NCAA Men’s Basketball Sweet 16 Predictions

The college basketball season is nearing its end, moving fast towards the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship. Currently, a set of Sweet 16 rounds is set to commence, with 8 remaining teams aiming for the Elite Eight. Only four of these teams will enter the Elite Eight, as Illinois, Iowa, Arizona, and Purdue are already qualified. So, the upcoming NCAA Men’s Basketball Sweet 16 Rounds will decide the potential Champion. In this article, let’s look at the schedule, preview, and expert picks.

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Previously in NCAA Men’s Basketball

The NCAA Men’s Basketball has moved to the Sweet 16 stage, with 4 teams already qualified for the Elite Eight. The Purdue Boilermakers defeated the Texas Longhorns by a two-point difference. Likewise, the Iowa Hawkeyes beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers with a 6-point lead. Notably, Bennett Stirtz amazed the team by scoring 20 points. The Illinois Fighting Illini won over the Houston Cougars, scoring 65 to the Houston Cougars’ 55. Lastly, the Arizona Wildcats beat the Arkansas Razorbacks with a substantial difference. 

NCAA Men’s Basketball Sweet 16 Schedule

Duke Blue Devils vs St. John’s Red Storm

Date: 27 March 2026

Time: 07:10 PM ET | 04:10 PM PT | 04:40 AM IST (Next Day)

Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington

Michigan Wolverines vs Alabama Crimson Tide

Date: 27 March 2026

Time: 07:35 PM ET | 04:35 PM PT | 05:05 AM IST (Next Day)

Venue: United Center, Chicago

Connecticut Huskies vs Michigan State Spartans

Date: 27 March 2026

Time: 09:45 PM ET | 06:45 PM PT | 07:15 AM IST (Next Day)

Venue: Capital One Arena

Iowa State Cyclones vs Tennessee Volunteers

Date: 27 March 2026

Time: 10:10 PM ET | 07:10 PM PT | 07:40 AM IST (Next Day)

Venue: United Center, Chicago

Elite Eight Schedule

Illinois Fighting Illini vs Iowa Hawkeyes

Date: 28 March 2026

Time: 06:09 PM ET | 03:09 PM PT | 03:39 AM IST (Next Day)

Venue: Toyota Center, Houston

Arizona vs Purdue

Date: 28 March 2026

Time: 08:49 PM ET | 05:49 PM PT | 06:19 AM IST (Next Day)

Venue: SAP Center, San Jose

NCAA Men’s Basketball – Sweet 16 Predictions

Duke Blue Devils vs St. John’s Red Storm

Date: 27 March 2026

Time: 07:10 PM ET | 04:10 PM PT | 04:40 AM IST (Next Day)

Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington

Duke Blue Devils Roster

Name	Position
Cameron Boozer	Forward
Cayden Boozer	Guard
Maliq Brown	Forward
Brock Davis	Guard/Forward
Isaiah Evans	Guard/Forward
Darren Harris	Guard/Forward
Nikolas Khamenia	Guard/Forward
Dame Sarr	Guard/Forward
Jack Scott	Guard/Forward
Cameron Sheffield	Guard/Forward

St. John’s Red Storm Roster

Name	Position
Dylan Darlin	Guard
Zuby Ejiofor	Forward
Bryce Hopkins	Forward
Sadiku Ibine Ayo	Forward
Ian Jackson	Guard
Fotis Konstantinidis	Guard
Lefteris Liotopoulos	Guard
Dillon Mitchell	Forward
Kelvin Odih	Guard
Ruben Prey	Forward
Joson Sanon	Guard
Oziyah Sellers	Guard
Handje Tamba	Center

Preview

The Duke Blue Devils are currently leading the Atlantic Coast rankings. They have one of the best offenses in the NCAA Men’s Basketball division. Their scoring is slightly better than St John’s Red Storm. The Red Storm, on the other hand, is also a strong club, but has a few shortcomings. Their steals and rebounds are less effective, which might allow more possession for the Blue Devils. Besides, their scoring ability is also not that good. Hence, the Duke Blue Devils are favored to win in this NCAA Men’s Basketball Sweet 16 Round.

The Pick: The Duke Blue Devils.  

Michigan Wolverines vs Alabama Crimson Tide

Date: 27 March 2026

Time: 07:35 PM ET | 04:35 PM PT | 05:05 AM IST (Next Day)

Venue: United Center, Chicago

Michigan Wolverines Roster

Player Name	Position
Nimari Burnett	Guard
Elliot Cadeau	Guard
Roddy Gayle Jr.	Guard
Oscar Goodman	Forward
Harrison Hochberg	Forward
Morez Johnson Jr.	Forward
Malick Kordel	Center
Yaxel Lendeborg	Forward
Aday Mara	Center
Trey McKenney	Guard
Will Tschetter	Forward

Alabama Crimson Tide Roster

Player	Position
Amari Allen	Forward
Jalil Bethea	Guard
Taylor Bol Bowen	Forward
Jack Fagan	Guard
Houston Mallette	Guard
Jacob Martin	Guard
Preston Murphy Jr.	Guard
Labaron Philon Jr.	Guard
Aiden Sherrell	Forward
Noah Williamson	Center
Latrell Wrightsell Jr.	Guard
London Jemison	Forward
Klark James	Guard

Preview

The Michigan Wolverines have been good in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Playoffs recently. Their offense is considerably strong enough to withstand the Crimson Tides’ pressure. Particularly, their assists are more frequent and precise. The Alabama Crimson Tide, on the other hand, comes with a better scoring average. They also have a better rebound rate. The Michigan Wolverines slightly have a better three-pointer. However, the Alabama Crimson Tide’s overall form will outperform the Wolverines in this NCAA Men’s Basketball game.

The Pick: The Michigan Wolverines.

Connecticut Huskies vs Michigan State Spartans

Date: 27 March 2026

Time: 09:45 PM ET | 06:45 PM PT | 07:15 AM IST (Next Day)

Venue: Capital One Arena

Connecticut Huskies Roster

Player	Position
Alex Karaban	Forward
Tarris Reed Jr.	Center
Braylon Mullins	Guard
Eric Reibe	Center
Jayden Ross	Forward
Malachi Smith	Guard
Alec Millender	Guard
Dwayne Koroma	Forward
Jacob Furphy	Guard
Rrezon Elezaj	Center
Jacob Ross	Forward
Uroš Paunovic	Guard

Michigan State Spartans Roster

Player	Position
Coen Carr	Forward
Carson Cooper	Center
Jeremy Fears Jr.	Guard
Trey Fort	Guard
Jaxon Kohler	Forward
Jesse McCulloch	Forward
Nick Sanders	Guard
Jordan Scott	Forward
Kur Teng	Guard
Brennan Walton	Forward
Colin Walton	Forward
Cam Ward	Forward

Preview

The Connecticut Huskies are good at three-pointers and frequent assists. But they are often outpowered as they leave possession more frequently. Mainly, their front-court dominance is very apparent, making their opponents stumble. They are also good at defense, having allowed fewer points. Conversely, the Michigan State Spartans bring a similar form that has mild setbacks in defense. A lack of a consistent scorer on the team leaves them offensively weak. Therefore, the UConn Huskies are the favorites.

The Pick: The Connecticut Huskies.

Iowa State Cyclones vs Tennessee Volunteers

Date: 27 March 2026

Time: 10:10 PM ET | 07:10 PM PT | 07:40 AM IST (Next Day)

Venue: United Center, Chicago

Iowa State Cyclones Roster

Player	Position
Jamarion Batemon	Guard
Blake Buchanan	Forward/Center
Nate Heise	Guard
Cade Kelderman	Guard
Tamin Lipsey	Guard
Xzavion Mitchell	Forward
Milan Momcilovic	Forward
Eric Mulder	Forward
Dominick Nelson	Guard
Dominykas Pleta	Forward/Center
Anthony Rise	Guard
Killyan Toure	Guard

Tennessee Volunteers Roster

Player	Position
Amaree Abram	Guard
Bishop Boswell	Guard
DeWayne Brown II	Forward
Ethan Burg	Guard
Jaylen Carey	Forward
Campbell Duncan	Guard
J.P. Estrella	Forward
Amari Evans	Guard
Ja’Kobi Gillespie	Guard
Troy Henderson	Guard
Grant Hurst	Guard
Clarence Massamba	Guard
Felix Okpara	Center
Gavin Paull	Guard
Cade Phillips	Forward

Preview

The Iowa State Cyclones have a higher scoring average, being one of the elite clubs in the division. Their defense was outstanding in the last ten games, as they consistently restricted their opponents’ scoring. Their field goal percentage is also good, making them a strong contender. Similarly, the Tennessee Volunteers have a balanced attack and a decent defense. But their efficiency is underwhelming when compared with Iowa State’s overall quality. The Tennessee State squad has a low number of three-pointers and lags behind in scoring average. In short, the Iowa State Cyclones have a better winning prospect in this NCAA Men’s Basketball game.

The Pick: Iowa State Cyclones.

Conclusion

The remaining matchups in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Sweet 16 are about to occur. Meanwhile, the Elite Eight rounds are getting ready on one side with Illinois, Iowa, Arizona, and Purdue. When the games end, the Elite Eight will commence, gearing up towards the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four.