The excitement of the 2026 NCAA Tournament has intensified, with the conclusion of the second round on Sunday. Sixteen teams remain in contention, all vying for the coveted national title.
No. 1 seed Michigan showcased its strength, overpowering No. 9 seed St. Louis with a decisive 95-72 victory. Meanwhile, in-state rival and No. 3 seed Michigan State secured its next round position by defeating No. 6 seed Louisville 77-69.
No. 1 overall seed Duke continued to impress with a commanding 81-58 win against No. 9 seed TCU. On their path to the next stage, No. 2 seed Houston triumphed over in-state rival and No. 10 seed Texas A&M, finishing strong at 88-57. Remarkably, No. 11 seed Texas remains the only double-digit seed after edging out Gonzaga in a nail-biter, 74-68.
In an electrifying matchup, Nebraska outlasted Vanderbilt in a thrilling back-and-forth game. No. 4 seed Arkansas maintained its momentum with a close 94-88 victory over No. 12 seed High Point.
2026 NCAA Tournament bracket, scores
All times Eastern
East
FIRST ROUND
Thursday, March 19 — Greenville
Thursday — Buffalo
Friday, March 20 — San Diego
Friday — Philadelphia
SECOND ROUND
Saturday, March 21 — Greenville
Saturday — Buffalo
Sunday, March 22 — San Diego
Sunday — Philadelphia
SWEET 16
Friday, March 25 — Washington, D.C.
- (5) St. John’s vs. (1) Duke | 7:10 p.m. | CBS
- (3) Michigan State vs. (2) UConn | 9:45 p.m. | CBS
West
FIRST FOUR
Tuesday, March 17 — Dayton
FIRST ROUND
Thursday, March 19 — Portland
Friday, March 20 — San Diego
Friday — St. Louis
SECOND ROUND
Saturday, March 20 — Portland
Sunday, March 21 — San Diego
Sunday — St. Louis
SWEET 16
Thursday, March 26 — San Jose
- (11) Texas vs. (2) Houston | 7:10 p.m. | CBS
- (4) Arkansas vs. (1) Arizona | 9:45 p.m. | CBS
Midwest
FIRST FOUR
Tuesday, March 17 — Dayton
Wednesday, March 18 — Dayton
FIRST ROUND
Thursday, March 19 — Buffalo
Friday, March 20– St. Louis
Friday — Tampa
Friday — Philadelphia
SECOND ROUND
Saturday, March 21 — Buffalo
Sunday, March 22 — St. Louis
Sunday — Tampa
Sunday — Philadelphia
SWEET 16
Friday, March 27 — Chicago
- (4) Alabama vs. (1) Michigan | 7:35 p.m. | TBS
- (6) Tennessee vs. (2) Iowa State | 10:10 p.m. | TBS
South
FIRST FOUR
Wednesday, March 18 — Dayton
FIRST ROUND
Thursday, March 19 — Oklahoma City
Thursday — Greenville
Thursday — Oklahoma City
Friday, March 20 — Tampa
SECOND ROUND
Saturday, March 21 — Greenville
Saturday — Oklahoma City
Sunday, March 22 — Tampa
SWEET 16
Thursday, March 26 — Houston
- (9) Iowa vs. (4) Nebraska | 7:30 p.m. | TBS
- (4) Arkansas vs. (1) Arizona | 10:05 p.m. | TBS
2026 NCAA Tournament schedule
Elite Eight
Saturday, March 28 — 6:09 p.m. start (TBS)
Toyota Center (Houston), SAP Center (San Jose)
Sunday, March 29 — 2:15 p.m. start (CBS)
United Center (Chicago), Capital One Arena (Washington, D.C.)
Final Four
Saturday, April 4 — 6:09 p.m. start (TBS)
Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)
National Championship
Monday, April 6 — 8:50 p.m. (TBS)
Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)
