Thursday night’s college basketball action served up some unexpected thrills, reminding us why we love the game. Purdue and Texas faced off in what many thought would be a low-key matchup, only for Trey Kaufman-Renn to steal the show with a last-second tip-in that secured the win for Purdue. It was a bittersweet end for Texas fans, but the performances from Tramon Mark and Jordan Pope in their college finales were a joy to watch.
The Nebraska-Iowa clash was intriguing for its unusual Sweet 16 pairing. It played out as a tight, low-possession game, with Iowa capitalizing on a critical Nebraska error-only four players on the court during a crucial defensive stand. Iowa found a way to edge out the win.
Games that were anticipated to be highlights didn’t quite deliver. Houston’s defense, expected to dominate Illinois, faltered as they struggled offensively.
Illinois, playing a methodical style reminiscent of the early 2000s NBA, managed to secure the victory. Their strategy of shooting threes and working ball screens paid off, even if it wasn’t the most thrilling to watch.
The Arkansas-Arizona game was lively, though not close, as Arizona’s potent offense put up an impressive 109 points. Arkansas’s defense, reminiscent of their near-upset against Mizzou, couldn’t contain Arizona’s firepower.
Friday’s action in the East and Midwest regions didn’t disappoint. Duke and St.
John’s delivered a nail-biter, with Duke emerging victorious. Michigan outlasted Alabama in a high-scoring affair, while UConn jumped ahead early against Michigan State and held on.
Tennessee, missing key player Joshua Jefferson, still managed to overpower Iowa State.
Looking ahead, Arizona, Michigan, and Duke have been standout teams all season and are poised to make a run at the Final Four. Purdue, a preseason favorite, and UConn, champions just two years ago, add to the excitement. The South region remains the wildcard, promising a thrilling few days of basketball.
Upcoming College Basketball Games: March 28th and 29th, 2026
- Saturday, 5:09 PM CT (South Region) Iowa (9) vs.
Illinois (3)
- Illinois favored by 6.5
- Over/Under: 137.5
- TV: TBS
- Saturday, 7:49 PM CT (West Region) Purdue (2) vs.
Arizona (1)
- Arizona favored by 6.5
- Over/Under: 153.5
- TV: TBS
- Sunday, 1:15 PM CT (Midwest Region) Tennessee (6) vs.
Michigan (1)
- Michigan favored by 7.5
- Over/Under: 146.5
- TV: CBS
- Sunday, 4:05 PM CT (East Region) UConn (2) vs.
Duke (1)
- Duke favored by 5.5
- Over/Under: 134.5
- TV: CBS
Get ready for an exciting weekend of hoops as these teams battle for a spot in the Final Four!