Expert Predictions for the 2027 NCAA Tournament
As the 2026-27 college basketball season approaches, CBS Sports experts have made their predictions for the Final Four and national champion. Notably, Florida and Duke emerged as the primary contenders, with Florida's Todd Golden aiming for a second national title and Duke's Jon Scheyer seeking his first after a successful coaching tenure.
Experts predict that mid-major teams will struggle to reach the Final Four, with one analyst suggesting none will qualify for the next decade due to the widening gap between power-conference teams and mid-majors. Additionally, Arizona's Caleb Holt is forecasted to be the Freshman of the Year, while an SEC team with a sub-.500 record could still make the NCAA Tournament due to the expansion from 68 to 76 teams.
Other predictions include Duke potentially winning its first national title in 12 years, bolstered by a deep roster and standout players like Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje. Meanwhile, teams like Illinois and Texas Tech are also expected to perform well, with Illinois looking to replicate its previous Final Four success.
