College basketball expert Andy Katz reveals his dark horse final four

The 2026 NCAA Tournament is finally here. The full bracket dropped on Sunday, and the madness is about to begin. Games start with the First Four on Tuesday and Wednesday. Then the real action begins on Thursday. Fans across the country are already filling out brackets. Everyone is searching for that one bold pick that can win it all.

Every year, a few teams surprise everyone. These are not the top seeds. They are the teams people overlook at first. Still, they find a way to make deep runs. That is what makes March special. Upsets happen. Underdogs rise. Big names fall early.

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College basketball analyst Andy Katz has shared four teams he believes can shake things up. These are not random picks. Each team has shown strong form this season. They have faced tough opponents. They have also proven they can compete at a high level.

Katz believes these four programs have the tools to reach the Final Four. Strong defense. Solid coaching. Big-game experience. All of that matters in March. Let’s break down his dark horse picks.

4. Vanderbilt Commodores

4. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt enters the tournament with strong confidence. The team made an impressive run in the SEC Tournament and reached the final. However, they lost 86-75 to Arkansas.

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Despite that loss, Vanderbilt proved it can compete with top teams. Their offense looked sharp, and they moved the ball well. The players also stayed calm under pressure.

They are the fifth seed in the South region and will face McNeese State in the first round. On paper, this looks like a good matchup. A win could give them early momentum.

Vanderbilt has already shown it can go deep. That SEC run proves they are ready for big games.

MORE: College basketball championship odds

3. UCLA Bruins

3. UCLA Bruins

UCLA had a solid season with a 23-11 record. The team also made a good run in the Big Ten Tournament before losing to Purdue in the semifinals.

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That loss does not take away from their overall performance. UCLA has…

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Publish date : 2026-03-18 00:04:00

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