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2w ago

Michigan Becomes Title Favorite as Injuries and Chalk Define Early Rounds

Betting movements alongside injury updates are reshaping expectations in a largely chalky bracket.

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Minnesota's Amaya Battle, right, shoots around Oregon's Sofia Bell during the first half at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene Jan. 21, 2026.
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Overview

  • After a 95–72 win over Saint Louis powered by Yaxel Lendeborg’s 25 points, Michigan moved to +340 at DraftKings to overtake Arizona as the men’s national title favorite, per ESPN.
  • Iowa State routed Kentucky 82–63 to reach the Sweet 16 without All-American Joshua Jefferson, who was ruled out; Tamin Lipsey posted 26 points, 10 assists and five steals.
  • UConn meets UCLA at 8:45 p.m. ET on TNT with Silas Demary Jr. listed as questionable; FanDuel opened the Huskies as 4.5-point favorites.
  • The men’s field is tracking as unusually chalk-heavy, with USA TODAY noting no seed 12 or higher reaching the Sweet 16 for a third straight year and only one double-digit seed surviving the first weekend for a fourth straight year.
  • On the women’s side, USC freshman Jazzy Davidson delivered a 31-6-5 debut in an OT win, Iowa advanced behind 29 from Ava Heiden, and No. 2 Michigan thumped NC State 92–63 to claim a Sweet 16 spot.