The path to the Sweet 16 did not flip everything. It created a balanced field. The biggest moments came late. St. John’s reached its first Sweet 16 since 1999 with a last second win over Kansas. Dylan Darling hit a buzzer beating layup. It was his only field goal of the game. Iowa followed with its own moment. Alvaro Folgueiras hit a clutch three in the final seconds. That shot knocked out defending champion Florida. It also sent Iowa to the second weekend for the first time in over twenty years. These plays did more than win games. They changed the bracket.
The Top Seeds Hold Their Ground
The top of the bracket is still strong. Three No. 1 seeds remain. Duke, Arizona and Michigan are still alive. Every No. 2 seed also advanced. Houston, Iowa State, Purdue and UConn are all in. That suggests a clear Final Four path. However, none of these teams look perfect. Each one has been tested. That matters now. The pressure is only getting higher.
The Value of the Underdog
There is still room for lower seeds. No. 11 Texas kept the streak alive. A double digit seed has reached the Sweet 16 every year since 2008. That is not luck. It is part of the tournament. Texas now carries that role, but they are not alone. Iowa and St. John’s have shown the same edge. They can close games. They can handle pressure. Seeding does not tell the full story anymore.
Sweet 16 Schedule
Thursday, March 26
- Purdue vs. Texas 7:10 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Nebraska vs. Iowa 7:30 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV)
- Arizona vs. Arkansas 9:45 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Houston vs. Illinois 10:05 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV)
Friday, March 27
- Duke vs. St. John’s 7:10 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Michigan vs. Alabama 7:35 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV)
- UConn vs. Michigan State 9:45 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Iowa State vs. Tennessee 10:10 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV)
This round brings strong matchups. Purdue faces Texas in a test of size and control. Iowa plays Nebraska for their spot in the Elite Eight. Arizona meets Arkansas in what should be a fast paced matchup. Houston and Illinois could be the most physical game. Duke faces St. John’s in a clear contrast. Michigan takes on Alabama. UConn meets Michigan State. Iowa State closes against Tennessee. Every game feels different. No matchup looks simple.
What Comes Next
The tournament tightens. The early rounds are about survival. Now it is about proof. The top seeds still have position. But they face teams that believe they belong. The margin for error is small. Every possession matters. This round starts to show who can finish the run on the road to the Final Four!
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