The 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament opened with several notable developments affecting both top-seeded teams and player availability.

Top-seeded Duke faced an unexpectedly challenging first-round matchup against Siena, requiring a comeback effort to avoid what would have been a major upset. The close contest served as an early test for the tournament's No. 1 overall seed, highlighting the competitive nature of this year's field.

Meanwhile, Alabama entered the tournament without star player Aden Holloway, who was arrested on March 15 after authorities discovered 2.1 pounds of marijuana in his apartment. The arrest made Holloway unavailable for the start of March Madness, impacting Alabama's roster as they begin tournament play.

The early tournament action has drawn attention to the strength of lower-seeded teams, with traditional "Cinderella" stories potentially playing a significant role in this year's bracket outcomes. The combination of vulnerable higher seeds and motivated underdogs has created an environment where upsets appear more likely than in previous years.

The tournament continues with teams navigating both on-court challenges and off-court issues that have affected roster composition for the postseason.