March 16, 2026, 1:41 p.m. ET
The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket has been set, and March Madness officially begins with the Florida Gators earning a No. 1 seed in the South Region. This marks the start of head coach Todd Golden’s attempt to secure a national championship trophy for Gainesville for the second consecutive year.
The tournament is known for its unpredictability, with every team vying for advancement and the potential for unexpected upsets. While top seeds generally have an easier path to the Final Four, numerous challenges remain.
USA TODAY Sports writer Craig Meyer ranked the paths of the No. 1 seeds, finding Florida’s to be the third-hardest route to the Final Four.
According to Meyer, “The Gators enter the tournament as one of the country’s hottest teams…They’ve got all the potential to make a second consecutive Final Four.” Potential second-round opponents include the No. 8 seed Clemson or the No. 9 seed Iowa.
Despite a 17-point loss to Vanderbilt in the SEC tournament, Florida previously defeated Vanderbilt 98-94 in Nashville in January. Further down the line, the Gators could face No. 4 seed Nebraska, which has a 6-6 record after a 20-0 start. A potential Elite Eight matchup could be against No. 2 seed Houston, a rematch of last year’s national title game, or No. 3 seed Illinois.
Meyer notes that Florida’s path to the Elite Eight isn’t as challenging as those facing other No. 1 seeds, such as Duke, who could encounter Kansas, St. John’s, UConn, or Michigan State, or Arizona, who could face Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Purdue.
Ranking the hardest path to the Final Four for 1-seeds
- Duke
- Arizona
- Florida
- Michigan
Frequently Asked Questions
What seed did the Florida Gators receive in the NCAA Tournament?
The Florida Gators received a No. 1 seed in the South Region.
Who could the Florida Gators play in the second round of the tournament?
The Florida Gators could play either the No. 8 seed Clemson or the No. 9 seed Iowa in the second round.
What is Craig Meyer’s assessment of Florida’s path to the Final Four?
Craig Meyer ranked Florida’s path to the Final Four as the third-hardest among the No. 1 seeds.
As the Gators begin their tournament journey, what factors will prove most critical to their success in repeating as national champions?
