{"id":680454,"date":"2026-03-26T17:06:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T17:06:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/680454\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T17:06:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T17:06:48","slug":"march-madness-map-shows-every-states-pick-to-win-ncaa-tournament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/680454\/","title":{"rendered":"March Madness map shows every state’s pick to win NCAA Tournament"},"content":{"rendered":"

In case you were wondering who your neighbor is rooting for this March Madness<\/a>, he or she has probably already told you, often, particularly if that annoying person is leading their pool.<\/p>\n

Or maybe you\u2019re also thinking of your neighboring state and who they\u2019re cheering on to win the 2026 NCAA Tournament<\/a>.<\/p>\n

MORE: Sweet 16 games on today, March Madness TV schedule for 3\/26\/26<\/a><\/p>\n

What about the country as a whole? How many states are rooting for, say, St. John\u2019s? Some of the answers may surprise you..<\/p>\n

The answer map (see below) is courtesy of the whiz kids at BetOnline. Here\u2019s how data was collected:<\/p>\n

The map is based on geotagged X data since the Sweet 16 was finalized. The results were based on tracking tweets, hashtags, and direct keyword phrases about who fans were picking to win the men\u2019s NCAA Tournament.<\/p>\n

Pretty cool.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the state breakdown:<\/p>\n

Duke (13 states)<\/p>\n

\"\"Mar 7, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils fans celebrate a win over the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Duke Blue Devils won 76-61. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

States rooting for the Blue Devils: Alaska, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia<\/p>\n

Sports fans in Ohio would rather see Duke win it all. Man, do they hate Michigan.<\/p>\n

Michigan (13 states)<\/p>\n

\"\"Jan 6, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; A Michigan Wolverines fan reacts from the stands during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O\u2019Haren-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

States rooting for the Wolverines: Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Wisconsin<\/p>\n

At least friendly Badgers fans are supporting their neighbor and Big 10 brethren.<\/p>\n

Arizona (11 states)<\/p>\n

\"\"Feb 28, 2026; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats fans react during the first half of the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at McKale Memorial Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

States rooting for the Wildcats: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, Wyoming<\/p>\n

All of these make sense to me except for Mississippi.<\/p>\n

Houston (4 states)<\/p>\n

\"\"Feb 21, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars fans react before the Cougars played against the Arizona Wildcats at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

States rooting for the Cougars: Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas<\/p>\n

I would have guessed that the Cougars had won more than four states.<\/p>\n

UConn (3 states)<\/p>\n

\"\"Mar 20, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA;.UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts in the first half during a first round game of the men\u2019s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

States rooting for the Huskies: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont<\/p>\n

Do you think the country has grown weary of the Huskies\u2019 winning and churlish Dan Hurley\u2019s whining? Just askin.\u2019<\/p>\n

Alabama (1 state)<\/p>\n

\"\"Jan 24, 2026; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide fans cheer during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

State rooting for the Crimson Tide: Alabama<\/p>\n

One and done, just like the remainder of the teams coming up next.<\/p>\n

Ahh, there\u2019s nothing like sweet home \u2014 right, Alabama? \u2014 where enthusiastic love and support are apparent.<\/p>\n

Arkansas (1 state)<\/p>\n

\"\"Dec 3, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Ryan Acuff Jr (5) celebrates with fans after a game against the Louisville Cardinals at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 89-80. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

State rooting for the Razorbacks: Arkansas<\/p>\n

Illinois (1 state)<\/p>\n

\"IllinoisFeb 15, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini fans cheer during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

State rooting for the Fightin\u2019 Illini: Illinois<\/p>\n

Iowa State (1 state)<\/p>\n

\"\"Mar 22, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats during a second round game of the men\u2019s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

State rooting for the Cyclones: Iowa<\/p>\n

Purdue (1 state)<\/p>\n

\"\"Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Fans look on during the Purdue Boilermakers and Queens University of Charlotte Royals game during a first round game of the men\u2019s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

State rooting for the Boilermakers: Indiana<\/p>\n

St. John\u2019s (1 state)<\/p>\n

State rooting for the Red Storm: Maine<\/p>\n

So, there you have it, folks.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m wondering if your state\u2019s NCAA Tournament champion choice reflects your own views or those of others you know and whose opinion you value. Is there a secret Dookies fan out there you didn\u2019t suspect?<\/p>\n

Send this to colleagues, friends, and family to find out.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n

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