Ravich’s ‘Chaos Bracket’ Upsets Duke, Predicts UConn Title

Duke, Arizona Fall in Sam Ravich’s Wild NCAA Predictions

Forget the chalk. Sam Ravich is embracing the madness, and his 2026 NCAA tournament bracket is a testament to pure, unadulterated chaos. In a bold departure from conventional picks, Ravich has unleashed a bracket filled with upsets, challenging conventional wisdom and daring fans to follow him into the unpredictable landscape of March Madness.

East Region: Duke’s Reign Challenged, UConn Emerges

The East region, typically a stronghold for top seeds, is where Ravich’s chaos truly begins. While acknowledging Duke as the number one overall seed, he immediately questions their path, pointing out the ironic matchup against Sienna, coached by Jerry McNamara, a former Syracuse sharpshooter whose team struggles from beyond the arc (ranking 333rd nationally). Ravich confidently sends Duke to the second round, but the upsets quickly follow.

TCU, with its “craziest resumes” in college basketball, gets the nod over Ohio State. Northern Iowa is tabbed to upset St. John’s, a matchup Ravich describes as a “nightmare” for the Red Storm, citing Northern Iowa’s fast pace against St. John’s preference for slower games. Kansas and Louisville, even with injury concerns, are projected to advance, while Johnny Dawkins and UCF are predicted to surprise Mick Cronin’s UCLA.

The East region’s chaos culminates with Yukon advancing, setting the stage for a second-round clash with Duke. Ravich ultimately picks UConn to navigate the region, foreshadowing a deep run for Dan Hurley’s squad.

South Region: Vandy Shocks Florida, VCU Makes a Run

The South region sees the reigning national champions, Florida, facing early tests. Clemson’s injury woes lead to Iowa advancing, while Vanderbilt, playing well and boasting strong guard play, is predicted to upset Florida, recalling their dominant performance in the SEC tournament. Nebraska, notoriously winless in the NCAA tournament, is surprisingly picked to win its first game and play with “house money.”

A significant upset sees VCU, reminiscent of their 2011 Final Four run, predicted to defeat North Carolina, with the Caleb Wilson injury cited as a potential downfall for the Tar Heels. Illinois’ potent offense is acknowledged, but St. Mary’s and Houston are projected to move on.

Ravich’s South region picks are audacious: Florida advances, but VCU is slated for a shocking upset over Houston in Houston, a testament to the unpredictable nature of March. The bracket envisions a rematch between Florida and Vanderbilt in the Elite Eight, with Ravich leaning towards Florida for revenge, but ultimately picking VCU to continue their improbable run.

West Region: Arizona Tested, High Point Surprises

Top seed Arizona is expected to handle LIU, but the West region is far from predictable. Ravich boldly picks every single nine seed to defeat their eight seed counterparts, including Utah State over Villanova. High Point is another trendy “12 over 5” pick, with Ravich believing their offense and athleticism can match up with Wisconsin.

Arkansas, BYU, and Gonzaga are projected to advance, setting up a potential West Coast Conference showdown. Purdue, fresh off a Big Ten tournament win, is surprisingly picked to be upset by Missouri, a pick Ravich admits might draw criticism. Michigan, St. Louis, and Akron are also given first-round victories.

The West region’s chaos continues with Ravich backing High Point’s high-octane offense and steal-forcing defense to upset Arkansas. BYU is favored over Gonzaga, and Missouri is tipped to upset Purdue. Michigan and Alabama advance, while Tennessee and UVA face off, with Ravich predicting a Sweet Sixteen appearance for UVA under Ryan Odom.

Elite Eight and Final Four: UConn vs. Arizona for the Crown

Ravich’s Elite Eight features Duke facing Kansas, UConn battling Michigan State, Florida taking on VCU, and Arizona facing BYU. His Final Four consists of UConn, Florida, Arizona, and Virginia.

The championship game is set between the UConn Huskies and the Arizona Wildcats. Despite acknowledging Arizona’s strength, Ravich leans on history and momentum, ultimately crowning Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies as national champions, marking their third title in a four-year span. “I will take Dan Hurley and the Huskies to win their third national championship in a four-year span,” Ravich declared, solidifying his “Chaos Bracket” with a definitive, yet surprising, champion.

Source: Sam Ravech is manifesting CHAOS with his 2026 NCAA tournament picks | My Bracket (YouTube)