Bracketology: Florida, Virginia moving up while Auburn, Indiana slide in NCAA Tournament projection
CBS Sports
by
David Cobb
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Florida’s rise to the No. 2 seed line in CBS Sports Bracketology highlights their growing strength and potential as a contender for college basketball’s national championship. The Gators demonstrated their offensive prowess in an 84-71 victory over Texas, showcasing a dominant 23-7 run that turned a late deficit into a double-digit lead. Their improved 3-point shooting, led by Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee finding his range, has been a key factor in their recent surge.
Meanwhile, Virginia is trending up to the No. 3 seed following a convincing 29-point win over NC State and a nine-game winning streak. The Cavaliers’ elite rebounding and shot-blocking under first-year coach Ryan Odom have solidified their position as a top-tier team heading into their pivotal matchup against Duke.
On the other end of the spectrum, Auburn has slid down to No. 10 after struggling with inconsistent performance. Their drop in both WAB rank and KenPom metrics reflects challenges in maintaining the level of play needed to stay among the elite teams.
UCF’s recent recovery, highlighted by a strong road win over BYU, has positioned them as a solid No. 8 seed despite their lower predictive rankings. Similarly, Saint Mary’s has maintained its hold on an at-large bid with a seven-game winning streak and strong Quad 2 performance, even as they remain winless in Quad 1.
These shifts in the bracketology landscape underscore the volatility of college basketball, where momentum and key performances can quickly alter a team’s trajectory. For fans and analysts alike, tracking these trends provides insight into which programs are heating up or cooling down heading into the NCAA Tournament.
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/26/2026