The Next Round Alabama News Center Tourney Talk: Bama is in, Auburn is out; some Cinderella picks

The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament field is set (except for the play-in games). Alabama is the No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region bracket. Auburn missed the cut and has accepted the top seed in the NIT and will play host to the University of South Alabama in the first round. The Next Round Guys look at those teams and identify some Cinderellas for this year’s Big Dance in this Alabama News Center Tourney Talk.

The Next Round is hosted by Jim Dunaway, Ryan Brown and Lance Taylor, and can be watched on YouTube and Facebook or heard on smart speakers and podcast streaming live weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The Next Round is part of the Disrupt Media group of digital-first sports and entertainment shows and podcasts. Alabama Crimson Tide fans can access original public and subscriber content from Cover Crimson. Auburn Tiger fans can access original public and subscriber content at The Barn.