The opening weekend of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament delivered dramatic upsets, buzzer-beaters, and the early exit of the defending champion, setting the stage for an unpredictable Sweet 16.
Iowa Stuns Defending Champion Florida
No. 9 seed Iowa defeated No. 1 seed Florida 73-72 on a game-winning shot by Alvaro Folgueiras with four seconds left. Florida, the 2025 national champion, became the first No. 1 seed to fall this year. Iowa will face No. 4 Nebraska in the Sweet 16.
St. John's Advances on Buzzer-Beater
St. John's, seeded fifth, overcame No. 4 Kansas 67-65 when guard Dylan Darling scored on a layup at the buzzer. This marks St. John's first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999. They are set to play No. 1 Duke.
Tennessee Holds Off Virginia
No. 6 Tennessee defeated No. 3 Virginia 79-72 after Virginia's late comeback attempt fell short due to critical errors. Tennessee advances to their fourth consecutive Sweet 16.
Purdue Moves Forward Amid Injury Concern
No. 2 seed Purdue beat Miami 79-69, but guard CJ Cox hyperextended his knee and his status for future games is uncertain. Coach Matt Painter achieved his 500th win at Purdue.
Iowa State Cruises Without Star Player
No. 2 Iowa State defeated Kentucky 82-63 despite the absence of All-American Joshua Jefferson, who injured his ankle in the first round. Iowa State reaches the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2022.
Men's Sweet 16 Matchups
The Sweet 16 games are scheduled for Thursday and Friday:
- Thursday:
- No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 11 Texas, 7:10 p.m. ET on CBS
- No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Iowa, 7:30 p.m. ET on TBS/truTV
- No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 4 Arkansas, 9:45 p.m. ET on CBS
- No. 2 Houston vs. No. 3 Illinois, 10:05 p.m. ET on TBS/truTV
- Friday:
- No. 1 Duke vs. No. 5 St. John's, 7:10 p.m. ET on CBS
- No. 1 Michigan vs. Winner of Alabama/Texas Tech, 7:35 p.m. ET on TBS/truTV
- No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Michigan State, 9:45 p.m. ET on CBS
- No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 6 Tennessee, 10:10 p.m. ET on TBS/truTV
Women's Tournament: Minnesota Advances
In the women's bracket, No. 5 seed Minnesota defeated No. 4 Ole Miss 65-63 on a last-second shot by Amaya Battle, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time in over 20 years.
Men's Second-Round Results
- Purdue 79, Miami 69
- Iowa State 82, Kentucky 63
- St. John's 67, Kansas 65
- Tennessee 79, Virginia 72
- Iowa 73, Florida 72
- Arizona 78, Utah State 66
- UConn 73, UCLA 57
- Alabama 90, Texas Tech 65
