All articles tagged with #sweet 16
St. John's and Rick Pitino have agreed to a restructuring that adds a year to his deal and includes a substantial pay raise for Pitino and his staff, positioning him as the Big East’s second-highest-paid coach. Pitino, who has propelled St. John’s to consecutive Big East titles and a Sweet 16 this season, indicated he plans to continue coaching, barring retirement.
No. 1 UCLA pulled away in the second half to defeat Minnesota 80-56 in the NCAA women's Sweet 16, ending the Gophers’ season at 24-9. UCLA outscored Minnesota 46-27 after halftime, led by Kiki Rice with 21 points and Lauren Betts with 16 points and five blocks, while Minnesota struggled to attack the Bruins’ size and received limited bench production. Minnesota also heads into offseason with Amaya Battle and Sophie Hart set to graduate, though key returners such as Mara Braun, Grace Grocholski and Tori McKinney remain.
Iowa defeated Nebraska 77-71 in the NCAA Sweet 16 after a late miscommunication left Nebraska with only four players on the floor, capping a dramatic collapse that included an Alvaro Folgueiras dunk and a late foul shot. Head coach Fred Hoiberg took responsibility for the blunder as Nebraska’s season, despite a program-best 28-7 run, ends; Iowa’s Ben McCollum outcoached the Huskers and advances to the Elite Eight.
UConn built a 19-point first-half lead and withstood a late Michigan State rally to win 67-63 in the Sweet 16; Tarris Reed Jr. scored 20 and, with Alex Karaban, sealed the win with clutch free throws in the final seconds as the Huskies advance to the Elite Eight to face Duke.
UConn survived a furious Michigan State rally to edge the Spartans 67-63 in the Sweet 16, advancing to the Elite Eight. UConn’s frontcourt of Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban led the effort with 37 points, while MSU fought back from a 19-point deficit but couldn’t close the final gap, as a late possession failed to produce the go-ahead shot and the Spartans’ season ended.
Duke guard Caleb Foster returned to the floor with a fractured foot two weeks after surgery, delivering 11 points and 2 assists in 18 minutes to spark an 80-75 win over St. John’s in the Sweet 16 and propel Duke to the Elite Eight, showing leadership, calm in the huddle and a late-game sequence that helped seal the victory despite limited practice.
The Connecticut Huskies survived a late push from the Michigan State Spartans to win 67-63 in the Sweet 16 at Capital One Arena. Tarris Reed Jr. scored 20 and Alex Karaban added 17 for UConn, with clutch late free throws sealing the victory. UConn advances to face Duke in the East Region final.
Top-seeded Duke erased a 10-point second-half deficit to beat St. John's 80-75 in the East Regional Sweet 16, with Caleb Foster returning from a foot injury to score 11 points and Isaiah Evans pouring in 25 on 10-of-15 shooting, while Cameron Boozer added 22 points and 10 rebounds as Duke used its defense to hold on for the Elite Eight.
Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson is listed questionable with an ankle injury for Friday's Sweet 16 game against Tennessee after missing the Round of 32; coach T.J. Otzelberger said a final decision will come closer to tip. Jefferson leads the Cyclones with 7.4 rebounds per game and 16.4 points per game, while adding 5.1 assists, making his availability crucial as Mason Williams is out; Tennessee will be without Cade Phillips. The game tips around 10:20 p.m. ET.
Two Elite Eight spots are up for grabs in the remaining Sweet 16 games after Duke and Michigan punched their tickets; Sports Illustrated provides live updates, scores and analysis as the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament rolls on.
Back from a fractured right foot, Caleb Foster scored 11 second-half points to spark Duke's 80-75 comeback over St. John's in the East Regional semifinal, sending the top-seeded Blue Devils to the Elite Eight.
Purdue edged Texas 79-77 on Trey Kaufman-Renn’s last-second tip-in to reach the Elite Eight, capping a dramatic Sweet 16 run; Arizona routed Arkansas 109-88 to advance to the regional final; Houston was held to 65-55 by Illinois in a disappointing exit for the top-seeded Cougars; the piece also highlights standout performances, cheers/jeers, and previews Friday’s schedule.
Live updates center Friday’s Sweet 16 with Duke staying in a tight game against St. John’s as Maliq Brown powers Duke and Caleb Foster’s status looms (possible return). Alabama pursues a heavy 3‑point onslaught against Michigan, while coaches Izzo, Pitino, Hurley and Scheyer dominate game previews and predictions for the night’s four‑game slate.
Friday’s NCAA men’s Sweet 16 features four marquee bets: No. 1 Duke vs No. 5 St. John’s (7:10 p.m. ET) where Duke’s defense aims to slow St. John’s hot shooting; No. 1 Michigan vs No. 4 Alabama (7:30 p.m. ET) pitting Michigan’s balanced attack against Alabama’s high-octane scoring; No. 2 UConn vs No. 3 Michigan State (9:45 p.m. ET) a clash of size/experience versus playmaking in East Lansing; and No. 2 Iowa State vs No. 6 Tennessee (10:10 p.m. ET) a potential back-and-forth featuring Tennessee’s offense against Iowa State’s efficiency. Key storylines include injury/status notes (e.g., Duke’s Ngongba and Tennessee’s Joshua Jefferson) and depth rotations, plus up to 23 players from The Athletic’s top 100 prospects potentially suiting up as teams chase a spot in the Elite Eight.
Duke’s starting guard Caleb Foster, who fractured his right foot in the regular-season finale, has a 50-50 shot to play in the Sweet 16 vs. St. John’s after surgery on March 8. He practiced recently and wore a compression sleeve, with coach Jon Scheyer calling it a game-time decision. If he suits up, Duke would be near full strength as freshman Cayden Boozer has stepped up in his absence and Ngongba returned to the lineup. Foster averages 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, and shoots 40.2% from three.