #2) vs. FURMAN-Southern
ST JOHN’S (East #5) vs. N IOWA-Missouri Valley
VILLANOVA (West #8) vs. UTAH STATE-Mountain West

Trends

– Top two seeded (#1s & #2s) from the Big East have validated their positions by going 29-7 SU and 26-10 ATS (72.2%) in the NCAA’s since 2016.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Connecticut

– The last 46 Big East teams to play as seeds of #7 or worse in the NCAA tourney are just 15-38 SU and 20-33 ATS (37.7%).
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Villanova

– Teams from the Big East Conference have been highly reliable double-digit favorites in the NCAA’s since 2007, going 45-3 SU and 33-15 ATS (68.8%).
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Connecticut

– Teams from the Big East in the #8-#9 First Round matchup are just 6-13 SU and 5-14 ATS (26.3%) in the NCAA’s since 2005. However, both UConn and Creighton won in this scenario last year.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Villanova

– Big East teams are on a 10-3 SU and ATS (76.9%) run against Mountain West teams in the tournament.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Villanova

– Favorites are 56-23 ATS (70.9%) in the last 79 Big East NCAA tourney games, including 28-9 ATS (75.7%) the last three years.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: ON Connecticut, St Johns, AGAINST Villanova

– In NCAA tourney games between Big East programs and mid-major conferences since ’15, favorites are on a 34-12 SU and 33-11 ATS (75%) run.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: St Johns, Villanova

– Big East teams have struggled in the NCAAT in the +3 to -3 line range, going 39-56 ATS (41.1%) since 2004.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Villanova

Big Sky

Teams in the First Round matchup
IDAHO (South #15) vs. HOUSTON-Big 12

Trends

– Big Sky teams are just 1-24 SU and 6-19 ATS (24%) in the tournament since 2001, including 3-17 ATS (15%) as an underdog of less than 20 points.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Idaho

– Big Sky teams have lost 22 straight NCAA tournament games against major conference teams, going 5-17 ATS (22.7%).
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Idaho

– Big Sky teams are on a 5-1 Over the total (83.3%) surge in the NCAA’s, but Montana did go Under in 2025.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: OVER the total in Idaho-Houston

Big South

Teams in the First Round matchup
HIGH POINT (West #12) vs. WISCONSIN-Big Ten

Trends

– Big South teams are 8-4-1 ATS (66.7%) as #16 seeds in the tournament since 2003, 3-9 ATS (25%) in all other seeds.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST #12 High Point

– Big South teams are on a 16-6 Under the total (72.7%) tourney surge vs. major conference teams, scoring just 56.9 PPG.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in High Point-Wisconsin

– Big South teams have gone Under the total in ALL 11 (100%) previous NCAAT games with totals of 140 or higher.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in High Point-Wisconsin

Big Ten

Teams in the First Round matchup
ILLINOIS (South #3) vs. PENNSYLVANIA-Ivy League
IOWA (South #9) vs. CLEMSON-ACC
MICHIGAN (Midwest #1) vs. HOWARD-MEAC
MICHIGAN STATE (East #3) vs. NORTH DAKOTA STATE-Summit
NEBRASKA (South #4) vs. TROY-Sun Belt
OHIO STATE (East #8) vs. TCU-Big 12
PURDUE (West #2) vs. QUEENS NC-Atlantic Sun
UCLA (East #7) vs. UCF-Big 12
WISCONSIN (West #5) vs. HIGH POINT-Big South

Trends

– Big Ten teams are on an insane 48-21 Under the total (69.6%) run in the last four NCAA tournaments.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in Illinois-Pennsylvania, Iowa-Clemson, Michigan-Howard, Michigan State-North Dakota State, Nebraska-Troy, Ohio State-TCU, Purdue-Queens Coll, UCLA-UCF, High Point-Wisconsin

– Big Ten teams have been vulnerable in the #4 seed of late, 8-15-1 ATS (34.8%) in their last 24 tourney tries.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Nebraska

– Big Ten teams have been relatively strong in the double-digit chalk role in the tournament, 56-5 SU and 36-21-4 ATS (63.2%) since 1998, including 7-0 SU and ATS the last two years.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Purdue

– Big Ten teams have gone just 16-23 SU and 17-21-1 ATS (44.7%) since 2015 in the NCAA tournament vs. Big 12 foes.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Ohio State, UCLA

– In tourney games versus mid-major conference foes over the last three seasons in the NCAA’s, Big Ten teams are on an 18-2 SU and 17-3 ATS (85%) run. They are also 26-7 Under the total (78.8%) in their last 33 such games.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Purdue, Wisconsin and UNDER the total in Illinois-Pennsylvania, Michigan-Howard, Michigan State-North Dakota State, Nebraska-Troy, Purdue-Queens Coll, High Point-Wisconsin

– Going back to 2017, Big Ten teams boast a 45-12 SU and 36-20-1 ATS (64.3%) record in the NCAAT first round.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Purdue, UCLA, Wisconsin

Big West

Teams in the First Round matchup
HAWAII (West #13) vs. ARKANSAS-SEC

Trends

– Big West teams are just 4-21 SU and 9-15-1 ATS (37.5%) in their last 25 NCAA tournament games.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Hawaii

– Big West teams have trended Under on totals in five straight NCAA tourney games.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in Hawaii-Arkansas

– Big West teams have struggled in the role of large underdog, 1-20 SU and 8-14-1 ATS (36.4%) when catching 6.5 points or more in the tourney since 1998.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Hawaii

Coastal Athletic

Teams in the First Round matchup
HOFSTRA (Midwest #13) vs. ALABAMA-SEC

Trends

– Coastal Athletic teams used to be among the country’s best in terms of NCAA tournament spread performance, however, they have lost their last 12 games outright and are 1-5 ATS (16.7%) in their last six.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Hofstra

– Coastal Athletic teams are on a 24-9-2 ATS (72.7%) run as NCAA tourney dogs to major conference teams, including UNCW (+15.5) 82-72 loss to Texas Tech last year.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Hofstra

– Under the total is 8-2 (80%) in the last 10 Coastal Athletic NCAA tournament games versus other mid-major conference teams. Over is 7-4 (63.6%) in the last 11 vs. power conference foes.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against OVER the total in Hofstra-Alabama

Conference USA

Teams in the First Round matchup
KENNESAW STATE (West #14) vs. GONZAGA-West Coast

Trends

– Take away Florida Atlantic’s 4-1 SU and ATS run in 2023 and it’s a 6-18 SU and 7-17 ATS (29.2%) NCAA tourney slide for Conference USA teams since 2009.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Kennesaw State

– Double-digit seeded Conference USA teams are on a 6-18 SU and 7-17 ATS (29.2%) slide in the NCAA’s.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Kennesaw State

Horizon

Teams in the First Round matchup
WRIGHT STATE (Midwest #14) vs. VIRGINIA-ACC

Trends

– Horizon League teams have lost 14 of their last 16 NCAA tourney games while going 8-8 ATS (50%). However, they are currently on a 6-game ATS win streak.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Wright State

– Horizon League teams are on a 17-9 Under the total (65.4%) NCAA run.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in Wright State-Virginia

– Line placement has been key in Horizon League NCAA tourney games. As dogs of 8 points or more, they are 1-17 SU and 7-9 ATS (43.8%) since 2002. In all other games, they are 20-11 SU and 23-8 ATS (74.2%).
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Wright State

– In their last 15 NCAA tourney games versus power conference foes, Horizon League teams are 2-16 SU and 8-10 ATS (44.4%) since 2002. Versus other mid-majors, Horizon League teams are on an 8-2 SU and ATS tourney surge.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Wright State

Ivy

Teams in the First Round matchup
PENNSYLVANIA (South #14) vs. ILLINOIS-Big Ten

Trends

– Ivy League teams have gone 8-14 SU and 13-9 ATS (59.1%) in their last 22 NCAA tourney games.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Pennsylvania

– Ivy League teams are on a 20-13 Under the total (60.6%) NCAA run, but they have gone Over in each of their last four tries.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: OVER the total in Pennsylvania-Illinois

– As underdogs of 5 points or more in the NCAA’s, Ivy League teams are just 5-24 SU and 11-18 ATS (37.9%) since 2000. They are also 19-10 Under the total (65.5%) in those games, scoring just 62.4 PPG.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Pennsylvania & UNDER the total in Pennsylvania-Illinois

Metro Atlantic

Teams in the First Round matchup
SIENA (East #16) vs. DUKE-ACC

Trends

– Metro Atlantic Athletic are now 2-6 SU and ATS (25%) in their last eight NCAA tourney tries as a non-double-digit underdog. They are 4-2 ATS (66.7%) in their last six as a double-digit dog.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Siena

Mid-American

Teams in the First Round matchup
AKRON (Midwest #12) vs. TEXAS TECH-Big 12
MIAMI (OH) (Midwest #11) vs. TENNESSEE-SEC???

Trends

– Mid-American Conference teams are 14-8 ATS (63.6%) in their last 22 NCAA tourney games as a #13 seed or worse, but 9-11 ATS (45%) in other seeds during that stretch.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Akron, Miami (OH)???

– Mid-American Conference teams are on a run of 11-5 ATS (68.8%) in their last 16 tries as dogs of 6.5 points or more in the NCAA tourney.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Akron, Miami (OH)???

– MAC teams have gone Under the total in their last seven NCAA tourney games (100%).
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total Akron-Texas Tech, Miami (OH)-Tennessee???

Mid-Eastern

Teams in the First Round matchup
HOWARD (Midwest #16) vs. MICHIGAN-Big Ten

Trends

– MEAC teams are on a 4-17 SU and 6-15 ATS (28.6%) slide in the NCAA’s, including 1-11 SU & 3-9 ATS (25%) in first round games.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Howard

– NCAA Tourney games featuring MEAC teams have trended heavily Under on totals, 18-11 (62.1%) in the last 29. However, the last three have gone Over.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: OVER the total in Howard-Michigan

Missouri Valley

Teams in the First Round matchup
NORTHERN IOWA (East #12) vs. ST JOHN’S-Big East

Trends

– Missouri Valley Conference teams have gone 21-16 SU and 21-15-1 ATS (60.8%) in the NCAA tournament since 2013.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Northern Iowa

– MVC teams are on a 19-11-1 ATS (63.3%) NCAA tourney run against power conference schools.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Northern Iowa

– MVC teams are 16-7-1 ATS (69.6%) since 2006 as an NCAA tournament underdog of 3 points or more.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Northern Iowa

– Underdogs are 21-8-1 ATS (72.4%) since 2013 in MVC NCAA tourney games.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Northern Iowa

– Under the total is 16-7 (69.6%) in the last 23 Missouri Valley NCAA tourney games, including 11-3 Under in games with totals >=144.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in Northern Iowa-St John’s (131.5)

Mountain West

Teams in the First Round matchup
UTAH STATE (West #9) vs. VILLANOVA-Big East

Trends

– I have shared Mountain West teams’ struggles annually in the NCAA’s in recent years, as collectively they are just 32-67 SU and 32-64-3 ATS (33.3%) since 2001.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Utah State

– Mountain West Conference teams have been totally overmatched against major conference programs in the NCAA’s since 2000, 14-55 SU and 18-49-2 ATS (26.9%).
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Utah State

– As seeds of 8 or worse in the NCAA’s, MWC teams are on a brutal 7-41 SU and 10-36-2 ATS (21.7%) since 2003!
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Utah State

Northeast

Teams in the First Round matchup
LONG ISLAND (West #16) vs. ARIZONA-Big 12

Trends

– Northeast teams are 5-1 ATS over the last three NCAA tourneys, snapping a slide of 4-9-1 ATS in the prior 14 games.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Long Island

– Northeast Conference teams are on a 9-3 Over the total (75%) surge as a double-digit NCAA tourney underdog.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: OVER the total in Long Island-Arizona

Ohio Valley

Teams in the First Round matchup
TENNESSEE STATE (Midwest #15) vs. IOWA STATE-Big 12

Trends

– Ohio Valley Conference teams have gone 1-6 SU and ATS (14.3%) in their last seven NCAA tournament games after a 15-6 ATS run prior.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Tennessee State

– OVC teams are 8-4 ATS (66.7%) in their last 12 NCAA tourney games when playing as dogs of 9 points or more.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Tennessee State

– Ohio Valley teams are 6-12 ATS (33.3%) in their last 18 NCAAT games with totals >=141
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Tennessee State

– Over the total is 10-4 (71.4%) in the last 13 Ohio Valley NCAA tourney games.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: OVER the total in Tennessee State-Iowa State

Patriot

Teams in the First Round matchup
LEHIGH (South #16) vs. FLORIDA-SEC???

Trends

– Patriot League teams are 10-6 (62.5%) ATS as double-digit underdogs in the NCAA’s since 2000.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Lehigh???

– Patriot League teams are 12-8 (60%) ATS vs. power conference foes in the NCAA’s since 2000, but 1-8 SU and 2-7 ATS (22.2%) against fellow mid-major teams.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Lehigh???

SEC

Teams in the First Round matchup
ALABAMA (Midwest #4) vs. HOFSTRA-Coastal Athletic
ARKANSAS (West #4) vs. HAWAII-Big West
FLORIDA (South #1) vs. LEHIGH-Patriot/PRAIRIE VIEW A&M-SWAC-
GEORGIA (Midwest #8) vs. SAINT LOUIS-Atlantic 10
KENTUCKY (Midwest #7) vs. SANTA CLARA-West Coast
MISSOURI (West #10) vs. MIAMI (FL)-ACC
TENNESSEE (Midwest #6) vs. SMU-ACC/MIAMI (OH)-MAC???
TEXAS (West #11) vs. BYU-Big 12
TEXAS A&M (South #10) vs. ST MARY’S (CA)-West Coast
VANDERBILT (South #5) vs. MCNEESE STATE-Southland

Trends

– As NCAA favorites of more than 20 points, SEC teams are 13-1 Over the total (92.9%) since 2001, scoring 87.1 PPG.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: OVER the total in Florida-Lehigh/Prairie View

– SEC teams are on a 22-11 ATS (66.7%) run vs. ACC teams since 2003.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Missouri

– As pick ’ems or small favorites of 5-points or less, SEC teams are an ugly 48-53 SU and 40-57-4 ATS (41.2%) in the NCAA’s since 1999.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee???

– Seeded in the bottom half of the field (#9-#14), SEC teams have struggled to a 12-30 SU and 17-23-2 ATS (42.5%) record since 2007.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Missouri, Texas, Texas A&M

– The #4 seed and the SEC haven’t meshed well of late, as they are 19-26 ATS (42.2%) in that spot since 2000 and have gone Under the total at a 30-14-1 (68.2%) rate.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Alabama, Arkansas, and UNDER the total in Alabama-Hofstra and Hawaii-Arkansas

– SEC teams are on a 7-14 ATS (33.3%) skid versus mid-major teams in the NCAA’s and are 11-20 ATS (35.5%) in the last 31.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Tennessee???

Southern

Teams in the First Round matchup
FURMAN (East #15) vs. CONNECTICUT-Big East

Trends

– SoCon teams have trended Under the total in recent NCAA’s, 12-5 (70.6%) in the last 17.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in Furman-Connecticut

– Teams from the SoCon have covered seven straight NCAA first-round games (100% ATS)!
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Furman

Southland

Teams in the First Round matchup
MCNEESE STATE (South #12) vs. VANDERBILT-SEC

Trends

– As underdogs of 8.5 points or less (or favored), Southland Conference teams are 9-7-1 ATS (56.3%) in their last 17 NCAA tournament tries, but when a larger underdog than that, they are 0-15 SU and 5-9-1 ATS (35.7%) since 2000.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: McNeese State

– Southland Conference teams are 13-5 Under the total (72.2%) in their last 18 NCAA tournament first-round games.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in McNeese State-Vanderbilt

– Southland Conference teams are on an amazing 17-3 Under the total (85%) surge in their last 20 NCAA tournament games vs. power conference opponents.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in McNeese State-Vanderbilt

Summit

Teams in the First Round matchup
NORTH DAKOTA STATE (East #14) vs. MICHIGAN STATE-Big Ten

Trends

– Overall, Summit League teams are on an 0-4 SU and ATS (0%) skid in the NCAA tournament, after going 7-1-1 ATS in the prior nine tries.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST North Dakota State

– Recognized as a high-scoring, up-tempo league, six of the last eight NCAA tourney games featuring a Summit League team went Under the total (75%).
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in North Dakota State-Michigan State

Sun Belt

Teams in the First Round matchup
TROY (South #13) vs. NEBRASKA-Big Ten

Trends

– Sun Belt teams have gone Under the total in nine of their last 10 (90%) NCAA tourney games.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: UNDER the total in Troy-Nebraska

– As #14-#16 seeds in the NCAAs, SBC teams are on a 6-12-1 ATS (33.3%) slide since 1999, but as #13 or better, they’ve gone 11-5 ATS (68.8%) in that same span.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Troy

– As underdogs of 7.5 points or less, Sun Belt teams are on a 3-10 SU and 4-8-1 ATS (33%) slide in the NCAA’s, but when +8 or higher, they are 13-6 ATS (68.4%) since 2000.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Troy

– Sun Belt teams seem to take some motivation from playing major conference teams, as they are on an NCAA tourney run of 8-5 ATS (61.5%) versus those foes since 2008.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Troy

SWAC

Teams in the First Round matchup
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M (South #16) vs. FLORIDA-SEC???

Trends

– As NCAA tourney dogs of +26 or more, SWAC teams are 0-8 SU and 2-6 ATS (25%) since 2000.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Prairie View A&M???

WAC

Teams in the First Round matchup
CAL BAPTIST (East #13) vs. KANSAS-Big 12

Trends

– WAC teams have won just three of their last 26 games in the NCAA’s since 2006, going 11-15 ATS; however, they are 6-2 ATS (75%) in their last eight.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Cal Baptist

– Against power conference opponents in the NCAA’s, WAC teams are on a 1-18 SU and 7-12 ATS (36.8%) skid, while against fellow mid-majors, they are on a 12-6 ATS (66.7%) surge.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: Against Cal Baptist

– Six of the last nine WAC first-round NCAA tourney games have gone Over the total (66.7%).
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: OVER the total in Cal Baptist-Kansas

West Coast

Teams in the First Round matchup
GONZAGA (West #3) vs. KENNESAW STATE-Conference USA
SANTA CLARA (Midwest #10) vs. KENTUCKY-SEC
ST MARY’S(CA) (South #7) vs. TEXAS A&M-SEC

Trends

– Going into the 2026 NCAA’s, West Coast Conference teams are on a 7-15 ATS (31.8%) tourney skid.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Gonzaga, Santa Clara, St Mary’s (CA)

– West Coast Conference teams haven’t been as good as suspected as NCAA tournament underdogs, 7-25 SU and 9-23 ATS (28.1%) since 2007, including 13 straight outright losses.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Santa Clara

– WCC teams have struggled against other non-major conference teams in NCAA tourney play, 20-9 SU but 9-20 ATS (31%) since 2004.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Gonzaga

– WCC teams are just 5-14 ATS (26.3%) in their last 19 NCAA tourney games as favorites of 9.5 points or more.
Qualifying plays for 2026 NCAAT First Round: AGAINST Gonzaga