The two tables below list opponents, in alphabetical order, that should be avoided for each of the 361 Division I men’s basketball schools eligible to play in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, in order to prevent rematches that would upset NCAA bracketing principles.
Four teams are ineligible for the 2026 NCAA Tournament due to DI transition rules and do not appear on either sheet. These teams are: Le Moyne, Mercyhurst, New Haven, West Georgia.
The first sheet lists out all non-conference opponents played by that row’s team over the course of the 2025-26 season. Teams listed with an asterisk (*) represent an opponent played during the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Non-conference opponents played during the 2025-26 season:
- Should be avoided in the first round when possible
- Should also be avoided in the second round when possible
Additionally, non-conference opponents played during the 2025 NCAA Tournament should be avoided in the first round when possible.
The second sheet lists out all conference opponents played at least twice by that row’s team over the course of the 2025-26 season. Teams listed with (3) were played at least three times during the season. Teams listed with an asterisk (*) are conference opponents that were also played in a non-conference game. All conferences have all their teams play every other team at least once, EXCEPT for the Sun Belt, in which all but one team is played. The Sun Belt teams listed with (0) were not played by the team in that row.
Conference opponents played during the 2025-26 season:
- Must be avoided in the first round and should also be avoided in the second round when possible, though conference opponents can meet as early as the second round if they only played once prior to the tournament
- Must be avoided until the Sweet Sixteen if played twice
- Must be avoid until the Elite Eight if played three or more times
However, all principles can be relaxed if absolutely necessary when bracketing the last four at-large teams selected to play in the First Four.
2026 rematches to avoid tables coming soon!