2026 NCAA Tournament South Region Picks

Rolling into the tournament on an 11-game winning streak, No. 1 Florida is the favorite to get out of the South Region in the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket. Will the reigning national champions survive tough competition from No. 2 Houston and No. 3 Illinois to book a spot in the Final Four?

Let's check the latest betting futures for the South Region. Odds are subject to change.

2026 South Region Winner
1 Florida	+160	+160	+160
2 Houston	+250	+250	+250
3 Illinois	+350	+350	+350
5 Vanderbilt	+1000	+1000	+1000
4 Nebraska	+1600	+1600	+1600
7 Saint Mary's	+4000	+4000	+4000
9 Iowa	+4000	+4000	+4000
6 North Carolina	+5000	+5000	+5000
8 Clemson	+6600	+6600	+6600
10 Texas A&M	+7500	+7500	+7500
11 VCU	+12500	+12500	+12500
12 McNeese	+500000	+500000	+500000
13 Troy	+500000	+500000	+500000
14 Penn	+1000000	+1000000	+1000000
15 Idaho	+1000000	+1000000	+1000000
16 Lehigh	+1000000	+1000000	+1000000
16 Prairie View A&M	+1000000	+1000000	+1000000

Boost Your NCAAB Picks

Before wagering on your favorite college basketball futures, don't forget to check out these resources for 2026 March Madness betting to ensure you are getting the best bets available. You can also use sportsbooks reviews 2026 to find a betting site for your college basketball betting picks. And if you're new to the world of online sports betting, don't fret about being in over your head. There are plenty of how-to tips in our handy sports betting guide.

Gators favored to make Final Four

Florida is a +160 favorite to emerge out of the South Region. Led by projected lottery pick Thomas Haugh and national defensive player of the year contender Rueben Chinyelu, the Gators have one of the best frontcourts in the country. However, the reigning champions could face a national title game rematch against the Cougars in the Elite Eight. A matchup that would take place in Houston.

FLORIDA SECURES THE NO. 1 SEED IN THE SOUTH REGION 👏🐊

Will the Gators win it it all? 🏆🤔 pic.twitter.com/26m7kr2357

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 15, 2026

Top contenders in the South

Houston (+250) isn't as good defensively as the team that made it all the way to the national championship game in 2025. But last year's finalists didn't have freshman point guard Kingston Flemings, who averaged 16.5 PPG and 5.4 APG with 38% shooting from beyond the arc this season. Along with Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan, the Cougars have one of the most dynamic backcourts in the nation.

Illinois (+350) also has a freshman phenom at guard in Keaton Wagler. Completely off the radar entering the season, the projected lottery pick is shooting over 40% from the perimeter and leading his squad with 4.4 assists per game. While the Fighting Illini have a better offense than Houston, the Cougars are superior defensively.

Cinderella picks

Vanderbilt (+1000) destroyed Florida 91-74 in the SEC tournament semifinals thanks to the defensive play of their guards Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles. Tanner led his club with 19.2 PPG, shooting 38% from three point range, and Miles is healthy again after missing six games with a knee injury. If the Commodores take care of business against No. 12 McNeese and No. 5 Nebraska, they'll get another shot at the Gators in the Sweet 16.

VCU (+12500) is on an absolute heater, winning 16 of its last 17 contests. Looking to make their first Final Four since a 2011 run with coach Shaka Smart, the Rams have a deep squad and are deadly from distance.

Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler's rise to college superstar is one of the best stories in college basketball ‼️

The freshman just went off against No.5 Nebraska 🔥

28 PTS | 7-15 FG | 4-9 3PT | 5 REB | 5 AST pic.twitter.com/PZ7hHJGglW

— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) February 1, 2026