The second round of the 2026 men's basketball tournament kicked off on Saturday, with eight teams punching their tickets to the Sweet 16. While the day mostly stuck to the expected outcomes, it still delivered the kind of drama and nail-biting moments that make March Madness a fan favorite.
Winner: Nebraska's Historic Run
Nebraska basketball is having a season for the ages. Regardless of what happens next, this year is already etched in the Cornhuskers' history books.
After securing their first-ever NCAA tournament victory on Thursday, they followed it up with a thrilling 74-72 win over Vanderbilt. The game was a rollercoaster, capped off by Nebraska taking the lead with just 2.2 seconds left.
Vanderbilt's last-second half-court attempt seemed destined to go in but heartbreakingly rimmed out. It was a true March Madness moment, where the only thing that matters is the final score - and Nebraska came out on top.
Loser: Gonzaga's Ongoing Struggle
Gonzaga continues to face the same old challenge. Despite dominating their conference and consistently winning around 30 games a year, breaking through in the tournament remains elusive. The difference between good and great is razor-thin, and Gonzaga is still searching for that breakthrough moment.
Winner: Texas Finds Its Groove
On the flip side of Gonzaga's 74-68 loss was the rise of the Texas Longhorns. Moving from the First Four to the Sweet 16, they're the first to do so since UCLA in 2021. Despite entering the tournament on a three-game skid, they've found their rhythm at the perfect time.
Loser: The Traditional Cinderella Story
The classic Cinderella story seems to be fading. This tournament has mostly followed expectations, and even lower seeds advancing aren't your typical underdog tales.
Take Texas, for example - an 11 seed, but with their SEC pedigree and substantial resources, calling them a Cinderella feels off. In today's game, money and resources are making the difference.
Winner: Tom Izzo's March Mastery
Tom Izzo continues to be synonymous with March success. While he may not have the most national titles, when it comes to tournament time, few coaches are as reliable.
His Michigan State teams might not boast the biggest stars, but they're consistently tough outs in March. Seeing Izzo on the sidelines of a Sweet 16 game feels like a March tradition.
The Big Ten is shining brightly this tournament, with Michigan, a No. 1 seed, putting up impressive back-to-back 90-point performances.