The Teams Advancing & Matchups to Watch

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GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 19: Cayden Boozer #2 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots the ball against Justice Shoats #0 of the Siena Saints during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The round of 32 has now concluded in the 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament. There were several Cinderella stories of teams advancing that were previously under the radar, and many dominant teams maintained their status in the competition.

All to say, this year’s March Madness has been an action-packed spectacle with a lot more to be seen on the court as teams advancing to the Sweet 16 round later this week. Here is everything you need to know about the teams moving on in the tournament, plus the matchups to look to forward to as March Madness continues.

The Top 16 Men’s Basketball Teams Advancing to the Sweet 16 Round

GettyPORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 21: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks dribbles the ball while being guarded by Cam’Ron Fletcher #11 of the High Point Panthers during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 21, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

The Sweet 16 round of March Madness will see the top 16 NCAA basketball teams go against one another for the chance to advance further in the national tournament. Following the second round of competition on March 21-22, 2026, here are the teams moving forward to the Sweet 16:

Arkansas – after defeating High Point in the second round
Illinois – after defeating VCU
Houston – after defeating Texas A&M
Texas – after defeating Gonzaga
Purdue – after defeating Miami FL
Nebraska – after defeating Vanderbilt
Michigan – after defeating Saint Louis
Duke – after defeating TCU
Michigan State – after defeating Louisville
Iowa State – after defeating Kentucky
St. John’s – after defeating Kansas
Tennessee – after defeating Virginia
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Sweet 16 Matchups to Take Place Later This Week

GettyGREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 19: Cayden Boozer #2 and Maliq Brown #6 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates during the second half against the Siena Saints in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

As March Madness continues with the Sweet 16 round, here are the dates and team matchups of the games to come later this week.

Thursday, March 26, 2026