The lineup for the men’s 2026 NCAA tournament Sweet 16 round has now been finalized.
Correspondents from ESPN were positioned nationwide, providing detailed accounts of how every second-round match on Sunday was secured. Additionally, our seasoned commentators offer their perspectives on each victorious team’s prospects for reaching the Elite Eight.
How Alabama triumphed: Alabama advanced to the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive year, securing a commanding win against Texas Tech in Tampa, Florida. The Crimson Tide initially found themselves behind 2-0 but then maintained their lead for the remainder of the game, largely due to a relentless assault of 3-pointers. Alabama successfully converted 19 of 42 attempts from beyond the arc, marking the third-highest number of 3-point conversions in any tournament game since the 3-point line’s inception in 1987. Latrell Wrightsell spearheaded the team’s scoring with 24 points, complemented by three other players achieving double-digit scores. Labaron Philon Jr. contributed nine points and 12 assists, a total that stands as the second-highest for an Alabama player in a tournament game since 1984. — ESPN personnel
Alabama’s forthcoming Sweet 16 rival: Michigan
The Crimson Tide’s path to the Elite Eight: It’s a widely known fact that Alabama must sink a plethora of 3-pointers to remain competitive against Michigan. The Crimson Tide are at the forefront nationally for 3-pointers executed per game, 3-point tries per game, and their rate of 3-point attempts. They achieved 19 successful 3-pointers in their second-round triumph over Texas Tech. This proficiency must persist against Michigan, given the immense challenge of scoring reliably near the basket against the formidable Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. From a defensive standpoint, it will be an arduous struggle. Alabama has previously allowed substantial point totals to strong opponents numerous times, and the Crimson Tide’s defensive efficiency places them in the mid-range within the SEC.
This contest promises an abundance of scoring and a rapid tempo. Alabama will not shy away from a fast-paced match against Michigan, and a high-scoring exchange could benefit the Tide. — Jeff Borzello
How UConn emerged victorious: UCLA’s momentum began to falter with just over five minutes remaining when UConn unleashed a 9-0 scoring burst, expanding a narrow four-point advantage to a comfortable 13-point lead. The pivotal moment occurred when Alex Karaban, the Huskies’ standout performer on Sunday, swatted away Trent Perry’s shot attempt at the rim. UCLA’s coach, Mick Cronin, visibly disagreed with the lack of a foul call, resulting in a technical foul. Karaban converted the ensuing free throws, and Braylon Mullins then added a layup, effectively sealing the game. The Huskies dominated the boards (36-24) and surpassed the Bruins in points scored in the restricted area (30-20). — Tim McManus
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Alex Karaban’s 3-pointer has UConn rolling
UConn’s Alex Karaban knocks down a corner 3-pointer to get the Huskies rolling in the second half.
UConn’s adversary in the Sweet 16: Michigan State
The Huskies’ path to the Elite Eight: To overcome Tom Izzo’s team, UConn must deliver the same stellar defensive performance that restricted UCLA to merely 39% shooting within the arc. Their victory against the Bruins reinforced their capability to play elite defense when focused. Just a week prior, UCLA had registered 132 points per 100 possessions in a Big Ten tournament win against Michigan State. However, on Sunday, the Bruins – playing without their top scorer, Tyler Bilodeau (due to a knee injury) – managed only 57 points, marking their second-lowest score of the season. UCLA’s prominent player, Donovan Dent, contributed nine assists but struggled with shooting, making only 2 of 9 attempts and committing two turnovers. UConn must apply this identical defensive intensity to Jeremy Fears Jr., as Michigan State’s offense thrives when he is in his rhythm. The Huskies cannot allow this to occur.
Offensively, Mullins could be a decisive element. Tarris Reed Jr. secured a double-double against UCLA, though not matching his extraordinary statistics from the Furman game (31 points, 27 rebounds). Karaban achieved a personal best of 27 points versus the Bruins, while Solo Ball and Silas Demary Jr. collectively added just two points. Should Reed and Karaban establish a well-rounded offensive approach, balancing interior and perimeter play, Michigan State will be compelled to find strategies to counteract it. This disruption could afford Mullins—who has averaged 14.5 points through two NCAA tournament games thus far—greater latitude and chances to execute plays either off the dribble or through off-ball screens.
The Huskies possess numerous scoring avenues, and if the majority of these prove effective, they stand a strong chance of returning to the Elite Eight. — Myron Medcalf
How Arizona secured victory: The exceptional performance of the Wildcats’ guards was once again evident, with Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries spearheading their scoring efforts, tallying 18 and 16 points, respectively. Bradley’s contributions in the second half were vital when the Aggies initiated a comeback, narrowing what had been an 18-point advantage to just a four-point difference. The veteran guard persistently attacked the rim, converting challenging layups and drives, thereby quashing any hopes of an upset. Arizona’s imposing physical presence was undeniable, as the Wildcats outrebounded the Aggies 53-26, propelling them to their third consecutive Sweet 16 appearance. — Paolo Uggetti
Arizona’s Sweet 16 rival: Arkansas
The Wildcats’ route to the Elite Eight: Arizona possesses the capability to progress by employing a physically demanding approach that has proven challenging for adversaries all season. On Sunday, Utah State reduced Arizona’s lead to four points with five minutes remaining – a lead that had once stretched to 18 points – mounting a significant rally in the closing minutes. However, Jaden Bradley aggressively drove to the hoop for scores, Brayden Burries connected on critical shots, and the Wildcats earned 22 free throw attempts in the second half. This relentless style is what often causes most opponents to falter.
Arizona exhibits unwavering determination. Nevertheless, to defeat Arkansas, their primary objective must be to neutralize the most outstanding player of this college basketball postseason: Darius Acuff Jr. Should coach Tommy Lloyd formulate a defensive strategy against Acuff that minimizes extra defensive support, his guards could prevent early foul issues, which might significantly influence the game’s outcome. Yet, achieving this is considerably more challenging when facing a projected NBA draft lottery selection. Acuff has the potential to induce panic in any defense, particularly during critical late-game situations. Arizona must avoid this if they aim to win. — Medcalf
How Iowa clinched victory: Alvaro Folgueiras sank a decisive 3-pointer with just 4.5 seconds remaining, orchestrating an upset against the reigning national champion Gators and securing a spot in the Sweet 16. The Hawkeyes maintained control for the majority of the contest, holding the lead for 66% of the game, largely attributable to their successful matching of the Gators’ physical play. Despite Florida ranking second nationwide in points scored in the paint per game, Iowa managed a 32-30 advantage on Sunday. Four Hawkeye players reached double-digit scoring, spearheaded by Tavion Banks’ 20 points, with Folgueiras contributing an additional 14. They also outperformed the Gators in fast-break points (9-7) and limited them to their season-lowest 61 possessions. — Jenna Laine
Iowa’s Sweet 16 opposition: Nebraska
The Hawkeyes’ path to the Elite Eight: In contrast to most other Sweet 16 pairings, there is existing data on how Iowa can defeat Nebraska (and vice versa). When the Hawkeyes triumphed over the Cornhuskers on February 17, Bennett Stirtz, despite his relative inefficiency, still amassed 25 points, single-handedly guiding Iowa to victory. In their regular-season concluding loss to the Cornhuskers, he managed 11 points from 10 shot attempts. Throughout the NCAA tournament, Stirtz has garnered significant assistance from his teammates, with Folgueiras averaging 14.0 points across two wins and Banks contributing 20 points against Florida. Defensively, avoiding fouls is paramount. The Hawkeyes were positioned at the bottom of the Big Ten for defensive free throw rate, and a distinct disparity in free throw attempts was observed in their two encounters with Nebraska. In Iowa’s victory, they held a +6 advantage in free throw differential. Conversely, in Nebraska’s win, Iowa was at a -10 disadvantage. — Borzello
How Tennessee secured its win: A highly dramatic encounter unfolded in Philadelphia, as Tennessee successfully resisted Virginia’s challenge to clinch a victory and progress to the Sweet 16. The Cavaliers exploited several unforced errors to briefly seize the lead with approximately two minutes left, but timely free throw conversions by Ja’Kobi Gillespie and a series of missed shots by Virginia enabled the Volunteers to maintain their advantage. Virginia’s freshman, Thijs De Ridder, delivered an exceptional performance, leading all scorers with 22 points. He represents the first Cavaliers player since De’Andre Hunter in the 2019 championship to register at least 20 points and five rebounds in an NCAA tournament game. — McManus
Tennessee’s Sweet 16 adversary: Iowa State
The Volunteers’ pathway to the Elite Eight: To overcome Iowa State, Tennessee must replicate the rigorous defensive strategy that effectively halted Virginia in the closing moments of Sunday’s second-round contest. This defensive imperative hinges initially on Felix Okpara, who recorded four blocks against the Cavaliers and influenced numerous other shot attempts, notably deflecting a late drive by De Ridder during Virginia’s attempted rally. According to Synergy Sports data, opposing players had converted only 30% of their shots near the basket against Okpara prior to Sunday’s game. He will be crucial in defending the rim against Iowa State, a team that enjoyed a substantial lead in paint points against Kentucky (34-20) – yet, he will not bear this responsibility in isolation. Tennessee possesses the talent to manage every individual defensive matchup. The Vols are capable of guarding effectively across all positions. To secure a victory, they will need to apply significant pressure on Tamin Lipsey, precision shooter Milan Momcilovic, and Joshua Jefferson, should he return to play. This collective defensive effort, combined with exceptional displays from Gillespie and Nate Ament, would forge the winning strategy for Tennessee’s advancement to the Elite Eight. — Medcalf
How St. John’s claimed victory: Even with a field goal percentage of just 36% and narrowly squandering a 14-point advantage, the Johnnies managed to endure and progress, courtesy of Dylan Darling’s game-winning layup at the buzzer. While Darling will be remembered for the final shot, Bryce Hopkins was undeniably the standout performer, contributing 18 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and crucially, sinking a season-best six out of nine 3-point attempts. St. John’s defensive efforts largely neutralized Kansas for the majority of the game, compelling the Jayhawks to commit 16 turnovers. — Uggetti
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St. John’s stuns Kansas at the buzzer to reach Sweet 16
Dylan Darling’s first basket of the game is a layup as time expires to win it for St. John’s in dramatic fashion.
St. John’s Sweet 16 contender: Duke
The Red Storm’s potential path to the Elite Eight: Rick Pitino’s tactical approach against Duke will, predictably, concentrate on containing Cameron Boozer. St. John’s boasts one of the premier defenses in collegiate basketball; however, the Red Storm lack the specific combination of height and agility that has occasionally posed difficulties for Boozer. A significant portion of the defensive burden will rest on the individual capabilities of Zuby Ejiofor and Dillon Mitchell, with Mitchell likely assigned to cover Isaiah Evans in half-court situations. On the offensive end, the Red Storm must sustain their elevated 3-point accuracy. Prior to the NCAA tournament, they had not achieved ten or more 3-pointers in a single game since January 10th. They have now accomplished this feat in both tournament matchups, including 11 successful attempts against Kansas on Sunday. — Borzello
How Iowa State achieved victory: Following a somewhat challenging opening period, Iowa State eventually found its shooting rhythm in the second half. Kentucky, meanwhile, consistently struggled with ball security. The Wildcats accumulated 20 turnovers, marking their highest total in an NCAA tournament game since 1993, according to ESPN Research. Despite the absence of senior forward Joshua Jefferson due to a sprained ankle, Tamin Lipsey (26 points) and Milan Momcilovic (20 points) stepped up their performances, propelling the Cyclones back into the Sweet 16. The primary concern for the Cyclones emerging from this contest is: will Jefferson be available to play next weekend? — Ben Baby
Iowa State’s Sweet 16 adversary: Tennessee
The Cyclones’ path to the Elite Eight: Regardless of All-American Joshua Jefferson’s presence, Iowa State will employ an identical strategy against Tennessee: prioritizing ball movement for optimal offensive shots, generating turnovers through defensive intensity, and capitalizing on fast-break opportunities. Even without Jefferson, who is contending with a foot ailment, the Cyclones compelled Kentucky into 20 turnovers during their second-round triumph, simultaneously outscoring the Wildcats 34-20 in the paint. Orchestrated by Lipsey – who concluded the game with 26 points, 10 assists, and merely three turnovers – the Cyclones achieved 150 points per 100 possessions and converted 63% of their field goals after the intermission. Their record stands at 18-2 whenever Lipsey maintains an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3-to-1 or superior.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament collectively committed five turnovers during Tennessee’s second-round win over Virginia. Iowa State possesses the capability to induce similar errors from this pair, akin to the mistakes made by Kentucky’s Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen (who combined for eight turnovers), even if Jefferson remains sidelined for an additional contest. This approach is fundamental to the Cyclones’ advancement. — Medcalf
How Purdue triumphed: It was the veteran players who delivered the victory for Purdue. Fletcher Loyer scored a game-best 24 points, complemented by Trey Kaufman-Renn’s 19 points, propelling the 2-seed Boilermakers back into the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year.
After rotating his guards in the early part of the first half, Matt Painter decided to keep Loyer and point guard Braden Smith on the court for the entirety of the second half. This seasoned duo not only brought stability to Purdue but also effectively countered a Miami team that had appeared formidable in the initial half. In a period where team rosters frequently undergo complete overhauls annually, Purdue stands as a compelling example of nurturing internal talent and maintaining consistency. This approach appeared to be the decisive factor in St. Louis on Sunday.
Nonetheless, significant commendation is due to Miami and Jai Lucas. The Hurricanes achieved a 19-win improvement during Lucas’ inaugural season as head coach. — Baby
Purdue’s next scheduled rival: Texas
The Boilermakers’ path to the Elite Eight: The resurgence in performance from Kaufman-Renn and Loyer late in the season has elevated Purdue significantly – and this duo is probably the most crucial factor for the Boilermakers going forward. Kaufman-Renn notched 20 points in the Big Ten tournament championship, followed by 25 points in their initial NCAA tournament victory over Queens, and then contributed 19 points and nine rebounds in their subsequent round win against Miami. Loyer demonstrated flawless 3-point shooting (4-for-4) against the Hurricanes and has now converted 19 of 35 attempts from long range in his last five appearances.
Although Texas’ defense has recently shown improvement, it remains in the lower half of the SEC rankings, whereas Purdue enters the Sweet 16 possessing the nation’s top offense. Furthermore, the Boilermakers are positioned within the national top 10 for 3-point shooting percentage, while the Longhorns are among the bottom third in 3-point defense. If C.J. Cox is fit and can consistently make shots alongside Loyer and Kaufman-Renn, Purdue is well-positioned to achieve a high score. — Borzello
