The 8 teams that could win the men's NCAA basketball title - ESPN

There are just 12 days until the 68 teams with a chance to win the national championship are officially set for the 2026 men's NCAA tournament.

But are there actually 68 teams — of the 365 across Division I men's college basketball — that can win a title?

Probably not.

We asked our college basketball experts Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf to continue the ESPN tradition of selecting the eight teams that have the best chance to claim the national title — while also eliminating the other 357 from consideration.

Every Division I men's college basketball team, listed alphabetically, has been split into four different categories: «ineligible,» «no clear path,» «near misses» and «could win it all.» Those eight in that final category? They have the best chance to lift the trophy in Indianapolis on April 6.

Jump to:
The near misses | The eight contenders

Coppin State Eagles
Le Moyne Dolphins
Mercyhurst Lakers
New Haven Chargers
West Georgia Wolves

Abilene Christian Wildcats
Air Force Falcons
Akron Zips
Alabama A&M Bulldogs
Alabama State Hornets
UAlbany Great Danes
Alcorn State Braves
American University Eagles
App State Mountaineers
Arizona State Sun Devils
Arkansas State Red Wolves
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
Army Black Knights

Auburn Tigers
Austin Peay Governors
Ball State Cardinals
Baylor Bears
Bellarmine Knights
Belmont Bruins
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
Binghamton Bearcats
Boise State Broncos
Boston College Eagles
Boston University Terriers
Bowling Green Falcons
Bradley Braves
Brown Bears
Bryant Bulldogs
Bucknell Bison
Buffalo Bulls
Butler Bulldogs
Cal Poly Mustangs
Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners
Cal State Fullerton Titans
Cal State Northridge Matadors
California Baptist Lancers
California Golden Bears
Campbell