The first weekend of the NCAA Tournament delivered non-stop action, and now just 16 teams remain. The highly anticipated NCAA Sweet 16 matchups are set, featuring powerhouse programs, legendary coaches, and standout college basketball players. With only two wins separating these teams from the Final Four, the competition is heating up.
NCAA Sweet 16 Matchups: The Road to the Final Four
The NCAA Tournament began with 68 teams, but after an action-packed opening weekend, the field has been cut to just 16. The North Carolina Tar Heels secured their spot in the tournament by defeating San Diego State in the First Four, setting the stage for an electrifying series of games. Over the weekend, we witnessed thrilling buzzer-beaters, top-seeded teams surviving tight contests, and the reigning champions falling short in their quest for a historic three-peat.
Major Upsets and Cinderella Stories
The defending champions, the UConn Huskies, pushed No. 1 seed Florida Gators to the limit but ultimately fell short in a dramatic showdown. Meanwhile, all four No. 1 seeds advanced through the first two rounds, proving their dominance on the court. However, the Cinderella stories that captivated fans early in the tournament came to an end as McNeese State and their inspiring student manager Amir “Aura” Khan fell to Purdue in the second round. Colorado State also fought valiantly but suffered a heartbreaking loss to Maryland on a buzzer-beater.
Legendary Coaches Leading the Charge
The tournament has not only been about the players but also the legendary coaches making their mark. John Calipari’s No. 10-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks pulled off major upsets, taking down Bill Self’s Kansas squad and then Rick Pitino’s St. John’s in consecutive games. Arkansas remains the only double-digit seed left standing and will now face the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Sweet 16.
NCAA Sweet 16 Matchups and Tip-Off Times
As we take a brief pause from the basketball madness, here’s a look at the upcoming NCAA Sweet 16 matchups and their scheduled tip-off times:
Thursday, March 28
- No. 6 BYU vs. No. 2 Alabama – 7:09 p.m. ET
- No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 1 Florida – 7:39 p.m. ET
- No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 1 Duke – 9:39 p.m. ET
- No. 10 Arkansas vs. No. 3 Texas Tech – 10:09 p.m. ET
Friday, March 29
- No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 2 Michigan State – 7:09 p.m. ET
- No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 2 Tennessee – 7:39 p.m. ET
- No. 5 Michigan vs. No. 1 Auburn – 9:39 p.m. ET
- No. 4 Purdue vs. No. 1 Houston – 10:09 p.m. ET
With the NCAA Sweet 16 matchups set to deliver more thrilling moments, fans can expect high-intensity games and potential upsets as teams battle for a coveted spot in the Final Four. Stay tuned for the latest NCAA Tournament news, analysis, and game updates!
