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.
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.