{"id":567441,"date":"2026-03-27T08:42:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T08:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/567441\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T08:42:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T08:42:14","slug":"march-madness-sweet-sixteen-day-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/567441\/","title":{"rendered":"March Madness Sweet Sixteen, Day 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Trey Kaufman-Renn tipped in the game-winning basket to lead Purdue over Texas and into the Elite Eight.<\/p>\n

What we know about Thursday\u2019s Sweet Sixteen games:<\/p>\n

We opened with a pair of close contests, as Trey Kaufman-Renn (20 pts, 8 reb) tipped in the game-winner to help Purdue defeat Texas 79-77, while Iowa took control late to dispatch Nebraska 77-71.
\nIn the second half of the evening, Illinois locked Houston down 65-55 and Arizona outpaced Arkansas 109-88.
\nCheck out our recaps of every NCAA Tournament game here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

MARCH 27 \/ 12:29 ET<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Koa Peat and Arizona shared the ball and dominated an offensive showcase to defeat Arkansas and advance to the Elite Eight.<\/p>\n

Arizona had six players score 14+ points, led by Brayden Burries (23 pts on 7-of-11 shooting), and shot 64% from the field as they defeated Arkansas 109-88.<\/p>\n

It was the first time since 1997 that six players scored in double figures for a team in a single game.<\/p>\n

It’s ALL @ArizonaMBB<\/a> so far in the second half \ud83e\udd2f#MarchMadness<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/d7YeI5QbBm<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m having the most fun in my life,\u201d said Koa Peat (21 pts on 8-of-11 shooting). \u201cI love these guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are complete. They play inside-out. They don\u2019t take bad shots,\u201d said Charles Barkley. \u201cYou can\u2019t run up and down the court with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Darius Acuff Jr. (28 pts) was the top man for the Razorbacks.<\/p>\n

Arizona last advanced to the Elite Eight in 2015.<\/p>\n

This is the 12th time in program history that Arizona has advanced to the Elite Eight and the first under Tommy Lloyd.<\/p>\n

MARCH 27 \/ 12:20 ET<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Jake Davis, David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojakovic, Keaton Wagler and their Illinois teammates are advancing to the Elite Eight.<\/p>\n

David Mirkovic (14 pts), Keaton Wagler (13 pts) and Andrej Stojakovic (13 pts) carried the Fighting Illini into the Elite Eight 65-55.<\/p>\n

Illinois held Houston to 34% shooting from the field, taking control despite the Cougars taking 13 more shots on the night (64 to 51).<\/p>\n

HUGE threes from the Illini \ud83d\udc40#MarchMadness<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/YRuP7kz5NP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Illinois last advanced to the Elite Eight in 2024, when they fell to UConn.<\/p>\n

In this millennium, they had two other classic runs \u2014 2005, behind the backcourt of Deron Williams, Dee Brown and Luther Head, and 2001, led by Frank Williams and Brian Cook.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the 11th time in school history that they\u2019ve advanced to this stage of the tournament.<\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 11:36 ET<\/p>\n

A 17-0 run for Illinois<\/p>\n

To take a 44-26 lead with 11:52 to go in the second half.<\/p>\n

What an effort from the Fighting Illini, who have caught fire against Houston.<\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 11:20 ET<\/p>\n

A taste of the physicality<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are bodies everywhere \u2014 carnage,\u201d Robbie Hummel just said of the action in Illinois-Houston. It\u2019s been a battle all night.<\/p>\n

The Fighting Illini have opened the half on a 9-2 run to take a 33-26 lead.<\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 11:09 ET<\/p>\n

Illinois grinds out lead over Houston<\/p>\n

24-22, as both teams battle to find their shooting stroke.<\/p>\n

Illinois put together a 10-2 late in the half to take the lead, but Kingston Flemings (7 pts) brought Houston back at the buzzer.<\/p>\n

It was the lowest-scoring half of the tournament so far.<\/p>\n

Kingston Flemings beats the halftime buzzer \ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n

Gritty one in Houston \ud83d\ude2c#MarchMadness<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/mXdPJXLFkZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 11:03 ET<\/p>\n

Arizona runs out to early lead
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

Jaden Bradley and Arizona are up on Darius Acuff Jr. and Arkansas at the half of their Sweet Sixteen contest.<\/p>\n

54-43, with Ivan Kharchenkov (11 pts, 3 ast) and Motiejus Krivas (10 pts, 5 reb) leading the way. The Wildcats are shooting 64% from the field and 15-of-17 (88%) from the free throw line.<\/p>\n

Darius Acuff Jr., the fourth-leading scorer in the nation during the regular season, has 11 for the Razorbacks.<\/p>\n

Jaden Bradley off glass \ud83d\ude2e\u200d\ud83d\udca8#MarchMadness<\/a> @ArizonaMBB<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/S5GC4ZrJ5X<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 10:41 ET<\/p>\n

Arizona hot early against Arkansas<\/p>\n

38-27 with 5:47 to go in the first half, as the Wildcats are shooting 67% from the field.<\/p>\n

They\u2019ve got a 20-14 lead in fast break points in a contest of two teams that thrive on the run<\/a>.<\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 10:27 ET<\/p>\n

Illinois and Houston in a defensive struggle<\/p>\n

12-10 Illinois with 10:00 to go in the first half, as these teams go head-to-head in a physical battle.<\/p>\n

Houston, playing close to home in the Toyota Center, is characterized by their pressure defense. Illinois (84.7 ppg in the regular season, 17th in the nation) was one of the highest-scoring teams in the country.<\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 9:33 ET<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Trey Kaufman-Renn spurred Purdue to the Elite Eight with this tip-in against Texas.<\/p>\n

Trey Kaufman-Renn (20 pts, 8 reb) tipped in the game-winning field goal with 0.7 seconds remaining, lifting the Purdue Boilermakers to the Elite Eight over Texas in a thriller.<\/p>\n

TREY KAUFMAN-RENN GAME-WINNER \ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n

PURDUE ADVANCES TO THE ELITE 8 \ud83e\udd2f pic.twitter.com\/CYj7ltsGXT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have so much experience with these guys\u2026 It\u2019s our job to make big plays in big moments,\u201d said Kaufman-Renn, noting the love his teammates have for one another. \u201cI don\u2019t feel like we had any nerves. That\u2019s a really good team we just played. Stuck to our game plan, pulled it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fletcher Loyer (18 pts) and Braden Smith (16 pts) were difference-makers out of the backcourt for Purdue.<\/p>\n

Tramon Mark (29 pts) was valiant for Texas in defeat.<\/p>\n

The Longhorns outshot the Boilermakers from deep (11-of-25, 44% to 4-of-20, 20%) but gave it back at the free throw line (8-of-15, 53% to 15-of-20, 75%). Purdue also had 22 second-chance points during the contest.<\/p>\n

Purdue last went to the Elite Eight in 2024, when they advanced to the National Championship game, falling to UConn. This is the seventh time in program history they\u2019ve made it this far.<\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 9:28 ET<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Alvaro Folgueiras and Iowa defeated Nebraska to head to the Elite Eight.<\/p>\n

The Hawkeyes took control in the last few minutes to win 77-71, as Bennett Stirtz (20 pts) led coach Ben McCollum\u2019s Iowa squad into the Elite Eight, overcoming Pryce Sandfort (25 pts) and Nebraska.<\/p>\n

FOLGUEIRAS CATCHES THEM OFF GUARD \ud83d\ude33<\/p>\n

Nebraska only had 4 defenders on the floor. pic.twitter.com\/6ayu6HjMiB<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Iowa outshot Nebraska, knocking down 52% of their field goals, and going 13-of-30 (43%) from 3-point range to overcome the Cornhuskers\u2019 52-43 advantage on the glass.<\/p>\n

Tate Sage (19 pts) and Alvaro Folgueiras (16 pts) were huge off the bench for the Hawkeyes.<\/p>\n

The 1987 Iowa Hawkeyes featured a number of future NBA players, including B.J. Armstrong, Kevin Gamble and Brad Lohaus.<\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 9:19 ET<\/p>\n

Iowa and Nebraska dueling as well<\/p>\n

65-all with 2:41 to go in Houston, as the first two games of the Sweet 16 turn into thrillers.<\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 9:06 ET<\/p>\n

Texas and Purdue going down to the wire<\/p>\n

70-all with just over four minutes to go in San Jose.<\/p>\n

Nine ties and 15 lead changes so far \u2014 the game hangs in the balance.<\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 8:30 ET<\/p>\n

Nebraska leads Iowa
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

Bennett Stirtz and Iowa are trailing at the half, as Pryce Sandford and Nebraska have earned a small lead.<\/p>\n

46-43 at the break. Bennett Stirtz (10 pts) is going off once again for the Hawkeyes, but Nebraska\u2019s controlled the glass and Pryce Sandfort (11 pts on four shots) has paced them in scoring.<\/p>\n

We’ve got a good one in Houston \ud83c\udf7f<\/p>\n

Iowa beats the buzzer to cut the lead to 3 at halftime \ud83d\udc40#MarchMadness<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ZhSu1cjVP0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 7:45 ET<\/p>\n

Purdue up at the half
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

Fletcher Loyer and Purdue are leading at the half over Texas.<\/p>\n

39-35 over Texas. Fletcher Loyer (13 pts, 3 3PM) got off to a hot start for the Boilermakers, while Tramon Mark (12 pts) nearly matched him for Texas.<\/p>\n

Fletcher frees up off the double screen \ud83c\udfaf#MarchMadness<\/a> @BoilerBall<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/7vH2KN3fam<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 6:30 ET<\/p>\n

A key to watch for each of tonight\u2019s contests
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

Braden Smith, who recently became the Men\u2019s NCAA Division I all-time assist leader, will lead the Boilermakers against the Longhorns in the opening contest of the night.<\/p>\n

No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 11 Texas, 7:10 ET (CBS)<\/p>\n

Purdue point guard Braden Smith recently set the all-time NCAA career record for assists (1,083), leading the Boilermakers to the best offensive rating in the nation in the regular season (131.9). Can Texas disrupt his rhythm?<\/p>\n

No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Iowa, 7:30 ET (TBS \/ truTV)<\/p>\n

These rivals split their season series 1-1 and advanced to the Sweet 16 with clutch heroics \u2014 Alvaro Folgueiras\u2019s corner 3-pointer<\/a> to lift Iowa, Braden Frager\u2019s slashing layup<\/a> to win it for Nebraska.<\/p>\n

Can Nebraska break Iowa\u2019s defense, which was the best in the Big Ten?<\/p>\n

They shot 5-of-24 (20.8%) from 3-point range in the first game of the season series, a 57-52 loss, but went 10-of-27 (37%) in the second, a 84-75 win. Their season average from deep was 35.5%.<\/p>\n

No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 4 Arkansas, 9:45 ET (CBS)<\/p>\n

Which team will thrive in transition? Both can run. Arkansas had the second-most fast break points per game in the country (19.03) while Arizona was 20th (14.97).<\/p>\n

No. 2 Houston vs. No. 3 Illinois, 10:05 ET (TBS \/ truTV)<\/p>\n

This will be a de facto home game for Houston, as it\u2019ll be held in the Toyota Center, home of the NBA\u2019s Houston Rockets. Can the Fighting Illini handle the Cougars\u2019 pressure defense and the roar of the crowd?<\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 6 ET<\/p>\n

Get tapped in for tonight\u2019s action<\/p>\n

With the CBS Sports HQ crew.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

MARCH 26 \/ 5:30 ET<\/p>\n

Welcome to the Sweet 16!
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

The Sweet Sixteen tips off tonight on CBS, TBS and truTV.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s one of the great nights on the college basketball calendar, as eight of the best teams in the nation square off with hopes of surviving and advancing in the 2026 NCAA Men\u2019s Basketball Tournament.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the complete schedule:<\/p>\n

No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 11 Texas, 7:10 ET (CBS)
\nNo. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Iowa, 7:30 ET (TBS \/ truTV)
\nNo. 1 Arizona vs. No. 4 Arkansas, 9:45 ET (CBS)
\nNo. 2 Houston vs. No. 3 Illinois, 10:05 ET (TBS \/ truTV)<\/p>\n