Despite two recent losses, the Arizona Wildcats earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA’s first bracket reveal Saturday.
Michigan earned the No. 1 overall seed, Houston was the second No. 1 seed, Arizona was the No. 3 overall team and Iowa State rounded out the four top seeds.
The Wildcats started the season 23-0, which was a program record, and were the consensus No. 1 team in the AP poll.
However, Arizona hit a roadblock with back-to-back losses to Kansas and Texas Tech. The Wildcats responded Wednesday with a home win over BYU.
Arizona will face No. 2 Houston at 1 p.m. MST Saturday to cap off a four-game stretch facing opponents all inside the top 25.
Arizona and Iowa State were the two Big 12 teams to earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA’s initial bracket reveal, but Houston, Kansas and Texas Tech all joined them among the top 16 teams to earn top four seeds.
The current #MarchMadness Top 16 seeds 👀
1. Michigan
2. Duke
3. Arizona
4. Iowa State
5. UConn
6. Houston
7. Illinois
8. Purdue
9. Florida
10. Kansas
11. Nebraska
12. Gonzaga
13. Texas Tech
14. Michigan State
15. Vanderbilt
16. Virginia pic.twitter.com/DwOQ6EXqE0— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 21, 2026
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The biggest change between the AP poll rankings and the initial NCAA bracket reveal is Houston dropping from No. 2 in the poll to No. 6 overall in the reveal. Arizona moved up a spot as a result and Iowa State leaped UConn to jump into the top four and earn a No. 1 seed.
How did Arizona get here?
The Wildcats have been led by their efficient shooting and strong rebounding this season. Arizona ranks No. 2 in the country in total rebounds and leads the Big 12 in points, field goal percentage and free throws made.
If Arizona maintains its No. 1 seed through Selection Sunday, it would be the second time in five seasons under coach Tommy Lloyd that the Wildcats would be one of the top four overall teams in the tournament.
Selection Sunday is March 15, with the first round of the NCAA Tournament beginning March 19-20.
from Arizona Sports https://ift.tt/F6rGNfY
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