5 Shock Last 4 Groups for Your March Insanity Bracket

[ad_1] Choice Sunday is upon us, and probably the most chaotic, thrilling, and drama-filled match of the 12 months is about to start: March Insanity.

The lads's Division I basketball match at all times welcomes heroes, villains, and a complete slew of latest characters to the nationwide stage, as a child with 500 social media followers in the present day might develop into a family identify by the tip of the month.

Whereas choosing a champion is vital, and customarily comes right down to which No. 1 or No. 2 seed you want the very best, discovering that particular crew that makes it to the Last 4 can typically be the distinction between profitable and dropping your pool.

That crew that solely you thought might make it there, which propels you to the lead over your friends, who all have the identical champion.

Listed below are 5 groups that would shock the world and be your private darkish horse to make a stand on the Last 4.

Extra information: 3 March Insanity Underdogs That May Win You Your Bracket

<img id="11678902" alt="" caption="CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 13: Donovan Dent #2 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against Kur Teng #2 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="4446" height="2965" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2266399530.jpg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2266399530.jpg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2266399530.jpg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2266399530.jpg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2266399530.jpg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2266399530.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2266399530.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> Extra information: 5 Event Favorites That May Destroy Your March Insanity Bracket

UCLA Bruins (23-10) Mick Cronin is both a madman on the verge of being fired or a genius who can beat anybody within the nation.

The Bruins repeatedly make deep runs behind Cronin, and they're a crew that is proven they'll play in opposition to the very best groups within the nation after they aren't continually touring throughout the map. Whereas they will not be taking part in in Los Angeles, the place they're unbeatable this 12 months, the Bruins might be among the finest bets for a decrease seed making a run to the semifinals.

Wisconsin Badgers (24-9) Much like UCLA, when the Badgers are firing on all cylinders, they'll beat anybody within the match. Whereas their protection could be a difficulty in opposition to a few of the higher groups within the competitors, Wisconsin has the taking pictures to knock off deeper groups in the event that they're in good type.

Ohio State Buckeyes (21-12) My third and remaining Large Ten crew are the Buckeyes, who're getting sizzling on the proper time. They have been on the bubble only some weeks in the past, however after some robust play and virtually upsetting Michigan within the convention match, Ohio State is feeling good going into the dance. Senior guard Bruce Thornton is a game-changer, and if he continues his present play, there isn't any purpose why the Buckeyes cannot make the Candy 16 with a puncher's shot on the third and remaining weekend.

<img id="11678916" alt="" caption="LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 09: The Saint Mary's Gaels mascot Gideon flexes during player introductions before a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference men's basketball tournament between the Gaels and the Santa Clara Broncos at the Orleans Arena on March 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Broncos defeated the Gaels 76-71. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="5246" height="3447" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 1024px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2265776265.jpg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2265776265.jpg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2265776265.jpg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2265776265.jpg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2265776265.jpg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2265776265.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2265776265.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> Saint Mary's Gaels (27-5) All the time the bridesmaid to Gonzaga's bride, the Gales hope that this match is totally different. They're at all times overshadowed by the Bulldogs on the subject of March Insanity, however this might be the match the place the Gales escape and have their very own iconic run. A very good protection and realizing tips on how to decelerate the tempo are typically good indicators for a darkish horse decide, and the Gaels have each of these qualities.

Tennessee Volunteers (22-11) Much like the Gaels, Tennessee has had robust groups over the previous decade or so with some elite gamers, nevertheless it by no means appears to be their match. This time round, with much less highlight on them, it could be their probability to vary that narrative round.

They seem to be a well-balanced crew, with the Thirty fifth-best offense and Fifteenth-best protection within the nation per KenPom, and put up a greater combat in opposition to the surging Vanderbilt Commodores than the Florida Gators did within the SEC match. Quite a lot of it'll come right down to freshman Nate Ament. When he is feeling himself and taking pictures properly, Tennessee can dangle with anybody. But when he performs like he did in opposition to Vanderbilt, going 1-13 from the sector, then this darkish horse could be put out to pasture early in March.