VOTE: Which team comes out of the South Region (in Houston) & Advances to the Final Four?

[Franisdaman]

6:30 pm CT Tip; Thur March 26
Nebraska favored over IOWA by 2.5

Iowa vs. Nebraska (Mar 26, 2026) Live Score - ESPN

Live coverage of the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers NCAAM game on ESPN, including live score, highlights and updated stats.

www.espn.com

9:05 pm CT Tip; Thur March 26
Houston favored over Illinois by 2.5

Illinois 65-55 Houston (Mar 26, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Houston Cougars NCAAM game, final score 65-55, from March 26, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

 

[LetsGoHawks83]

We are all flying high, but I had Houston on my bracket and it's still going to be them. They are better than Florida.

But I was wrong about Florida, so I'm ok making the same mistake.

 

[NoPuntsNoPeace]

Why not the hawks at this point?

I did jokingly tell someone last week that obviously Iowa was going to the Final Four, so why change my prediction now.

 

[Franisdaman]

Why not the hawks at this point?

I did jokingly tell someone last week that obviously Iowa was going to the Final Four, so why change my prediction now.

I wonder how Illinois does vs a very good team who will essentially be playing on their home court.

 

[Franisdaman]

2 tickets start at $336 each (plus fees).

Link:

NCAA Mens South Regional Tickets | Vivid Seats

Get NCAA Mens South Regional tickets and 2026 - 2027 NCAA Mens South Regional schedule information from Vivid Seats. 100% Buyer Guarantee!

www.vividseats.com

 

[Franisdaman]

We are all flying high, but I had Houston on my bracket and it's still going to be them. They are better than Florida.

But I was wrong about Florida, so I'm ok making the same mistake.

yeah, i think houston is gonna be tough to beat

 

[Franisdaman]

Hmmm....the last time Iowa beat a #1 seed....

 

[TweeterHawk]

6:30 pm CT Tip; Thur March 26
Nebraska favored over IOWA by 2.5

Iowa vs. Nebraska (Mar 26, 2026) Live Score - ESPN

Live coverage of the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers NCAAM game on ESPN, including live score, highlights and updated stats.

www.espn.com

9:05 pm CT Tip; Thur March 26
Houston favored over Illinois by 2.5

Illinois 65-55 Houston (Mar 26, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Houston Cougars NCAAM game, final score 65-55, from March 26, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

It would suck if the only non-B1G team out of the four goes on. But certainly possible … maybe likely, even.

 

[Franisdaman]

It would suck if the only non-B1G team out of the four goes on. But certainly possible … maybe likely, even.

Gonna be a lot of Houston red in the stands....and probably crazy Debbie red, too....

 

[Hawkfan_08*]

Gonna be a lot of Houston red in the stands....and probably crazy Debbie red, too....

I think we will be, by far, the most outnumbered in this regional. Houston might actually be 3rd behind Nebraska and Illinois. I just want our fans to show up and be loud. I did my part at Carver but I can't afford, nor have the time, to get there.

 

[LetsGoHawks83]

I think we will be, by far, the most outnumbered in this regional. Houston might actually be 3rd behind Nebraska and Illinois. I just want our fans to show up and be loud. I did my part at Carver but I can't afford, nor have the time, to get there.

And the other 3 teams had a one day jump on buying tickets.

Although all the Florida fans are dumping tickets now

 

[Franisdaman]

Just a reminder:

Because of having a top 21 KenPom offense AND a top 31 KenPom defense entering the NCAA Tournament, here were the 9 teams with a real chance HISTORICALLY at winning the 2026 National Championship:

....................................................Top 21...........Top 31
Overall..................Offense.......Defense
.......1. Duke....................................4............2
.......2. Arizona..........................5............3
.......3. Michigan.................. 8........... 1
.......5. Houston............... 14........... 5
.......6. Iowa State......... 21.......... 4
.......7. Illinois............................ 2...... 28


......4. Florida........................... 9.......... 6 (LOST to IOWA 73-72 in the Round of 32)

12. Vanderbilt............. 7....... 31 (LOST to Nebraska 74-72 in the Round of 32)

19. Louisville.............. 19...... 25 (LOST to Michigan State 77-69 in the Round of 32)


IOWA: #31 offense; #30 defense entering the NCAA Tournament.

 

[Lone Clone]

First of all, congratulations on the Florida win last night. Hawks clearly deserved to win.

Second, if I was forced to bet on who comes out of Houston, I'd vote for Houston -- although they are probably the only team in the tournament that doesn't get a huge boost by playing at home.

 

[Franisdaman]

First of all, congratulations on the Florida win last night. Hawks clearly deserved to win.

Second, if I was forced to bet on who comes out of Houston, I'd vote for Houston -- although they are probably the only team in the tournament that doesn't get a huge boost by playing at home.

I am afraid its gonna be mostly Nebraska fans in the arena on Thursday night

 

[Psyclone]

I voted Houston and had them picked in my bracket, but this Houston team can be beat. They are flawed compared to their recent teams. But they play hard and Sampson is a great coach. It won't be easy, but they are beatable. I just can't pick against Sampson. They wear you down.

I've seen plenty of all four of these coaches though and all are good. Three of them were in the Big 12 (Sampson twice) and I watched McCollum at Drake where I thought the offense he ran was a thing of beauty, with spacing and movement. The ball never got stuck. Many of these games will come down to who makes shots and that's where I do think Houston could be in trouble if they can't turn teams over. Hopefully the games don't come down to foul trouble or injuries.

 

[DukeSlater]

yeah, i think houston is gonna be tough to beat

Before the Florida game Iowa was given a 5% chance to win and almost everyone said, "Florida is gonna be tough to beat." And they were right. It wasn't easy to beat them.

 

[DukeSlater]

I am afraid its gonna be mostly Nebraska fans in the arena on Thursday night

Why be afraid? Iowa took Nebby to OT in Lincoln where ALL the fans were for Nebby. Not to mention Iowa just beat #1 seed Florida in a virtual home game in Tampa. My goodness . . .

 

[NLhawk62]

In a “fun” bracket I filled out, I had Iowa to the Elite 8, then losing a heartbreaker to Illinois. Because why not.

Amazingly, that could still happen. I voted Illinois because they’re the real deal, but it’ll probably be Houston. Whoever wins that game.

 

[Franisdaman]

I voted Houston and had them picked in my bracket, but this Houston team can be beat. They are flawed compared to their recent teams. But they play hard and Sampson is a great coach. It won't be easy, but they are beatable. I just can't pick against Sampson. They wear you down.

I've seen plenty of all four of these coaches though and all are good. Three of them were in the Big 12 (Sampson twice) and I watched McCollum at Drake where I thought the offense he ran was a thing of beauty, with spacing and movement. The ball never got stuck. Many of these games will come down to who makes shots and that's where I do think Houston could be in trouble if they can't turn teams over. Hopefully the games don't come down to foul trouble or injuries.

Turnovers for IOWA:

.....8: vs Clemson
10: vs Florida

 

[Franisdaman]

IOWA already has film on Nebraska & Illinois after playing them so many times.

Now their video guys are breaking down the film for Houston.

I don't think we make the Final Four but I would not be surprised if we did.

 

[Franisdaman]

I think we will be, by far, the most outnumbered in this regional. Houston might actually be 3rd behind Nebraska and Illinois. I just want our fans to show up and be loud. I did my part at Carver but I can't afford, nor have the time, to get there.

 

[Franisdaman]

Seth thinks Iowa has a legit chance to make the final four.

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Fight4Iowa]

I'd rather face Illinois than Houston. Houston is very quick, and I think they'd turn us over a lot in front of like 90% Houston fans.

 

[Franisdaman]

I'd rather face Illinois than Houston. Houston is very quick, and I think they'd turn us over a lot in front of like 90% Houston fans.

Still kinda hard to believe that 9th place (in the B1G) IOWA has a really good chance of making the Elite 8.

 

[Hawksbyamillion_rivals316961]

Still kinda hard to believe that 9th place (in the B1G) IOWA has a really good chance of making the Elite 8.

 

[doughuddl2_rivals]

Iowa is a lock! Nacho has arrived!

 

[Hawksfor3]

I'd rather face Illinois than Houston. Houston is very quick, and I think they'd turn us over a lot in front of like 90% Houston fans.

The ball pressure alone is scary.

 

[Fight4Iowa]

I call BS.

 

[Franisdaman]

I call BS.

Husker fans love their records.

* Consecutive sell out streak at their football stadium

* Loudest fans in the country

 

[Franisdaman]

Vote before tomorrow's tip off.

The results are interesting so far.

LIVE look at @EvilMonkeyInTheCloset :

 

[Franisdaman]

You have 30 minutes to vote!