By — Eddie Pells, Associated Press Eddie Pells, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/duke-arizona-michigan-and-florida-get-top-seeding-for-march-madness Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Duke, Arizona, Michigan and Florida get top seeding for March Madness Nation Updated on Mar 15, 2026 6:57 PM EDT — Published on Mar 15, 2026 6:35 PM EDT Duke received the top overall seed for March Madness on Sunday, followed by Arizona, Michigan and Florida, each of whom would love a repeat of last season when all four No. 1s made it all the way to the Final Four. The top line was the most predictable thing to come out of Selection Sunday, with Michigan's placement at overall No. 3, not 2, possibly a result of the Wolverines' loss to Purdue moments before the brackets were revealed. READ MORE: Who invented the March Madness bracket? New York bar and Kentucky postal worker stake claims In the day's biggest nail-biter, Miami (Ohio) made the field as a No. 11 seed, but just barely. The RedHawks, with a 31-1 record but the 339th-ranked strength of schedule, were one of the last teams in the field and they face a First Four game Wednesday against SMU in Dayton, Ohio, not terribly far from home. The tournament starts Tuesday with other play-in games, including one pitting bubble teams and No. 11 seeds Texas and North Carolina State. The national champion will be crowned at the Final Four in Indianapolis on April 6. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Eddie Pells, Associated Press Eddie Pells, Associated Press
Duke received the top overall seed for March Madness on Sunday, followed by Arizona, Michigan and Florida, each of whom would love a repeat of last season when all four No. 1s made it all the way to the Final Four. The top line was the most predictable thing to come out of Selection Sunday, with Michigan's placement at overall No. 3, not 2, possibly a result of the Wolverines' loss to Purdue moments before the brackets were revealed. READ MORE: Who invented the March Madness bracket? New York bar and Kentucky postal worker stake claims In the day's biggest nail-biter, Miami (Ohio) made the field as a No. 11 seed, but just barely. The RedHawks, with a 31-1 record but the 339th-ranked strength of schedule, were one of the last teams in the field and they face a First Four game Wednesday against SMU in Dayton, Ohio, not terribly far from home. The tournament starts Tuesday with other play-in games, including one pitting bubble teams and No. 11 seeds Texas and North Carolina State. The national champion will be crowned at the Final Four in Indianapolis on April 6. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now