Jimmy Fallon’s most scientifically dubious—but undeniably adorable—analysts are back on the case.
Fallon rolled out the latest edition of his long-running “Puppy Predictors” on Thursday night’s Tonight Show, this time letting four pups loose to determine the winner of the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
The setup was simple: one puppy representing each Final Four team—UConn, Illinois, Arizona, and Michigan—and a single bowl of kibble. Whichever dog reached the bowl first would crown the national champion.
After a quick warning from Fallon to keep things “clean,” the apparently well-fed puppies were released, with none exactly making a beeline for the bowl. Ultimately, Fallon declared UConn’s pup, Donna Braylen, the winner. “You heard it here first,” he said as the audience cheered.
The Puppy Predictors have become a staple of Fallon’s show, with the host regularly enlisting them to forecast outcomes for March Madness, the Super Bowl, and the Kentucky Derby. Their accuracy, however, remains hit-or-miss.
Including this year’s pick, Fallon has now deployed the puppies on the Final Four seven times. They’ve been right twice—correctly calling the champions in 2019 and 2022—giving them a modest track record that’s perhaps better suited for entertainment than serious betting strategy.
Still, if you’re looking for a sign—or just an excuse to back UConn—Fallon’s furry forecasters have made their call. Now it’s up to the Huskies to see if the puppies got it right.
Illinois and UConn will face off Saturday evening, followed by a matchup between Michigan and Arizona. The winners will advance to Monday night’s national championship game.
Watch the full segment at the top of this post.
