What could be essentially the most random, most enjoyable Final Four mixture attainable in 2026?

I used to be having a dialogue with somebody about hypothetical Final Four fields the opposite day, and that received me pondering — what could be essentially the most random and most fun group of 4 groups that would make it to Indianapolis this yr for the NCAA Tournament semifinals?

I understand the brackets have but to return out, so this might be an train I revisit after Selection Sunday. But for now, this can serve to go searching the nation and acknowledge some enjoyable groups that don’t get a ton of consideration.

Will all of those squads make deep runs within the match? Probably not, however they’ll all be groups nobody needs to face.

I gave choice to varsities that play at a quick tempo. It’s not quite a lot of enjoyable to look at mid-major packages attempt to grind tempo to a halt towards larger foes. I would like up-tempo, fast-paced, high-scoring motion, and three of the 4 groups listed beneath present precisely that.

So, with out additional ado, right here is essentially the most random, most fun potential Final Four mixture I may provide you with that truly a minimum of has a non-zero probability of taking place:

1. Nebraska (23-4 total, 12-4 in Big Ten)

This is the one exception I made to my rule of favoring groups that play at a quick tempo. Nebraska ranks No. 201 within the nation in adjusted tempo, per KenPom. Still, what a narrative the Cornhuskers could be. Nebraska has by no means gained a single sport within the NCAA Tournament. Yes, you learn that appropriately. The Cornhuskers are 0-8 all-time in March Madness. They’re the one energy convention group that has by no means gained a tourney sport.

It could be an unbelievable disappointment if Fred Hoiberg’s squad didn’t finish that doubtful distinction this yr. But how loopy wouldn’t it be if Nebraska not solely gained its first NCAA Tournament sport ever, however gained 4 of them to make it to Indianapolis?

Yeah, that’s the sort of factor we’re searching for on this piece.

Nebraska has the expertise. Rienk Mast, Pryce Sandfort and Sam Hoiberg prepared the ground for maybe one of the best Huskers squad ever. Will March success lastly come this yr? We’ll discover out in a few weeks.

Will Nebraska or Santa Clara make a run to the Final Four this yr? Here’s what Kalshi has to say about 2 of my 4 longshot Final Four squads:

2. Saint Louis (25-3 total, 13-2 in A10)

Robbie Avila turned a semi-famous identify across the nation when he led Indiana State to a second-place end within the 2024 NIT. Now at Saint Louis, Avila’s scoring numbers are down (12.4 factors per sport this yr in comparison with 17.3 at SLU final season and 17.4 PPG for Indiana State throughout the 2023-24 marketing campaign), however that claims extra concerning the expertise round him.

Coach Josh Schertz has put collectively an A10 juggernaut that boasts maybe essentially the most well-balanced offense within the nation. A whopping 5 gamers common 10+ factors and a grand complete of seven gamers common 9.5 factors pre sport or extra (previous to Tuesday night time’s loss at Dayton). Anyone can beat you on any given night time, which takes quite a lot of stress off of Avila.

He nonetheless runs the offense, main the group with 4.2 assists per sport from the middle spot. however Trey Green, Dion Brown, Amari McCottry, Quentin Jones, Ishan Sharma and Kellen Thames are all high quality gamers who can rating.

If Saint Louis makes the match and goes on a run, anticipate searches for “what is a Billiken?” to skyrocket.

3. Miami (OH) (28-0 total, 15-0 in MAC)

The RedHawks are maybe essentially the most polarizing group within the nation this yr. On one hand, they’re an ideal 28-0. On the opposite, their nonconference slate was softer than Charmin and the MAC isn’t going to be mistaken for the Big Ten any time quickly.

Our Saturday Down South bracketology knowledgeable, Sonny Giuliano, had Miami (OH) as an 11-seed previous to Tuesday night time’s win at Eastern Michigan. My opinion is that this — plenty of groups play comfortable nonconference schedules and don’t play within the strongest leagues, and nobody aside from Miami (OH) is at present undefeated.

There’s loads to love about this Miami squad. The RedHawks play with the No. 43 tempo within the nation and have the No. 58 total offensive score, per KenPom. Elite numbers? No. But we see surprises each March.

It will surely show quite a lot of doubters unsuitable if the RedHawks turned the primary group from the MAC ever to advance to the Final Four. The furthest a MAC group has ever superior is the Elite Eight, which has been accomplished twice (Kent State in 2002 and Ohio in 1964).

4. Santa Clara (23-6 total, 14-2 WCC)

Those 2 losses in WCC play? Those each got here towards Gonzaga, which is hardly a knock on the Broncos. Santa Clara is 1-0 towards Saint Mary’s in WCC play, with a visit to Moraga on the schedule for Wednesday night time.

Santa Clara is No. 35 total within the KenPom rankings — 1 spot behind Auburn and 1 spot forward of Ohio State. The Broncos have the No. 25 offense within the nation, the No. 55 protection and play on the No. 47 total adjusted tempo.

The faculty that produced Steve Nash, Jalen Williams and Brandin Podziemski has one other sturdy guard in Christian Hammond, who doesn’t obtain a lot nationwide consideration, however averages 16.4 factors per sport as a sophomore:

Don’t sleep on Elijah Mahi (14.4 PPG) and Allen Graves (11.1 PPG) within the entrance courtroom, both. This is a strong squad, price staying up late to look at. Tipoff at Saint Mary’s is about for 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday night time.