The 2026 Big Bracket Challenge is has come and gone, as the National Championship game was played Monday evening with the Michigan Wolverines taking down UConn, 69- 63, to win the “ Big Dance”.
We had 25 contestants fill out a bracket this year for the Big Bracket Challenge. Derek Lopez won the challenge with 97 points, but due to being a Leader-News employee, can not claim the prize. Therefore, Ed Dabrowski won the first place prize with 96 points and John Hernandez took second place with 95 points.
In the Sweet 16 in the West Region, 1 seed Arizona took down 4 seed Arkansas, 109-88, while 2 seed Purdue ended 11 seed Texas’ run with a, 79-77.
In the Sweet 16 in the South Region, 3 seed Illinois topped 2 seed Houston, 6555, while 9 seed Iowa knocked off 4 seed Nebraska, 77-71.
In the Sweet 16 in the East Region, 1 seed Duke survived against 5 seed St. John’s, 8075, while 2 see UConn took down 3 seed Michigan State, 67-63.
In the Sweet 16 in the Midwest Region, 1 seed Michigan topped 4 seed Alabama, 90-77, while 6 seed Tennessee took down 2 seed Iowa State, 76-62.
In the Elite 8, 1 seed Arizona knocked off 2 seed Purdue, 79-64, while 3 seed Illinois ended the dance for 9 seed Iowa, 71-59. 1 seed Michigan ended the road for 6 seed Tennessee, 95-62, while 2 seed UConn knocked off 1 seed Duke, 73-72.
In the Final Four, in a battle of one seeds, Michigan topped Arizona, 91-73, while 2 seed UConn took down Illinois, 71-62.
In the Championship game on April 6th, 1 seed Michigan held on to take down 2 seed UConn, 69-63, to win the National Championship.
In the standings, Johnny Rosemond finished with 94 points, while Martin Duran tallied 89 points and Larry Ashley finished with 83 points. Dwight Lewallen finished with 82 points, while Stephanie and Teresa Dabrowski each finished with 81 points.
Lonnie Neinast tallied 78 points, while Steve Raney finished with 77 points, and Tim Walker finished with 76 points. Alma Castillo finished with 72 points, while Mark Grace, Moe Castillo and JC Orozco each finished with 70 points, and Richard Orozco finished with 69 points.
Tammy McDaniel and Micky Orozco each finished with 65 points, while Robery Hinojosa tallied 64 points and Sheryl Lewallen finished with 61 points. Stetson Sedberry finished with 58 points, while Robin Neinast and Ben Eastepp each finished with 56 points and Debbie Scott finished with 14 points.
Thank you to our sponsors. Without them this contest would not be possible. They are Wellington State Bank, McDonald’s Valley Ag Electric, Brown Flying Service, Littlefield ISD, Rowe Abstract & Title Co. Lamb County Electric Cooperative, Inc., Pizza Hut and the Lamb County Leader-News.