DAY 5 PICK DISTRIBUTIONS

Our detox is nearly complete as the Sweet Sixteen kicks off tonight with four intriguing matchups! Games are now worth 4 points so it’s time to officially separate the contenders from the pretenders. With 41 bracketers with intact Final Fours it is anyone’s game with each result being pivotal in determining the 2026 FBC Champion!

Let’s take a look at today’s games…

PURDUE VS TEXAS

Matt Painter’s experienced crew of Boilermakers faces Sean Millers upstar ‘Cinderella’ Texas Longhorns. Will Smith and Kaufman-Renn be able to end the fairy tale for UT? Or will Daylyn Swain and the Horns Hook ‘Em and continue their charge?

NEBRASKA vs IOWA

Corn is on the menu this B1G Ten match-up. After pulling off the upset of the Tournament can Iowa continue the magic against their familiar foe? Or will Nebraska win their 3rd ever NCAA tournament game fresh off their close call vs Vandy? Grab your popcorn, corn on the cob or any corn-adjacent dish and find out!

ARIZONA vs ARKANSAS

The Wildcats look primed to make it to their first Final Four since 2001 looking deadly in the first weekend. They face freshman sensation Darius Acuff Jr and Arkansas. Can Arizona exorcise past March demons and survive a hog surprise? Or will Coach Cal and Arkansas upset a contender for the 2nd straight year?

HOUSTON vs ILLINOIS

We conclude with the marquee matchup with Kelvin Sampsons hometown Cougars facing the Fighting Illini. Now the favourite in the South Region will the Cougs be able to leverage the H-Town crowd? Or will Illinois Balkan frontcourt end their road to redemption?

The Madness is nearly back! Buckle up and best of luck!