These will be the most popular Cinderella choices for the 2026 NCAA Tournament

Selection Sunday has come and gone, which means the annual hunt for Cinderella has officially begun.

Every year the NCAA Tournament promises the same thing: chaos. Brackets get shredded, powerhouse programs stumble and suddenly a team that most fans barely noticed a week earlier becomes the story of March.

That’s part of the magic of the NCAA Tournament. Programs like George Mason, Butler, Loyola Chicago, Florida Atlantic and Saint Peter’s all proved that a great three-week stretch can rewrite history.

And while every bracket looks predictable on paper, fans know the truth. Somewhere in this field, a Cinderella is getting ready to crash the party.

Here are the teams that are quickly emerging as the most popular Cinderella picks in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Santa Clara Broncos - (10 seed, Midwest Region)

Santa Clara could end up becoming one of the most popular upset picks in the entire bracket.

The Broncos draw Kentucky in the first round, and many fans immediately circled that matchup when the bracket was revealed.

Santa Clara has an offense capable of making anyone uncomfortable. The Broncos average roughly 78 points per game and shoot better than 46 percent from the field, numbers that can become dangerous in a tournament setting where one hot shooting night can change everything.

Head coach Herb Sendek has built a veteran roster that plays with confidence and offensive freedom. That experience could matter against a Kentucky team led by head coach Mark Pope that still leans heavily on young talent and has been inconsistent. A potential second round game would be against Iowa State.

If Santa Clara’s shooters get rolling early, the Broncos could quickly become one of the most talked-about teams of the first weekend.

South Florida Bulls - (11 seed, East Region)

South Florida might be one of the most intriguing Cinderella candidates in the entire bracket.

The Bulls enter the NCAA Tournament fresh off a statement performance in the American Athletic Conference championship game, defeating Wichita State 70-55 to claim the AAC title.

Head coach Bryan Hodgson has quickly become one of the hottest names on the coaching carousel after transforming South Florida into a disciplined, confident team capable of controlling games.

The Bulls now face No. 6 seed Louisville in the first round, and the matchup comes with an interesting storyline. Louisville suffered a shocking first-round exit in last year’s NCAA Tournament and will enter this game knowing how quickly March can unravel.

South Florida plays a physical, possession-focused style that emphasizes rebounding and defensive intensity. If the Bulls are able to dictate tempo and force Louisville into a slower game, this matchup could quickly become one of the most popular upset picks on the bracket.

The winner of this game will likely get Michigan State in round 2.

Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors - (13 seed, West Region)

Hawai’i arrives in the NCAA Tournament riding a wave of confidence after winning the Big West Tournament championship.

The Rainbow Warriors now face No. 4 seed Arkansas, a team that just captured the SEC Tournament and enters March with plenty of momentum.

Head coach Eran Ganot has built Hawai’i around discipline and defense. The Rainbow Warriors allow fewer than 70 points per game and often slow games down into half-court battles.

That style can frustrate higher seeds that prefer to run. If Hawai’i keeps the score low and forces Arkansas into a grind, the Rainbow Warriors could suddenly make things uncomfortable for the Razorbacks. Wisconsin or High Point is a potential second round matchip for the Rainbow Warriors.

And that’s often how March Madness upsets begin.

High Point Panthers - (12 seed, West Region)

Every NCAA Tournament seems to produce at least one famous No. 12 over No. 5 upset.

High Point might be the team drawing the most attention in that category this year.

The Panthers face Wisconsin in the opening round, and their aggressive style makes them a dangerous opponent. High Point ranks among the national leaders in forced turnovers and steals, creating extra possessions that can flip games quickly.

Head coach Alan Huss has embraced a defensive identity built around pressure and disruption.

Teams with similar styles have produced memorable tournament runs before. VCU’s pressure defense helped power the program to the Final Four in 2011. Loyola Chicago used disciplined defense to reach the Final Four in 2018.

If High Point turns the game chaotic, Wisconsin could suddenly find itself in serious trouble.

VCU Rams - (11 seed, South Region)

VCU feels like one of the most dangerous double-digit seeds in the entire bracket.

The Rams face No. 6 seed North Carolina in the first round, and the matchup already has the feel of a classic March Madness trap game.

VCU head coach Phil Martelli Jr. has built a team that thrives on defensive pressure. The Rams force turnovers at one of the highest rates in the country and are comfortable turning games into chaotic battles.

That style has historically caused problems in the NCAA Tournament. VCU’s pressure defense helped power the program to an unforgettable Final Four run in 2011.

North Carolina, led by head coach Hubert Davis, prefers a more controlled offensive rhythm and averages nearly 80 points per game when the Tar Heels dictate the pace. The Rams, with an upset win, would get Illinois or Penn in round 2.

But if VCU’s pressure defense disrupts that rhythm, the Rams could quickly turn this matchup into one of the most dangerous upset spots in the bracket.

Don’t ignore the 13 seeds

While many brackets focus on 10 and 12 seeds, history shows that No. 13 seeds frequently deliver surprises as well.

Two matchups in particular stand out this year.

Troy could be a dangerous opponent for No. 4 seed Nebraska in the South Region. The Trojans play an aggressive defensive style that can create uncomfortable offensive possessions for opponents.

Another intriguing matchup features Cal Baptist against Kansas.

Cal Baptist enters the tournament with one of the most dangerous weapons an underdog can have in March: an elite scorer capable of taking over a game. Guard Dominique Daniels leads the nation’s most explosive mid-major scorers, averaging 23.2 points per game this season.

Players like that can flip the momentum of a tournament game in a hurry. If Daniels gets hot, Kansas could find itself in a far more difficult battle than expected.

The real giants are the top seeds

While fans search for upsets, history reminds us that the biggest shocks sometimes come against the very top seeds.

No. 14, 15 and 16 seeds have produced some unforgettable moments in NCAA Tournament history.

UMBC stunned Virginia as a No. 16 seed in 2018. Saint Peter’s reached the Elite Eight as a No. 15 seed in 2022. Oral Roberts and Princeton have also delivered shocking runs as double-digit seeds in recent tournaments.

That’s the reality of March Madness.

No matter how strong a team looks in November, December or January, none of it guarantees safety once the tournament begins.

Because every year, somewhere in the bracket, another Cinderella is waiting.