The initial rounds of the men’s NCAA tournament have concluded, setting the stage for a compelling Sweet 16. While most top seeds have navigated the bracket successfully, several underdog programs have redefined the narrative of this year's competition.
Surprises and Standouts
Three out of the four top-seeded teams remain in contention. However, the path has not been without drama. The most notable disruption occurred when the ninth-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes eliminated the defending national champions, Florida. This victory marks Iowa's first trip to the tournament's second weekend since 1999. They are now set to face Nebraska in Houston.
Another headline-grabbing performance came from the 11th-seeded Texas Longhorns. After successfully advancing from the First Four, Texas secured a massive win over Gonzaga on Saturday. As the tournament’s primary "Cinderella" story, the Longhorns have earned their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2023.
Elsewhere, top-seeded Duke is preparing for a matchup against St. John’s, who advanced following a dramatic buzzer-beater by Dylan Darling against Kansas. Furthermore, both Arizona and Michigan managed to secure their spots in the next round without incident.
Sweet 16 Schedule (All times ET)
The Sweet 16 action begins this Thursday, featuring teams from the South and West regions, followed by the remaining matchups on Friday.
Thursday, March 26
- No. 11 Texas vs. No. 2 Purdue: 7:10 p.m. at SAP Center (San Jose, CA) – TV: CBS
- No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Iowa: 7:30 p.m. at Toyota Center (Houston, TX) – TV: TBS/TruTV
- No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 1 Arizona: 9:45 p.m.
- No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 Houston: 10:05 p.m.
Friday, March 27
- No. 5 St. John’s vs. No. 1 Duke: Venue: Capital One Arena (Washington, D.C.)
- No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Michigan: 7:35 p.m. at United Center (Chicago, IL)
- No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 2 UConn
- No. 6 Tennessee vs. (TBD): 10:10 p.m.