{"id":569278,"date":"2026-03-28T04:51:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T04:51:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/569278\/"},"modified":"2026-03-28T04:51:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T04:51:20","slug":"march-madness-sweet-sixteen-day-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/569278\/","title":{"rendered":"March Madness, Sweet Sixteen, Day 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2130099\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2130099\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2268712886.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2130099\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tarris Reeves Jr. and UConn defeated Michigan State to advance to Elite Eight.<\/p>\n<p>What we know about Friday\u2019s Sweet Sixteen games:<\/p>\n<p>Duke\u2019s on to the Elite Eight after defeating St. John\u2019s 80-75 behind Isaiah Evers (25 pts) and Cameron Boozer (20 pts, 10 reb).<br \/>\nMichigan defeated Alabama 90-77 to advance, led by Yaxel Lendeborg (23 pts, 12 reb, 7 ast).<br \/>\nUConn defeated Michigan State 67-63 as Tarris Reed Jr. (20 pts, 5 reb, 2 blk) showed out again.<br \/>\nNo. 6 Tennessee is now facing No. 2 Iowa State at 10:30 ET on TBS and truTV.<br \/>\nCheck out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/news\/category\/2026-ncaa-tournament\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">our recaps of every NCAA Tournament game here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 12:16 ET<\/p>\n<p>UConn heads on to the Elite Eight<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2130191\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2130191\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2268706267.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2130191\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Alex Karaban and the Huskies defeated the Spartans to advance to the Elite Eight.<\/p>\n<p>The Huskies defeated Michigan State 67-63 in a close battle, led by Tarris Reed Jr. (20 pts, 5 reb, 2 blk) and Alex Karaban (17 pts, 7 reb, 2 blk).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe were tough,\u201d said Coach Dan Hurley.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI love these guys so much,\u201d said Karaban. \u201cI\u2019m glad we stuck together against a really tough team.\u201d<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">KARABAN FROM WAY DEEP \ud83c\udfaf<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">#MarchMadness<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UConnMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">@UConnMBB<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/GWgReHuhET\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/GWgReHuhET<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarchMadnessMBB\/status\/2037742281755615283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>This is the 13th time that UConn has advanced to the Elite Eight, most recently in 2023 and 2024, when they won back-to-back national championships.<\/p>\n<p>Carson Cooper (14 pts) led four Spartans in double figures.<\/p>\n<p>MARCH 28, 2026 \/ 12:01 ET<\/p>\n<p>Michigan State-UConn going down to the wire<\/p>\n<p>58-57 with 1:58 to go on CBS. Catch the finish!<\/p>\n<p>MARCH 27, 2026 \/ 11:05 ET<\/p>\n<p>Tennessee up on Iowa State<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2130090\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2130090\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2268713116.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"714\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2130090\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Iowa State and Tennessee are in a close one at the half.<\/p>\n<p>34-33, as Felix Okpara (10 pts, 8 reb) nearly put up a double-double for the Volunteers.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">WHAT A SEQUENCE \ud83e\udd2f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4PSwqfdUzM\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/4PSwqfdUzM<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarchMadnessMBB\/status\/2037731698381586717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nate Heise (14 pts) is going off for the Cyclones.<\/p>\n<p>MARCH 27, 2026 \/ 10:55 ET<\/p>\n<p>UConn leads at the half<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2130018\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2130018\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2268710277.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2130018\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tarris Reed Jr. and UConn are up at the half on CBS.<\/p>\n<p>35-27, as Tarris Reed Jr. (8 pts) led the way for Dan Hurley\u2019s squad.<\/p>\n<p>Michigan State closed on a 9-2 to cut into the Connecticut lead, keeping the contest within reach.<\/p>\n<p>Jaxson Kohler (9 pts) is the top scorer for the Spartans.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">It&#8217;s been ALL Tarris Reed and the Huskies in the first half \ud83d\udcaa <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/IFEdv2uhOH\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/IFEdv2uhOH<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarchMadnessMBB\/status\/2037722379019841789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>MARCH 27, 2026 \/ 10:20 ET<\/p>\n<p>UConn running out early<\/p>\n<p>The Huskies are up 18-6 early over the Spartans, taking advantage of a 15-2 run.<\/p>\n<p>MARCH 27, 2026 \/ 10:04 ET<\/p>\n<p>Michigan beats Alabama<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2129637\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2129637\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2268703283.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2129637\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yaxel Lendeborg and the Michigan Wolverines are on to the Elite Eight after beating Alabama.<\/p>\n<p>The Wolverines win 90-77 to move on to the Elite Eight, led by Yaxel Lendeborg (23 pts, 12 reb, 7 ast) and their defense in the second half, when they held Alabama to 28 points.<\/p>\n<p>This is the 15th Elite Eight in Michigan history, and the first since 2021.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe still have another gear we can get to, or two gears,\u201d said Coach Dusty May. \u201cWe still have a ways to go.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Trey McKinney (17 pts) and Roddy Gayle Jr. (16 pts) were huge off the bench.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Yaxel getting busy off the screen \ud83d\udc40<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">#MarchMadness<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/umichbball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">@umichbball<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/OJ05GPaEVu\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/OJ05GPaEVu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarchMadnessMBB\/status\/2037698078380110143?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe believe we\u2019re the best team in the country,\u201d said Lendeborg. \u201cWe believe we can be the best Michigan team of all time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>MARCH 27, 2026 \/ 9:26 ET<\/p>\n<p>Duke advances to the Elite Eight<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2129493\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2129493\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2268703156.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2129493\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cameron Boozer and Duke are advancing to the Elite Eight after defeating St. John\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>The Blue Devils beat St. John\u2019s 80-75 behind Isaiah Evers (25 pts), Cameron Boozer (22 pts, 10 reb) and Caleb Foster (11 pts).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat was one of the most special performances I\u2019ve ever seen,\u201d said Coach Jon Scheyer of Foster, who suffered a fractured foot March 7 before returning tonight. \u201cThat\u2019s a leader right there, and a guy who came through for us when we needed it the most.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Duke also controlled the glass, 40-27, in taking the win.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">BIG bucket Caleb Foster \ud83d\ude24<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">#MarchMadness<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/GEvzC5DxBw\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/GEvzC5DxBw<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarchMadnessMBB\/status\/2037699524664173045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Zuby Ejiofor (17 pts) led the way for the Red Storm.<\/p>\n<p>This is the 26th time Duke has advanced to the Elite Eight in program history. In the last five years, they also made it to that stage in 2025, 2024 and 2022, which was Coach Mike Krzyzewski\u2019s final season.<\/p>\n<p>MARCH 27, 2026 \/ 9:08 ET<\/p>\n<p>St. John\u2019s-Duke going down to the wire<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCameron Boozer, meeting the moment!\u201d Ian Eagle exclaimed.<\/p>\n<p>72-69 Duke with 3:05 to go in the second half. Catch the finish on CBS!<\/p>\n<p>MARCH 27, 2026 \/ 8:43 ET<\/p>\n<p>Alabama leads Michigan<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2129372\" class=\"wp-image-2129372 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2268697914-Cropped-1568x882.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1568\" height=\"882\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2129372\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Labaron Philon Jr. and the Crimson Tide are up over the Wolverines at the half.<\/p>\n<p>49-47 at the break.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRebounding, staying locked in,\u201d said Labaron Philon Jr. (19 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast). \u201cThat\u2019s really it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Michigan\u2019s outshot Alabama from the field, 50% to 39%, but the Crimson Tide\u2019s made it up at the free throw line, going 10-of-10 from the stripe.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">All tied up AGAIN in Chicago \u203c\ufe0f<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">#MarchMadness<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AlabamaMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">@AlabamaMBB<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DP2QTkEfkh\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/DP2QTkEfkh<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarchMadnessMBB\/status\/2037691190674378769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>MARCH 27, 2026 \/ 8:05 ET<\/p>\n<p>St. John\u2019s up at the half<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2129177\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2129177\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2268696539.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2129177\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ruben Prey (9 pts) is leading the way for St. John\u2019s at the half.<\/p>\n<p>40-39, behind 9 3-pointers, including three from Ruben Prey (9 pts on 3-of-3 shooting).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cStepping up with confidence and knocking it down,\u201d said Zuby Ejiofor (7 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast). \u201cWe\u2019re on a good run right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Isaiah Evans (11 pts) is the top man for the Blue Devils so far.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">St. John&#8217;s hits ANOTHER triple to take the lead into the break \ud83d\udc40<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">#MarchMadness<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/YK50zFYsGo\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/YK50zFYsGo<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarchMadnessMBB\/status\/2037682614656524695?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>MARCH 27, 2026 \/ 6:00 ET<\/p>\n<p>A key to each of tonight\u2019s games<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2128913\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2128913\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2262041315.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2128913\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Caleb Foster is back tonight for the Blue Devils as they take on the Red Storm of St. John\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>No. 5 St. John\u2019s vs. No. 1 Duke, 7:10 ET (CBS)<\/p>\n<p>Junior guard Caleb Foster (8.5 ppg) is back tonight for the Blue Devils as they prepare to face Rick Pitino and St. John\u2019s full court press. Foster (2.8 apg) was 18th in the ACC in assists per game during the regular season.<\/p>\n<p>No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Michigan, 7:35 ET (TBS \/ truTV)<\/p>\n<p>Michigan\u2019s one of the top teams in the tournament, posting a +37.86 net rating in the regular season \u2014 second in the nation to Arizona. Alabama made 19 3-pointers in their victory over Texas Tech to get here.<\/p>\n<p>Watch to see if Coach Nate Oats\u2019 guard-focused offense can find a dent in the Wolverines machine and drive their long-range barrage.<\/p>\n<p>No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 2 UConn, 9:45 ET (CBS)<\/p>\n<p>This is an elite coaching duel, as Tom Izzo takes on Dan Hurley. Izzo\u2019s won one National Championship in eight Final Four appearances, while Hurley\u2019s cut down the nets in each of his Final Four runs.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll see if Michigan State can turn the game into a grind or if UConn can liven things up.<\/p>\n<p>No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 2 Iowa State, 10:10 ET (TBS \/ truTV)<\/p>\n<p>Iowa State had the fifth-best defense in the country by defensive rating (92.5), while Tennessee was 14th (94.7). Who will maintain control tonight?<\/p>\n<p>MARCH 27, 2026 \/ 5:45 ET<\/p>\n<p>Tap in for tonight\u2019s action<\/p>\n<p>With the CBS Sports HQ crew.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>MARCH 27, 2026 \/ 5:30 ET<\/p>\n<p>Welcome to Day 2 of the Sweet Sixteen!<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2127338\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2127338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2268353208.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2127338\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Welcome to Day 2 of the Sweet Sixteen! The 2026 NCAA Tournament continues tonight on CBS, TBS and truTV.<\/p>\n<p>Coming to you live from the United Center in Chicago and the Capital One Center in Washington D.C., it\u2019s night two of the Sweet Sixteen, as the 2026 Division I Men\u2019s Basketball Tournament rolls on towards the Elite Eight.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s the complete schedule:<\/p>\n<p>No. 5 St. John\u2019s vs. No. 1 Duke, 7:10 ET (CBS)<br \/>\nNo. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Michigan, 7:35 ET (TBS \/ truTV)<br \/>\nNo. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 2 UConn, 9:45 ET (CBS)<br \/>\nNo. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 2 Iowa State, 10:10 ET (TBS \/ truTV)<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Tarris Reeves Jr. and UConn defeated Michigan State to advance to Elite Eight. What we know about Friday\u2019s&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":569279,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[574],"tags":[3368,64,63,726,90853,8434,8440,2866,1534,85,4123,279204,973,2277],"class_list":["post-569278","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-basketball","tag-alabama","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-basketball","tag-duke","tag-iowa-state","tag-michigan","tag-michigan-state","tag-ncaa-tournament","tag-sports","tag-st-johns","tag-sweet-sixteen","tag-tennessee","tag-uconn"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/569278","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=569278"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/569278\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/569279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=569278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=569278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=569278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}