Mar 22, 2026, 12:30 AM ET
March is about surviving and advancing — eight teams won again to reach the Sweet 16. Here’s a concise look at how each second-round game was decided and what each winner must do to get to the Elite Eight.
(4) Arkansas 94, (12) High Point 88
How Arkansas won: Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. erupted for 36 points and six assists in Portland. Tied 83-83 late, Acuff scored seven straight and finished 12 of Arkansas’ final 15 points in regulation, closing a wild back-and-forth. High Point’s Rob Martin turned in a memorable 30-point game with five assists and four rebounds.
Sweet 16 opponent: Winner of (1) Arizona vs. (9) Utah State
How the Razorbacks can advance: Arkansas lives and dies with Acuff’s late-game creation. With interior and wing balance from Malique Ewin (14 points, 12 rebounds), Billy Richmond III (15 and 10) and Meleek Thomas (19), opponents are forced to crowd Acuff — which should open looks for others. If the freshman maintains efficiency and poise, Arkansas has a real chance to keep rolling. — Myron Medcalf
(4) Nebraska 74, (5) Vanderbilt 72
How Nebraska won: Braden Frager’s layup with 2.2 seconds remaining iced the Cornhuskers’ second tournament victory. Nebraska spread the scoring (four players in double figures), dominated the paint 38-22 and shot 56% as a team.
Sweet 16 opponent: Winner of (1) Florida vs. (9) Iowa
How the Cornhuskers can advance: Nebraska’s season identity is perimeter shooting and tough defense. With four players who made 50+ threes this year, they’ll need another big night from beyond the arc and continued defensive focus. If they hit double-digit threes and keep forcing turnovers, they can make a deep run. — Jeff Borzello
(3) Illinois 76, (11) VCU 55
How Illinois won: Andrej Stojakovic led with 21 points while Zvonimir Ivisic added 14 and 11 rebounds. Illinois flipped a two-point halftime deficit into a dominant second half, outscoring VCU by 23 over the final 23 minutes and smothering the Rams’ momentum.
Sweet 16 opponent: Houston
How the Fighting Illini can advance: Illinois has one of the nation’s most potent offenses and can survive pressure if it keeps converting in bursts. Against Houston’s disruptive defense the Illini must exploit scoring spurts to build cushions; if they sustain offensive efficiency, Illinois should be able to blunt the Cougars’ comeback chances. — Myron Medcalf
(11) Texas 74, (3) Gonzaga 68
How Texas won: Jordan Pope nailed a go-ahead 3 with 2:31 left. Pope and Matas Vokietaitis each finished with 17 points as Texas rode momentum and a continued offensive surge from Vokietaitis under Sean Miller.
Sweet 16 opponent: Winner of (2) Purdue vs. (7) Miami
How the Longhorns can advance: Texas has carried First Four momentum into the main draw, pairing improved defense (roughly 1.03 points allowed per tournament possession) with Vokietaitis’ recent scoring. To beat Purdue or Miami they’ll need to sustain that defensive lift and rely on Vokietaitis to handle interior matchups. Interior defense and rebounding will decide those games. — Jeff Borzello
(2) Houston 88, (10) Texas A&M 57
How Houston won: The Cougars closed a contest-changing 19-4 run after A&M briefly trimmed the lead to one. Houston outrebounded the Aggies 46-29, forced 11 turnovers and got 17 points and nine rebounds from freshman Chris Cenac Jr.; Emanuel Sharp led the scoring with 18 and Kingston Flemings provided efficient play.
Sweet 16 opponent: Illinois
How the Cougars can advance: Houston’s defensive identity is to slow opponents and make possessions deliberate. Against Illinois’ top offense they’ll need balanced, efficient guard play and to deny Illini momentum swings. If Houston executes its trademark defensive gameplan and gets timely offense from Cenac, Flemings and others, they can reach the Elite Eight. — Myron Medcalf
(1) Duke 81, (9) TCU 58
How Duke won: After a quiet first half, Cameron Boozer took over the second, scoring 17 on 7-of-9 shooting and igniting a 43-18 run over the final 16 minutes as Duke turned a two-point deficit into a rout. Foul trouble for key TCU players helped open the door.
Sweet 16 opponent: Winner of (4) Kansas vs. (5) St. John’s
How the Blue Devils can advance: Duke’s top-ranked KenPom defense and Boozer’s two-way impact are the program’s biggest edges. If Boozer stays the focal point and the defense keeps teams out of rhythm, neither Kansas nor St. John’s presents a matchup likely to stop Duke’s path to the Elite Eight. — Jeff Borzello
(3) Michigan State 77, (6) Louisville 69
How Michigan State won: Jeremy Fears Jr. dished 16 assists, becoming the first Big Ten player in 50 years to total 27 assists across a two-game NCAA span; Coen Carr added a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double. Michigan State limited Louisville’s primary scorers and made free throws when it mattered.
Sweet 16 opponent: Winner of (2) UConn vs. (7) UCLA
How the Spartans can advance: Tom Izzo’s coaching and a defense designed to take opponents’ stars out of rhythm are Michigan State’s roadmap. If the Spartans can neutralize a single go-to scorer and get efficient production from their supporting pieces, they have the experience to make another Elite Eight push. — Myron Medcalf
(1) Michigan 95, (9) Saint Louis 72
How Michigan won: Yaxel Lendeborg poured in 25 points with no turnovers while Michigan shot 55.7%, blocked nine shots and outrebounded Saint Louis 42-27. The Wolverines pulled away in the second half with dominating play in the paint.
Sweet 16 opponent: Winner of (4) Alabama vs. (5) Texas Tech
How the Wolverines can advance: Michigan’s size and interior strength are matchup advantages. If Aday Mara and Lendeborg control the rim, protect the paint and the Wolverines contain perimeter threats, they should be able to outmuscle either Alabama or Texas Tech on the way to the Elite Eight. — Jeff Borzello