March Madness 2026 Sweet 16 Results: Upsets, Heroes & Who's Heading to the Elite Eight

March Madness just delivered one of the most dramatic Sweet 16 nights in recent memory. Thursday's four games had it all — last-second heroics, stunning upsets, and underdog stories that nobody saw coming. If your bracket is already in flames, you're not alone. Here's the complete breakdown of every Sweet 16 result from March 26, plus what's coming tonight on Friday, March 27.

What Is the Sweet 16?

For anyone new to March Madness, the Sweet 16 is the round where the NCAA Tournament gets truly serious. Of the original 68 teams that started the tournament, only 16 remain — and every single game is an elimination match. One loss and your season is over. The Sweet 16 runs across two nights, Thursday March 26 and Friday March 27, with the Elite Eight following this weekend on March 28 and 29.

The road to the Final Four in Indianapolis on April 4 runs through this weekend, and after Thursday night's action, the field is already getting a lot clearer — and a lot more unpredictable.

Thursday Night Results: Every Sweet 16 Game from March 26

No. 2 Purdue 79, No. 11 Texas 77 — Last Second Drama

If you only watched one game on Thursday, it should have been this one. Purdue outlasted Texas 79-77 in the Sweet 16, advancing to its seventh Elite Eight in program history and third since 2019. The winning play came from veteran forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, who converted a go-ahead tip-in with just 0.7 seconds left on the clock. The Boilermakers did their damage inside all night, with Kaufman-Renn finishing with 20 points and 8 rebounds.

Texas, the tournament's last remaining double-digit seed, had a miraculous run that captivated the country. Star guard Tramon Mark finished with 29 points in his final college game — a performance worthy of a standing ovation even in defeat. The Longhorns' Cinderella story is over, but what a ride it was.

No. 9 Iowa 77, No. 4 Nebraska 71 — The Hawkeyes Keep Shocking Everyone

Iowa is doing something truly remarkable in this tournament. The Hawkeyes kept their March Madness dreams alive with a 77-71 win over fellow Big Ten rival Nebraska, moving on to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1987. What makes this win even more stunning is how Iowa did it — the Hawkeyes trailed for more than 32 minutes of game time and did not take their first lead until just 2:10 remained in the second half.

Iowa was led by Bennett Stirtz with 20 points and had double-digit performances from Alvaro Folgueiras with 16 points and Tate Sage with 19 points off the bench. Iowa will now face the winner of Houston vs. Illinois in the Elite Eight — and at this point, nobody should be counting them out.

No. 1 Arizona 78, No. 4 Arkansas 66 — Wildcats Roll

Top-seeded Arizona withstood an early offensive slump and a second-half push from Utah State to win 78-66, becoming the third No. 1 seed to reach the Sweet 16. It is the third year in a row that the Wildcats have made it this far. Four Arizona players scored in double figures, with Koa Peat posting 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Motiejus Krivas adding 11 points and 14 rebounds. Arizona looked dominant and may be the most complete team left in the tournament.

No. 2 Houston vs. No. 3 Illinois — Still Playing

Tonight's second night of Sweet 16 games features No. 6 seed Tennessee vs. No. 2 seed Iowa State and No. 4 seed Alabama against No. 1 seed Michigan, both played in Chicago. Check back on CelebTrends for the final results as they come in tonight.

The Biggest Story: Iowa Is March Madness' Cinderella Team

If there is one team that has captured the nation's attention in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, it is the Iowa Hawkeyes. A No. 9 seed that knocked out the defending champion Florida Gators in the second round and has now punched their ticket to the Elite Eight for the first time in nearly 40 years — this is exactly the kind of story that makes March Madness the greatest sporting event in America.

Head coach Ben McCollum's team keeps finding ways to win games they have no business winning. They trail, they claw back, and somehow they find a way to close it out. Iowa became just the eighth No. 9 seed ever to reach the Elite Eight. History is being made in real time.

Tonight's Sweet 16 Games — Friday March 27

Four more elimination games tip off tonight with just as much on the line. Here is what to watch:

• No. 5 St. John's vs. No. 1 Duke (7:10 PM ET) — This matchup features coaching legend Rick Pitino of St. John's going up against Duke's Jon Scheyer. Pitino is looking for his first Elite Eight appearance since the 2014-15 season at Louisville. Do not sleep on this one.
• No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 2 Iowa State (approx. 7:30 PM ET) — Tennessee has been a streaky team all year. Iowa State is one of the tournament's most consistent performers. This one could go either way.
• No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Michigan (approx. 9:45 PM ET) — Both of these games will be played in Chicago. Alabama has the talent to pull an upset. Michigan is determined to prove they are a true title contender.
• No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Michigan State — Alex Karaban's career night lifted No. 2 UConn into the Sweet 16 past UCLA, 73-57. Karaban scored a career-high 27 points on 9 for 16 shooting, making four 3-pointers. UConn arrives on a roll and looks dangerous.

How to Watch the Sweet 16 Tonight

There are several streaming options for watching the March Madness Sweet 16. These include HBO Max, DirecTV, Paramount+, Sling, and Fubo, with many platforms offering free trials for new members. The March Madness Live app also provides free viewing options for all 67 games of the tournament. Check your local TV schedule as well — several games will air on CBS and TNT.

Elite Eight Schedule — This Weekend

The Elite Eight begins Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, with the Final Four set for Saturday, April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The NCAA Championship game tips off Monday, April 6, also in Indianapolis. The road to a national title is getting shorter and the stakes are getting higher with every game.

Final Thoughts

Thursday night's Sweet 16 action delivered everything March Madness promises — buzzer-beaters, Cinderella stories, and moments that will be replayed for years. Iowa's run is one for the history books. Purdue's last-second survival act was pure March Madness magic. And the best part? There are still four more games tonight. Keep it locked to CelebTrends for tonight's live results, Elite Eight previews, and all the March Madness coverage you need.

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