March Madness power rankings for the South Region

We’re going to be going region-by-region for our Power Rankings for this year’s NCAA March Madness Tournament, and along the way, we’re going to give each region a nickname. The South is the “Region of Contrast.” We have fast teams, slow teams, big teams, small teams, red teams, and blue teams, all under the 16-team umbrella that is the South region! 

Visit djcc.club for more information.

MORE: Predicting the winner of March Madness 2026

1. Florida

The road to back-to-back begins now. After a shocking loss in the SEC Tournament to Vanderbilt, the Gators have now been given a daunting road that may include that same Vanderbilt team and Houston (in Houston) if they wish to repeat. I still trust Todd Golden and co. They are my pick to win it all!

2. Houston

Mar 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) shakes hands with guard Milos Uzan (7) against the Baylor Bears in the second half at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

I still have my fundamental concerns about the Cougars and their style of play – they don’t generate easy looks and view a missed shot as good offense because it allows them to grab an offensive rebound – but I can’t deny that they’re still one of the best teams in college basketball, and playing a regional in their home city is an incredible opportunity. Kingston Flemings is going to have to be “that dude” if they want to cut down the nets.

3. Illinois

Ironically, a 91-88 loss to Wisconsin caused Illinois to fall from their perch as the nation’s leader in offensive efficiency. But they still bring with them an incredible 5-out offense that exploits mismatches in all different kinds of ways, and Keaton Wagler is the type of playmaker who could make one of those special March moments.

4. Vanderbilt

I am fully in on this Vanderbilt team after watching them in the SEC tournament. The simple fact of the matter is that they have been a top-10 team in the nation while Duke Miles is healthy. Well, he’s healthy now, and he had one heck of a run in the SEC Tournament. This team will look to push the pace whenever they have a chance to, and they are fun to watch.

5. Nebraska

I don’t think there’s going to be a whole lot of first-round upsets this season. I’ll go on the record saying that. But if any team seeded 1-4 were to get upset, I think Nebraska is particularly vulnerable. They shoot a lot of 3-pointers, they force their opponents to shoot a lot of 3-pointers, and they don’t overwhelm opponents with size or athleticism. But if there is ever a season for Fred Hoiberg to get Nebraska its first NCAA Tournament win, the time is now!

6. Saint Marys

This Saint Mary’s team is big, physical, and will turn any game into a rock fight. If they get to play a potential second-round matchup against Houston, the first to 50 points may win that game. A big development in recent weeks for the Gaels has been the development of Mikey Lewis into the go-to guy offensively.

7. Iowa

Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) drives to the basket against Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Hawkeyes are limping into the NCAA Tournament as losers of 4 of their last 5. But they still have one of the nation’s best point guards in Bennett Stirtz and proven winners in head coach Ben McCollum. 

8. VCU

VCU is turning into the most coach-agnostic mid-major program around. No matter who they hire as head coach, they end up in the NCAA Tournament. This year, they’re led by first-year head coach Phil Martelli Jr. While they don’t have a lot of wins over tournament-caliber teams, they have a bevy of guards who can create off the dribble and hit contested shots.

9. Texas A&M

“Buckyball” is back in the NCAA Tournament. Head Coach Bucky McMillan, previously of Samford, has a philosophy of pressing for all 94 feet for all 40 minutes of a basketball game. It’s fun to watch, and it creates entertaining games, but can it succeed in a tournament setting?

10. North Carolina

One of the biggest injuries of the NCAA Tournament is that North Carolina is going to have to play through it without star forward Caleb Wilson. They simply haven’t been the same team without him. It’s going to put a lot on the plate of Seth Trimble and Henri Veesaar. 

11. Clemson

The Tigers suffered a major injury in the ACC Tournament as starting big man Carter Welling tore his ACL. Clemson plays so many different guys, and very rarely do any of them play max minutes, so they should have the depth to overcome, but how will this affect them? We’ll find out.

12. Troy

The Trojans are one of the more unique midmajors to find their way into the field. They beat San Diego State and took USC to triple overtime before losing by 1. They have one of the field’s most unique players in Victor Valdes, a 6’7” point forward who is a master in the pick and roll.

13. McNeese

The Cowboys’ style, which is a carryover from last year’s coach Will Wade to this year’s coach Bill Armstrong, works so well against Southland opponents. They overwhelm you with ball pressure and a fast-rotating defense assisted by superior athleticism. I don’t think it’s going to work against a power-conference foe.

14. Penn

Dec 20, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn Quakers forward TJ Power (12) looks to pass during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Quakers feature two of the best redemption arcs in college basketball. Head Coach Fran McCaffrey has them back in the dance in his first year removed from Iowa, and forward TJ Power, a former 5-star recruit and bench-warmer at Duke, helped him get there by dropping 44 and 14 in the Ivy League title game.

15. Idaho

The Vandals are a cool story as they haven’t been in the Big Dance since 1990. I don’t expect it to be a long stay, however, as they haven’t played an opponent better than Notre Dame this season, and even that game did not go well.

16. Lehigh

The Mountain Hawks got into this tournament by winning the America East and have been decently competitive against power-5 teams this year, only losing to Houston by 18. But CJ McCollum ain’t walking through that door. Don’t expect a repeat of 2012.

17. Prairie View A&M

This is quite possibly one of the worst teams to make the NCAA Tournament in the last 5 years. They rank 288th in KenPom and ended the regular season as the 8-seed in the SWAC. They do have one proper player in Dontae Horne, and he’s going to have to carry them if they want any chance at even winning their First Four game.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

MARCH MADNESS: 6 March Madness Cinderellas, bracket-busters poised to destroy the field

WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: Latest Mason Miller update could force Team USA to choose new WBC closer

BRACKETOLOGY: Kalshi reveals $1 billion prize for March Madness perfect bracket

NFL: Tom Brady’s Fanatics Flag Football Classic taps popular FOX broadcast duo

NBA:Board of Governors holding vote to explore adding two expansion teams
ENTERTAINMENT: Look inside the Oscars $350,000 gift bags for 2026 Academy Awards

The post March Madness power rankings for the South Region  appeared first on The Big Lead.

Read full story at source