Logjam at top of 2026 Calcutta

AMHERST – The 2026 Calcutta is up for grabs with six teams either in the lead or within one of the top spots on the leaderboard after an exciting first round of NCAA action.

The top three selections on the morning line sit atop the Calcutta with thoughts of drinking Dom out of the Chalise on the first Monday of April. The Chieftans, Commish and Amigos all worked out five wins in the first round, and some second-round battles will determine who sticks around and who drops going into Sweet Sixteen.

The Elders, Slayers and surprising Catholic Boyz all sit one back ready to pounce on the leaders.

The4-5 games could be the big story this weekend and there are some doozies.

The Counselors took it on the chin right out the gate with the High Point upset and leave round one bloodied and only two wins to show.

Defending champs capture slice of the lead after big Thursday

The Chiefs struck early and with force on Day One with a couple of upset wins by 9-seeds and survived a 1-Duke upset to hold the top spot from the start. They carry a 1, 4 and 6 seed into the next round hoping for the Vols to continue their run into next week. Worthy leaders.

Commish tied for lead, wishing what could’ve been

Two lower seeds losing 8-9 and 7-10 games could have sent yours truly to a commanding 7-point start but had enough firepower to catch a piece of the lead. Similar to the Chiefs they enter round two with a 1,4 and 6 seed alive with a big day in Buffalo. Will need to catch an upset to keep the momentum going. Florida looked solid last night albeit against a 16-seed winning by 69. Nice.

Amigos hopping to top spot

Slow and steady wins the race. The Blue Bloods lost a huge upset in the Tar Heels but survived to draw even with the Chiefs and Commish by the end of the day. They send forth a 1, 4 and 7 into round dos. Top seed Michigan looked solid in the second half Thursday and Kansas has a big matchup with the 5-seed Johnnies and Rick Pitino. Not saying Adios early this year.

Elders strategy to be tested this weekend

The 2024 champs came out swinging, but an upset of 6-BYU was the only reason they weren’t swapped out with the Chiefs on top. Lowest seeds remaining are 3-Michigan State and 4-Nebraska, both with tough second round matchups. Get your walkers ready boys, it’s a long road to Houston.

Slayers slay and Iowa State looks for real

2-Iowa State was a team a lot of us were sleeping on and the Slayers are ready to ride them deep. Only one from the top due to a slip up by 8-Ohio State and a lousy second half by 10-Missouri, the Slayers will need to get Vandy into the next round to face rival Florida who they beat soundly in the SEC tourney. Interesting team that I may have discounted too much on the morning line.

Catholic Boyz dance on

Probably the biggest surprise on the morning line is the Boyz. Their lower seeds held serve and it all comes down to a win from 5-Texas Tech or 7-UCLA on Sunday. Advanced two strong B1G teams in 2-Purdue and 3-Illinois to the second round and sit one behind the leaders. The Catholic Boyz playing on Sunday could be a bad omen for the rest of the Calcutta.

Win-Docs need to pick it up in round two

Lower seeds held serve, higher seeds lost. No joy in Win-Docville during round one where they usually catch an upset or two. The three teams left aren’t anything to sneeze at, so they’re not dead yet (hopefully you get the GIF reference). All three, 1-Arizona, 3-Gonzaga and 3-Virginia, should get through, which would give them six wins and still in the hunt. Need to close late for a chance.

Counselors overruled, sitting in the basement

The legal fellahs have fallen and sit in the basement needing sweeps by 2-seeds to have a chance. We’ve seen teams that go big on low seeds and sweating out riding them all the way to hit the board. It’ll be a long road for the barristers, but it can be done.

The results will be posted over the next few days in the google sheet link in the top right corner as usual. Sweet Sixteen post - Monday morning. 

Good luck everyone!