All New York-Based Bracket for 2026 March Madness

The Hamptons may be a little too far from the student section for March Madness to fully take hold. Generally, we’re more likely to know the best rosé list than a mid-major backcourt. Fine, maybe we’re not college basketball blue bloods, but New Yorkers still know how to pick a side. For us, we pick New York.

So, even if you lack elite ball knowledge, we created a bracket guide that picks winners based on the metric that matters most: each team’s connection to New York. Hamptons.com is proud to release our Official All-New York March Madness Bracket for 2026. 

Call it the “I <3 NY” bracket. Our official picks are locked in.  To establish a reasonable NY-adjacency factor, we used official rosters, player biographies, school geography, and a few deeper details to determine which programs feel most New York-adjacent. The result is a research-based, entirely defensible guide to who should advance.

If a team has New York roots, New York players, or even a convincing New York orbit, it has a case.

We’ve covered every single game in the Round of 64 for the 2026 March Madness and included our bracket below so you can see how well New York performs in this year’s tournament! Follow @bydavidandrews for updates as the tournament progresses!
 

EAST REGION

Duke vs. Siena

New York Saints vs. New Jersey North Carolina Blue Devils? This is an easy one – even without the obvious anti-Duke bias in the Hamptons.com Sports staff – we’re picking Siena, who is making their first appearance in March Madness in 16 years!

Ohio State vs. TCU

O-H….O-NO! We’re rooting for the Horned Frogs because Head Coach Jamie Dixon was raised by native New Yorkers and spent much of his childhood in the Bronx. Still, a small shoutout to Braylen Nash (New Albany, Ohio) for the Buckeyes. Although it’s not really Queen City of New York, it counts for something.

St. John’s vs. Northern Iowa

Queens is technically on Long Island, so this is another easy selection for the Red Storm. Of course, we already know Head Coach Rick Pitino is from the Big Apple – just look at those suits. Our sports writers are encouraged by the recent play of Sophomore standout Ian Jackson (also a NY guy).

Kansas vs. Cal Baptist

We were going to pick Cal Baptist because Calverton was once a stop on the LIRR – but, Melvin Council Jr. (6’4’’ Junior Guard) for KU is from Rochester. So, Rock Chalk!

Louisville vs. South Florida

South Florida is basically New York South, so we’re picking the Bulls over a quite talented Cardinals team. 

Michigan State vs. North Dakota State

Gotta give this one to Izzy due to the Spartans’ connection with local volleyball and baseball legend who attended MSU. Also, the Bison pretty much cast their bucket down at their feet when it comes to recruiting. 

UCLA vs. UCF

We were expecting the time zone coefficient to put UCF in the lead, but the Bruins have 2 New Yorkers on the squad (Markell Alston, Queensbridge; Brandon Williams, Queens). Plus, we can’t forget the Kareem of the New York crop – Lew Alcindor, who grew up on Dyckman Street in Harlem.

UConn vs. Furman

Although Storrs feels like it’s 100 miles from everywhere, it is surely closer to the Hamptons than Greenville County, SC. Being from New Jersey, Dan Hurley of course recruits New Yorkers, so they’ve got the full Tri-State area covered.
 

WEST REGION

Arizona vs. Long Island University

As is common among the KenPom heads, Long Island University is the obvious pick here – GO SHARKS. With a new mascot that, according to their athletic department, symbolizes “strength, resolve, and brilliance,” all of which LIU will need to conjure to upend the Arizona Wildcats, who were ranked #1 for much of the year.

Villanova vs. Utah State

Not the Nova-Knicks, but we’re picking Villanova because Philadelphia still recruits more New Yorkers than Utah. Real Long Island sports lovers will recognize Freshman Nico Onyekwere from his time with Long Island Lutheran.

Wisconsin vs. High Point

High Point University almost got this edge simply because of how many Hamptons graduates go on to attend HPU, “The Leading Lifeskills University,” BUT, don’t count out Garnerville’s (formerly Calicotown) own Nick Boyd (6’3’’ Guard, Senior). Madison, New York, also appears to be an exceptionally quaint Village, so we’re going with the Wisconsin Badgers!

Arkansas vs. Hawaii

Arkansas, by a razor-thin margin (and, no, Coach Cal is not from NYC). Call us petty, but we’re going with the Razorbacks because of the long-standing competition for Best Nationally Ranked Beaches between Hawaii and Long Island. 

BYU vs. Texas/NC State winner

Will all Wade and see who wins the Texas/NC State game, but we’re pulling for Raleigh-based NC State here because the Research Triangle Park area has for more than a decade been the #1 location in the country (and explored universe) for relocated New Yorkers. The same cannot be said for Provo, Utah, home since 1903 of Brigham Young University. 

Gonzaga vs. Kennesaw State
In a clear East Coast bias, we’re selecting Kennesaw State, whose 6’6’’ Sophomore guard, Ramone Seals, some of our readers may know from their winters spent in Tampa Florida. A reach, but still – Hoot Hoot for the Kennesaw State Owls!

Miami (FL) vs. Missouri

Go ‘Canes! We already know a lot of our readers are in Miami right now watching the game, wondering if the bar will put the tennis match back on.

Purdue vs. Queens (N.C.)

Sure, it’s not the real Queens, but Queens University takes the slight edge over the Boilermakers. Let’s go KINGS!

SOUTH REGION

Florida vs. Prairie View A&M/Lehigh winner

If you weren’t already a fan of Florida’s Sophomore guard, Boogie Fland, get ready. The Bronx native averages a strong 11.6 points and is a human highlight reel.

Clemson vs. Iowa

For the most recent academic year, 910 undergraduate students attended Clemson University; while, according to the registrar, just 133 New Yorkers attended the University of Iowa. Obvious edge for Clemson. 

Vanderbilt vs. McNeese

McNeese has 2 New Yorkers: Abdou Akim Mazou Tahirou and JJ Rembert. Vandy’s got zero. They do, however, have two guys from Gary, Indiana, which is also the farthest north their coaching staff has recruited. 

Nebraska vs. Troy

A toss-up here. Let’s go with Troy because there is a Troy, New York, the county seat of Rensselaer County, and known as “Collar City.”

North Carolina vs. VCU

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has deep connections to the Empire State. Even before Dean Smith, legendary New Yorker Frank McGuire brought a healthy cohort of New Yorkers to the Tar Heel State, including Joe Quigg. Most recently, long islander RJ Davis had his jersey retired in the Smith Center.  Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown lives in East Hampton. The choice is clear. 

Illinois vs. Penn

No real connection between NY and these programs – so, we’re going to a tie-breaker based on mascots. While New York is not known for its Quakers… there are more Quakers here than there are Fighting Illini (or, even well-tempered Ilini for that matter). Choose peace, pick the Quakers. 

Saint Mary’s vs. Texas A&M

Saint Mary’s might be the most international roster I’ve seen in research for this piece – and, since New York is a truly international city with a noted Irish history, we’re rooting for Gideon the Gael (an Irish warrior).

Houston vs. Idaho

We’re going on record: Kelvin Sampson is a national treasure. Luckily, Idaho doesn’t recruit NY any more than Coach Sampson does, so we’re giving the edge to the Cougars. 

MIDWEST REGION

Michigan vs. UMBC/Howard winner

Elliot Cadeau, and his 2.4 turnovers per game and CVS sponsorship, are from Brooklyn, so if you can bring yourself to root for Dusty May and this Michigan team, by all means. 

Georgia vs. Saint Louis

Let’s go, Georgica Poodles! (that’s as close as we could get)

Texas Tech vs. Akron

Sorry, Red Raiders – Brooklyn’s own Rich Brisco (great name, BTW) makes us big fans of the Zippy, a female Kangaroo. DYK that Zippy is one of the few female mascots in college athletics!

Alabama vs. Hofstra

If you are reading this, you or someone you know very likely attended Hofstra University – The Pride of Long Island. STRONG ISLAND BABY!

Tennessee vs. Miami (Ohio)/SMU winner

New Yorkers love Miami, but not when it’s in Ohio. So, no RedHawks.  SMU has a real Hamptons presence, if the Hamptons were in Dallas. With surprising disregard for Southern Methodist University’s well-documented history of paying its players, decades before the NIL, the Mustangs are phasing out their slogan, “Pony Up.”

Virginia vs. Wright State

Another toss-up here, but we’re giving it to Virginia because the Wright State Raiders play their home games at the “Nutter Center,” and that just isn’t very chic. 

Kentucky vs. Santa Clara

We all miss Tubby Smith, but it’s okay to root for the Wildcats over some Westcoasters. Also – shoutout to Jamal Mashburn, who left The Greatest City on Earth to score 1,843 points in Lexington, Kentucky.

Iowa State vs. Tennessee State

Wayandach love – let’s go Khalil London (6’3’’ Redshift Sophomore, Guard). He is studying Finance. Also, didn’t realize Nolan Smith was the coach for the Tigers, but I’m sure you, Duke fans, will appreciate that factoid. So… Tennessee State Tigers get the pick.