Thirty-two video games later, the primary spherical of the 2026 males’s NCAA event is within the books.
Here is your guide to all 16 first-round video games from Day 2, full with evaluation from on-site reporters of how every sport was gained, and our specialists’ takes on every winner’s possibilities to advance to the Sweet 16.
How UConn gained: Tarris Reed Jr. was simply an excessive amount of for Furman. The 6-foot-11 middle personally outrebounded the Paladins, hauling in 27 boards to go along with 31 factors in a dominant efficiency for UConn. The 3-point shot wasn’t falling for the Huskies (5 of 25), maintaining the sport tight towards Furman, which was powered by freshman Alex Wilkins and senior Tom House. But Reed managed the inside, plucking 11 offensive rebounds, together with a number of within the closing moments, to safe the win. He’s simply the third participant prior to now 50 years to have 30 factors and 20 rebounds in an NCAA event sport. — Tim McManus
UConn’s second-round opponent: UCLA
How the Huskies can advance to the Sweet 16: UConn can win most of its matchups on this sport, even when Silas Demary Jr. is unavailable. Solo Ball can create pictures off the dribble, Alex Karaban is a risk on the perimeter as a 38.6% 3-point shooter, Tarris Reed Jr. simply completed with 31 factors and 27 rebounds within the win over Furman, and Braylon Mullins is a first-round NBA prospect. The Huskies have handled effectivity points and turnovers in current weeks, but when they will play with more rhythm, they will beat any workforce within the nation. If Tyler Bilodeau returns, nevertheless, their bigs — together with Reed — can be challenged to defend in area. Still, a Huskies workforce with wins over Florida, BYU and St. John’s has overcome more star energy than UCLA has on its roster. UConn can hold issues easy and win. — Myron Medcalf
How Miami gained: Talk a couple of gutty win for the 7-seed Hurricanes. After Missouri lastly climbed forward, Miami reeled off an 11-0 run that put the Hurricanes firmly in management down the stretch. Senior ahead Malik Reneau struggled early however used a few 3-pointers to discover his groove; he scored 19 of his game-high 24 factors within the second half. Friday evening felt like a de facto street sport for the Hurricanes, however they dealt with the atmosphere and the pesky Tigers to decide up their first NCAA event win since 2023. — Ben Baby
Miami’s second-round opponent: Purdue
How the Hurricanes can advance to the Sweet 16: Jai Lucas has already orchestrated one of many greatest turnarounds in Division I basketball this season. A win over Purdue and a Sweet 16 look can be one other achievement in a exceptional first season on the helm, but it surely will not come simply. Malik Reneau may have to be the most effective participant on the court docket to give Miami — a workforce that does not have wins towards any nationwide title contenders — a chance to win. The Hurricanes may even have to strain Braden Smith and play disciplined within the paint. Even in the event that they just do that, although, they will nonetheless want Reneau, Tre Donaldson and Shelton Henderson to match — or exceed — no matter Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer carry. This is the sort of sport the place Miami’s greatest gamers may have to be higher than Purdue’s. — Myron Medcalf
How Kansas gained: For about 35 minutes, it regarded like Kansas would roll after taking a 26-point lead on Cal Baptist, however the Jayhawks’ cushion shrank to six factors with a minute left. Kansas buckled down and escaped with a 68-60 victory, but it surely included questionable selections down the stretch. Darryn Peterson led all scorers with 28 factors, however he vanished within the closing minutes — both by his personal volition or the performs being known as by the KU workers. Regardless, Peterson’s offensive assault fueled the Jayhawks’ victory. Now, they’ll face off towards the Big East event champions, St. John’s on Sunday. The dream Bill Self-Rick Pitino matchup is occurring. — Paolo Uggetti
Kansas’ second-round opponent: St. John’s
How the Jayhawks can advance to the Sweet 16: Flory Bidunga has to be the important thing for Kansas towards St. John’s. He may have his arms full towards Zuby Ejiofor, among the finest two-way massive males within the nation, however Bidunga has held his personal in matchups towards Motiejus Krivas and JT Toppin. Bidunga has additionally struggled mightily in different massive video games, 5 factors and 4 factors in two video games towards Houston, two factors towards Arizona and eight factors towards North Carolina, and his win/loss splits are telling. In Kansas’ wins, Bidunga averages 15.1 factors and shoots higher than 70% from the sphere. In losses, he averages 9.9 factors and shoots 50.6% from the sphere. Defensively, the Jayhawks have to hold St. John’s out of transition and pressure the Red Storm to make perimeter pictures. They ranked close to the underside of the Big East in 3-point try fee and proportion of factors from 3s. Their 10 3s towards Northern Iowa was the primary time they made double-digit 3s in a sport since Jan. 10. — Jeff Borzello
How Florida gained: After posting the second-largest halftime lead in NCAA event historical past at 60-21, the Gators saved it rolling, dispatching 16-seeded Prairie View by 59 factors for the second-largest margin of victory in NCAA event historical past. The historic marks did not cease there: Florida’s seven double-digit scorers tied the report for probably the most in NCAA event historical past: Boogie Fland (16), Thomas Haugh (14), Rueben Chinyelu (14), Alex Condon (13), Urban Klavzar (11), Xaivian Lee (10) and Micah Handlogten (10). — Jenna Laine
Florida’s second-round opponent: Iowa
How the Gators can advance to the Sweet 16: Florida’s sport prep will concentrate on stopping Bennett Stirtz and getting the ball out of his arms. Stirtz is a high-usage level guard, and Ben McCollum’s system revolves round him having a hand in almost every possession. Boogie Fland has actually developed as a defender this season and can doubtless be tasked with guarding Stirtz. The remainder of Florida’s plan can be about imposing its will. The Gators are greater and more athletic than Iowa, and so they’re elite on protection. If they will pace the sport up and make Iowa uncomfortable, it is exhausting to image the Hawkeyes maintaining. Iowa hasn’t performed a sport with more than 70 possessions this season; Florida averages 70.7 possessions per sport, per KenPom. — Jeff Borzello
(7) UCLA 75, (10) UCF 71
(7) How UCLA gained: The Knights put up a struggle with a late surge, however the Bruins walked away with the win after ending with 13 steals and 9 blocks to kick-start their transition offense. The Knights turned the ball over 17 instances in contrast with eight for the Bruins, and went simply 5-of-16 from the free throw line. Donovan Dent (10 factors, 5 assists, 6 steals) ran the present for UCLA and had a pair of alley-oop passes to Eric Dailey Jr. and Xavier Booker to add some flash to the substantive efficiency. Dailey tied a season excessive with 20 factors. He is the primary UCLA participant with 20 factors and 5 rebounds in an NCAA event sport since Jaime Jaquez Jr. in 2023. — Tim McManus
UCLA’s second-round opponent: UConn
How the Bruins can advance to the Sweet 16: It would assist if Tyler Bilodeau returned. The 6-foot-9 star is UCLA’s greatest 3-point shooter — he areas the ground for the Bruins in a singular method that balances their offense. Against UConn, his presence can be a difference-maker due to his measurement and expertise. Without him, the Bruins have to work tougher to discover open appears to be like towards a UConn squad with a top-15 protection. And Donovan Dent, who was 4-for-17 from the sphere towards UCF, cannot be a spectator on this sport. He was one of the coveted transfers within the portal in the course of the offseason. He has to play to his ceiling to assist UCLA beat a workforce that has gained two of the previous three nationwide titles.
On protection, Xavier Booker may have the accountability of containing Tarris Reed Jr., who simply completed with 31 factors and 27 rebounds in a win over Furman. If the 6-foot-11 Booker cannot decelerate Reed, UCLA will not have a chance. The Bruins must also look to exploit UConn’s ballhandling woes — the Huskies have dedicated 79 turnovers of their previous six video games — particularly if Silas Demary Jr. is out once more. — Myron Medcalf
How Iowa gained: Iowa took a 12-4 lead and by no means gave it up, marking the primary sport this season that Clemson hasn’t led at any level. The Hawkeyes’ edge got here on the boards, outrebounding the Tigers 40-27. Brad Brownell warned his workforce about rebounding earlier this week, notably with their high rebounder Carter Welling (5.4 RPG) out after struggling a torn ACL within the ACC event. Cam Manyawu was key within the win. He turned the third participant prior to now 60 years to have 10 rebounds with out making an attempt a shot from the sphere in an NCAA event sport, per ESPN Research. — ESPN Staff
Iowa’s second-round opponent: Florida
How the Hawkeyes can advance to the Sweet 16: On paper, Iowa is in for a tricky evening down low towards Florida. The Gators have one of the dominant frontcourts within the nation, rating second nationally in paint factors per sport and third in second-chance factors per sport. They additionally lead the nation in offensive rebounds per sport. Iowa does not block pictures and permits opponents to shoot 56.5% contained in the arc in Big Ten play, however the Hawkeyes performed a frontcourt with comparable measurement and talent after they confronted Michigan earlier this month. And although they misplaced, they held their very own up entrance, outscoring the Wolverines within the paint and scoring more second-chance factors. Can the Hawkeyes repeat the feat towards Florida? Iowa may even have to get the sport at its most well-liked tempo, one of many slowest within the nation, forcing the Gators to play within the halfcourt more than they want. — Jeff Borzello
How St. John’s gained: Northern Iowa lower its deficit to 13 factors within the second half, however St. John’s was by no means in peril. By the time the buzzer sounded, the Red Storm had dispatched the Panthers. St. John’s slowed down within the second half (scoring solely 32 factors after placing up 47 within the first), but it surely dominated in every facet — particularly on the glass, the place it outrebounded the Panthers 45-29. The Johnnies’ protection was predictably suffocating, holding NIU to 39% taking pictures from the sphere and solely 3-of-14 from deep. Next up for Rick Pitino and Co.? A possible blockbuster matchup towards Kansas and Bill Self in the event that they get by Cal Baptist. — Paolo Uggetti
St. John’s second-round opponent: Kansas
How the Red Storm can advance to the Sweet 16: The greatest edge St. John’s may have towards Kansas is on the offensive glass. The Red Storm are one of the efficient offensive rebounding groups within the nation, rating seventeenth nationally in second-chance factors per sport. Kansas, in the meantime, was one of many worst defensive rebounding groups within the Big 12, permitting opponents to rebound almost 32% of their misses. Zuby Ejiofor and Dillon Mitchell ought to get further possessions for the Red Storm. With the exception of the drubbing at UConn in late February, St. John’s protection has been working at an extremely excessive stage for a number of weeks. The Red Storm have allowed their previous 5 opponents to make a mean of simply 3.4 3-pointers per sport. — Jeff Borzello
How Purdue gained: An skilled backcourt can take a workforce a great distance in March, and Purdue’s Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer confirmed they’re as stable because it will get. Smith had 26 factors and eight assists towards Queens University. Loyer had 14 factors on 4-of-8 taking pictures from behind the arc. Both have performed 4 seasons for coach Matt Painter and the Boilermakers, and that helps, too: The guard duo was important in Purdue’s deep run in 2024 that fell simply in need of a nationwide championship. If this yr’s group goes to have the same run, it will likely be due to the 2 guys who’ve began all 146 video games of their collegiate careers. — Ben Baby
Purdue’s second-round opponent: Miami
How the Boilermakers can advance to the Sweet 16: Purdue can win if Braden Smith (26 factors, 8 assists towards Queens) controls the tempo of the matchup and its frontcourt will get the higher hand over Miami’s frontcourt. Over the previous 5 video games, Trey Kaufman-Renn (25 factors, 9 rebounds, 3 assists) has averaged 17.4 factors and seven.4 rebounds. That inside-outside risk was the catalyst for a run to the Big Ten event title sport. Add Fletcher Loyer‘s sharpshooting, and the Boilermakers can beat anybody — they are a powerful workforce to stall with their measurement inside and Smith’s capability to dictate the movement of any sport. In their final loss this season, Wisconsin made 18 3-pointers. Miami does not current the same risk on this matchup. — Myron Medcalf
How Tennessee gained: “He missed one. Thank God.” That was a Miami (Ohio) fan’s response to a uncommon misfire by Ja’Kobi Gillespie in Tennessee’s convincing win. Gillespie took care of the majority of the scoring (29 factors), and the Volunteers dealt with their enterprise on the boards (42-25) and on protection, limiting the RedHawks to simply 35% taking pictures. Miami senior guard Peter Suder poured in 27 factors, probably the most since Wally Szczerbiak in 1999, however nobody else on the workforce reached double digits. — Tim McManus
Tennessee’s second-round opponent: Virginia
How the Volunteers can advance to the Sweet 16: Rick Barnes’ workforce ended Miami (Ohio)’s fairy story Friday. The Volunteers outscored Travis Steele’s squad 40-16 within the paint to advance — and so they did it regardless of projected NBA draft lottery decide Nate Ament going 0-for-3 within the sport. The Vols will want Ament to look more just like the participant who scored 27 factors in an SEC event win over Auburn to attain the Sweet 16. Ja’Kobi Gillespie continues to make this group soar. If he will get to his spots, Ament performs to his potential and the Vols dominate the offensive glass, they’ll have the offensive instruments to win. But almost 50% of Virginia’s subject objective makes an attempt are 3-pointers, and the Cavaliers are a top-10 offensive rebounding workforce. They can play Tennessee’s sport, too. The Vols may have to play it higher. — Myron Medcalf
How Utah State gained: In quick, MJ Collins Jr. Down 10 factors to Villanova early within the second half, the Aggies caught to their sport plan, attacked the paint and acquired to the free throw line, ending with 37 makes an attempt. They tied the rating with 3:56 left, and that is when Collins took over. The senior guard scored 9 factors as a part of a 14-1 Utah State run, together with an acrobatic, behind-the-back three-point play, in addition to a key steal and dunk that capped the victory. — Paolo Uggetti
Utah State’s second-round opponent: Arizona
How the Aggies can advance to the Sweet 16: Utah State will want one other clutch effort from MJ Collins Jr. and Mason Falslev — among the finest guard duos in America who mixed for 42 factors towards Villanova — to advance previous Arizona, a workforce with simply two losses. In the second half of Friday’s sport, the pair acquired scorching thanks partly due to off-ball screens and backdoor cuts to the basket. They have to discover their spots to have a chance towards Arizona, too. On protection, the Aggies might observe two blueprints towards Arizona: Kansas refused to relent to Arizona’s bruising frontcourt, and Texas Tech wanted a mixture of 31 factors from JT Toppin and perimeter strain that held the Wildcats to a 4-for-16 clip from 3. But the Wildcats are various, so Utah State will want 6-foot-10 Zach Keller and 6-foot-9 Adlan Elamin to shield the paint. The Aggies may even want their guards to restrict an Arizona workforce that has been scorching from past the arc in current weeks. — Myron Medcalf
How Alabama gained: Without their second-leading scorer and greatest 3-point shooter, Aden Holloway, who was arrested Monday on a felony drug charge, the Crimson Tide had been pressured to depend on sophomore guard Labaron Philon Jr. He responded with 29 factors, eight rebounds and 7 assists within the 20-point victory. The Pride didn’t go quietly, although. Freshman guard Preston Edmead put up 24 factors, going 5-of-10 from behind the arc, with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. — Jenna Laine
Alabama’s second-round opponent: Texas Tech
How the Crimson Tide can advance to the Sweet 16: Similar to Tech’s keys, Alabama has to win the perimeter battle. The Crimson Tide shoot the ball at an unbelievable quantity from past the arc, however usually are not fairly as correct because the Red Raiders — and the Tide have misplaced 4 of the six video games during which they’ve made fewer than 10 3s. Moreover, Alabama’s 3-point protection is way worse than Texas Tech’s 3-point protection. Without Aden Holloway, Alabama has fewer gamers who can get their very own shot off the dribble, making the Crimson Tide more reliant on Labaron Philon Jr. to have one other massive sport. As one of many elite playmakers and shotmakers within the sport, Philon is probably going up for the duty. But he’ll be dealing with a fellow All-American and first-round decide in Christian Anderson. Who wins that matchup? That’s the important thing. — Jeff Borzello
How Iowa State gained: Take your decide from any variety of ways in which Iowa State rolled Tennessee State. The Cyclones dominated in just about every class, although the discrepancy on the glass was notably notable. At one level late within the second half, Iowa State had more offensive rebounds than Tennessee State had defensive rebounds. Another telling stat: Iowa State scored the sport’s first 45 bench factors. Looking forward to Sunday’s sport towards Kentucky, that depth could possibly be the distinction given how reliant the Wildcats had been on Otega Oweh of their dramatic first-round win. That depth may also be wanted if Joshua Jefferson stays out with a left leg damage — he left early within the first half and finally sat out the remainder of the sport with a boot. — Ben Baby
Iowa’s State’s second-round opponent: Kentucky
How the Cyclones can advance to the Sweet 16: A miraculous restoration for Joshua Jefferson would assist, however his availability is unclear after he was helped to the locker room following a decrease leg damage and was later proven in a boot. The Cyclones are 21.8 factors per 100 possessions higher with Jefferson on the ground, in accordance to CBB Analytics. Even with out him, although, Iowa State has sufficient to beat Kentucky. The Cyclones have the person perimeter defenders to decelerate the trio of Oweh, Collin Chandler and Denzel Aberdeen — notably Tamin Lipsey and Killyan Toure — and will have success forcing turnovers. Kentucky additionally does not have a solution for Milan Momcilovic, who has a case to make as the most effective shooter within the nation and stands at 6-foot-8. The Wildcats will doubtless have to guard him with 6-4 Oweh or 6-5 Chandler, so Momcilovic ought to have the sting there. Without Jefferson, TJ Otzelberger might choose to go along with a smaller lineup that options Momcilovic on the 4, which could create a harder particular person matchup however would additionally area out the Kentucky protection and take away a few of its shot-blockers from the paint. — Jeff Borzello
How Virginia gained: Virginia escaped a scare and superior to the second spherical thanks to a come-from-behind win. Senior guard Jacari White took over down the stretch, scoring 15 of his season-high 26 factors within the second half, and drew the Raiders’ consideration to create simple baskets for his teammates. His 26 factors are probably the most by a Virginia participant in an NCAA event sport since De’Andre Hunter had 27 within the 2019 championship sport towards Texas Tech, per ESPN Research. White’s six made 3-pointers additionally tied London Perrantes (2016 Elite Eight) for probably the most by a Virginia participant in an NCAA event sport. — Tim McManus
Virginia’s second-round opponent: Tennessee
How the Cavaliers can advance to the Sweet 16: This is not Tony Bennett’s workforce anymore. The Cavaliers knock down 3s and likewise rating with a rugged sport within the paint. They even have a top-25 protection. They’ll want all of these instruments towards Tennessee, which is No. 1 within the nation in offensive rebounding fee. They cannot enable the Vols to dominate with second-chance factors, and the Cavaliers are outfitted to do this thanks to a top-five protection contained in the arc. They’ll even have to restrict the touches of projected NBA draft lottery decide Nate Ament. Tennessee is 2-3 in its previous 5 video games when he shoots 9 or fewer pictures contained in the arc. They even have to strain Ja’Kobi Gillespie (11 turnovers prior to now 4 losses). The Cavaliers’ 3-point barrage should proceed after Virginia made 13 towards Wright State. The Cavaliers most likely cannot win and not using a massive sport from Thijs De Ridder, however they’ll wrestle in the event that they go chilly from the 3-point line. — Myron Medcalf
How Arizona gained: Arizona’s first-round matchup towards 16-seeded Long Island proved to be a tepid warmup for the Wildcats, who dominated every aspect of the sport throughout a commanding victory. Their measurement is putting, and so they used it to their benefit, outrebounding the Sharks 52-31 and scoring 50 factors within the paint whereas including 10 blocks. Ivan Kharchenkov had 14 factors and 10 rebounds. And freshman Brayden Burries led all scorers with 18 factors on 4-of-5 taking pictures from 3. It was the perfect begin for a workforce with hopes (and expectations) for a deep event run. — Paolo Uggetti
Arizona’s second-round opponent: Utah State
How the Wildcats can advance to the Sweet 16: Arizona does not have to tweak something to its sport plan to attain its third consecutive Sweet 16. Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley scored simply seven factors towards LIU on Friday, and the Wildcats nonetheless put up 92 factors. If they proceed to depend on that depth, they will be tough to cease; 5 Arizona gamers scored a minimum of eight factors within the win over Long Island. Plus, the Wildcats, who’ve been criticized after making simply 33% of their 3-point makes an attempt in Big 12 play, have made 39% of their pictures from past the arc over their present 10-game profitable streak. They’re totally different now. To cease Utah State’s offense, Arizona may have to defend nicely towards quite a few ball screens that put MJ Collins and Mason Falslev in positions to rating. The Aggies will most likely assault 7-foot-2 Arizona middle Motiejus Krivas more than anybody else on these ball screens, and try to use their pace to arrange massive performs for his or her high guards. Utah State will want a magical effort to beat Arizona. — Myron Medcalf
How Texas Tech gained: Akron trimmed its deficit to 4 factors halfway by the second half, however Texas Tech — taking part in with out All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin — shot higher than 75% within the second half to run away with it. (Forward LeJuan Watts, who led with six rebounds, additionally fouled out with underneath 10 minutes to go.) Freshman guard Jaylen Petty put up a career-best 24 factors (5-of-7 from 3), and the Raiders held the Zips’ top-10 scoring offense that had averaged 88.4 factors per sport in the course of the common season to simply 71 factors. — Jenna Laine
Texas Tech’s second-round opponent: Alabama
How the Red Raiders can advance to the Sweet 16: Texas Tech is likely one of the few groups in America that may sustain with Alabama from the perimeter. Though the Crimson Tide lead the nation in 3-point try fee and made 3-pointers per sport, the Red Raiders aren’t far behind — they’re third nationally in 3-point taking pictures proportion and fifth in made 3-pointers per sport. They’ve leaned into it even more since JT Toppin suffered a season-ending proper knee damage, with a 3-point try fee above 51% in 4 of its previous 5 video games. At the opposite finish, can Tech hold Labaron Philon Jr. from moving into the lane at will? He is a bit greater than Christian Anderson, however Donovan Atwell has proven promise as a person defender and will draw the project. — Jeff Borzello
How Kentucky gained: Add what Otega Oweh did to the listing of nice performances in Kentucky’s event historical past. Oweh scored a career-high 35 factors to ship the 7-seed Wildcats to the subsequent spherical. Oweh’s midcourt prayer that banked by the online on the buzzer despatched the sport into additional time and helped the Wildcats keep away from the upset. Oweh fueled Kentucky’s offense and held off a balanced Santa Clara assault that was led by Elijah Mahi and Allen Graves. Graves thought he had the sport winner with two seconds left. But Oweh made positive he and the Wildcats had the final phrase. — Ben Baby
Kentucky’s second-round opponent: Iowa State
How the Wildcats can advance to the Sweet 16: It begins with taking good care of the ball. Iowa State thrives when it might probably pressure turnovers and get out in transition for simple baskets. The Cyclones are fourth within the nation in defensive turnover proportion and in factors off turnovers per sport. Kentucky was twelfth within the SEC in turnover proportion, though the Wildcats have tightened issues up these days, giving it away simply 46 instances of their final 5 video games. Still, they’ve had points towards groups making use of aggressive ball strain, together with towards Vanderbilt and Texas A&M, probably the most turnover-prone defenses within the SEC. They may even want to make pictures from the perimeter — they shoot higher than 37% from 3 in wins in contrast to simply 29% in losses. Iowa State can guard the three, however Kentucky’s trio of Otega Oweh, Denzel Aberdeen and Collin Chandler have to get going. — Jeff Borzello
