Gonzaga, BYU Headline Early 2026 NCAA Projections

After Gonzaga failed to reach the Sweet 16 in the 2024-25 season for the first time in a decade and received a 'C' grade from ESPN analysts, ESPN's Joe Lunardi projects them as a No. 6 seed for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, led by returning players Graham Ike and Braden Huff. The Bulldogs face challenges with six rotational player departures and a quiet transfer portal. BYU is attracting major preseason attention, projected as a No. 2 seed with the potential for back-to-back second-weekend NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in program history. Saint Mary's, which outperformed Gonzaga last season, is excluded from Lunardi's initial 2026 field, signaling possible roster concerns. Idaho, a Big Sky team, is projected as a 15 seed set to face BYU in the opening round. Early bracketology underscores cautious optimism for Gonzaga and highlights BYU's rising prospects.