The NCAA Tournament is undoubtedly one of the greatest sporting events of the year. From a massive field of 68 teams, only one will be named the National Champion. With legendary victories and jaw-dropping defeats, the most exciting part of it all comes from Cinderella runs from smaller schools or lower-ranked programs.
Not only can these underdog stories be must-see action on the hardwood, but they can also be extremely profitable for the backers who bet on them during their March Madness run.
With this in mind, we’ve compiled our top picks and predictions for which teams have the best opportunity to become March Madness bracket busters for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, and help you snag a hefty payday on the latest March Madness odds.
- 13. Troy (+575)
- 12. McNeese State (+425)
- 9. Saint Louis (+120)
13. Troy (+575)
Sporting a tall, athletic squad, the Troy Trojans offer immense value for bettors at this year’s NCAA Tournament. Having claimed their spot as Sun Belt Champions, the Trojans are in their best position in school history to pick up a victory in March Madness.
An aggressive team that uses its size well, the Trojans enjoy pushing the pace and forcing their opponents into high-scoring shootouts. Having averaged a terrific 80.3 points per game this season, the Trojans generate much of their offensive success by crashing the offensive glass and creating second-chance opportunities for themselves.
While their First Round opponents, the Nebraska Cornhuskers (13-point favourites), are up to the challenge of a high-scoring duel, look for the Trojans to out-hustle and outpace their opponents as they generate the biggest upset of the First Round, marking them as the biggest March Madness Bracket Busters this year.
Troy to Upset Nebraska
12. McNeese State (+425)
Darlings from 2025, McNeese State is no stranger to racking up upset wins. Off the heels of their underdog victory over Clemson a year ago, the Cowboys are back in the saddle and ready to send the Vanderbilt Commodores (11.5-point favourites) riding into the sunset in the First Round.
Boasting an elite defence, the Cowboys love to hound the ball, forcing turnovers at a nation-best rate. Along with their sensational defensive intensity, the Cowboys aptly possess terrific shooting ability. Able to stretch the floor and knockdown the three, McNeese has found great success at getting out to an early lead, and forcing their opponents into deep waters as they struggle to match their offensive production.
With solid all-around size and skill, the Cowboys are bona fide March Madness bracket busters and could serve as bankroll boosters when the dust settles after the First Round.
McNeese to Upset Vanderbilt
9. Saint Louis (+120)
Rounding out our picks for the biggest March Madness bracket busters in the First Round, look for the high-octane offence of the Saint Louis Billikens to help propel them to a deep run in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Ranking among the best teams in college basketball in both offensive and defensive production per possession, the Billikens may be the best team nobody is talking about. Taking on a mediocre offence in the Georgia Bulldogs (2.5-point favourites), watch as Saint Louis runs all over them offensively, while preventing scoring chances on the other end en route to a one-sided victory.
With their unique style of play, the star power of the soon-to-be tournament darling, Robbie Avila, and never-say-die attitude, bank on the Billikens to secure the minor upset over Georgia, propelling them to their first NCAA Tournament win since 1995.