Sweet 16 dreams vs. Top 16 reality: Ole Miss basketball's bracket status revealed

The NCAA released a first look at what March Madness has in store for college basketball, and it is about to be a roller coaster ride.

While the teams are yet to wrap up their seasons, the anticipation for the madness is already swirling in the air.

"Saturday’s announcement provides a baseline for where teams stand as they go through the final stretch of the regular season. The top four overall teams will all be on the No. 1-seed line, with the next four as No. 2 seeds," On3's Nick Schultz writes, explaining how the seeding works.

"The full bracket will be unveiled on March 15 after teams punch their automatic bids in their conference tournaments."

2026 NCAA tournament Top 16 seeds

No.1 seeds:

1. Michigan (Midwest region)
2. Duke (East region)
3. Arizona (West region)
4. Iowa State (South region)

As the No. 1 overall seed, the Wolverines can choose the region in which they play, as well as where they want to play the first and second rounds.

No. 2 seeds

5. UConn
6. Houston
7. Illinois
8. Purdue

No. 3 seeds

9. Florida
10. Kansas
11. Nebraska
12. Gonzaga

No. 4 seeds

13. Texas Tech
14. Michigan State
15. Vanderbilt
16. Virginia

No surprise in Ole Miss's ranking

When speaking for Ole Miss men's basketball, the Rebels' loss against Florida on Saturday has almost strangled their postseason hopes. Almost.

Chris Beard's squad will need a miracle and then some to actually get into Sweet 16 this season, which is a stark contrast from the expectations when the season started.

For now, there is no Ole Miss in the Top 16, and expecting a spot would be like chasing a ghost in the bracket.

If they do pull it off in the little time left, it would easily be one of the wildest comebacks in the history of college football.