Men’s March Madness 2026 takeaways: Purdue, Iowa, Illinois, Arizona advance to Elite Eight
Half of the sector for the Elite Eight was set on Thursday night time, as Arizona, Illinois, Iowa and Purdue all superior with victories of their regional semifinal matchups within the males’s NCAA Tournament.
No. 3 seed Illinois held off No. 2 Houston 65-55 on the nightcap of the South Regional semifinal in what was basically a house recreation for the Cougars. After a low-scoring first half between the groups, Illinois exploded offensively to take a double-digit lead and by no means regarded again. The Illini will face Iowa in a Big Ten showdown Saturday for a spot within the Final Four.
In the West, top-seeded Arizona routed Arkansas 109-88 because the Wildcats continued their spectacular season. Arizona was rolling within the first half, taking a 54-43 lead into halftime. The Wildcats scored greater than 100 factors for the fourth time this season. Arizona will face Purdue on Saturday.
The No. 2 seed Boilermakers superior earlier within the day by outlasting No. 11 Texas 79-77, advancing to the Elite Eight for the seventh time in program historical past. Purdue huge man Trey Kaufman-Renn tipped in Braden Smith’s missed layup with 0.7 seconds remaining, and the Longhorns’ desperation heave on the buzzer was too robust.
In the South, Iowa defeated Nebraska 77-71 to attain the Elite Eight for the primary time since 1987. Nebraska held a mere three-point lead at halftime, however Iowa took management when it mattered — inside the ultimate two minutes of the sport.
Here are the takeaways from Thursday’s Sweet 16 video games:
No. 3 Illinois 65, No. 2 Houston 55
Illinois pulled off what many thought could not be accomplished — taking down Houston in basically a highway setting in the course of the NCAA Tournament.
The Cougars led for only one minute, 29 seconds, and extra importantly, Illinois answered each query about toughness. The Illini have been probably the most bodily crew from begin to end, profitable the rebounding battle 31-23 and outscoring Houston within the paint 24-18. That bodily edge confirmed up on the line, too, the place Illinois tried 21 free throws to simply two for Houston.
Future NBA lottery choose Keaton Wagler struggled from the sector (4-for-14) however nonetheless delivered a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double for Illinois. David Mirković added 14 factors, Andrej Stojaković offered a prompt the bench with 13 and Tomislav Ivisic chipped in 9 factors.
Houston by no means discovered an offensive rhythm, and Illinois capitalized on the Cougars’ aggressive protection by flattening well timed 3s off blown rotations. Another projected lottery choose, Kingston Flemings, completed with 11 factors, six rebounds, and 4 assists.
Now the main focus shifts to Houston’s future. With as many as 4 starters doubtlessly leaving due to commencement or the NBA, the large query is how the Cougars regroup and rebuild for the longer term. — Tobias Bass, workers editor
No. 1 Arizona 109, No. 4 Arkansas 88
Arizona shot a scorching 64 p.c from the sector because the top-seeded Wildcats cruised to an enormous win over fourth-seeded Arkansas on the SAP Center to advance to the Elite Eight. Arizona now has an opportunity to play in its first Final Four in 25 years.
Although the sport was billed as a heavyweight matchup between freshmen guards Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas) and Brayden Burries (Arizona), it was the Wildcats who placed on a present, as six completely different Arizona gamers scored in double figures, led by Burries’ 23. Acuff led all scorers with 28, however the Razorbacks had no reply for Arizona’s dimension. Arizona bigs Koa Peat (21), Ivan Kharchenkov (15 factors) and Tobe Awaka (14) mixed for 50 factors. — Lindsay Schnell, school basketball workers author
No. 2 Purdue 79, No. 11 Texas 77
This was a gritty recreation that includes 10 lead adjustments and 16 ties and went down to the ultimate possession, with many within the SAP Center considering it could be going to further possessions too. The Longhorns minimize the Boilermakers’ lead to one level with 59 seconds remaining after a second-chance basket, however a Braden Smith layup gave Purdue a two-point lead. After an trade of free throws, Texas guard Dailyn Swain transformed an and-1 layup, and his free throw tied the sport, organising Purdue’s last possession. Purdue will face the winner of Arizona-Arkansas on Saturday. The Boilers’ win overshadowed a pleasant run by Texas, which reached this far out of the First Four after coming into the match with only one win in its final six video games. —Schnell
Add a legendary second to Kaufman-Renn’s notable profession. Kaufman-Renn led Purdue with 20 factors and eight rebounds, and his crew wanted each little bit of productiveness and hustle to maintain off the Longhorns, whose gritty match run was outlined by guard Tramon Mark. The senior, enjoying on a sprained ankle, had 29 factors. However, it wasn’t sufficient to maintain Purdue from making its third look within the Elite Eight previously eight seasons. — Jerry Brewer, senior columnist
No. 9 Iowa 77, No. 4 Nebraska 71
The “Rumble in the Cornfield” delivered in Space City, and Iowa is headed to the Elite Eight after a six-point win over Nebraska. The Hawkeyes led for simply two minutes, 10 seconds your complete night time, however by no means flinched. They stayed inside putting distance and trusted their closers—and it paid off.
With a future NBA first-rounder in Bennett Stirtz, the ever-clutch Alvaro Folguerias and sharpshooters Cooper Koch and Tate Sage, Iowa at all times had sufficient firepower. Stirtz led the way in which with 20 factors and 4 assists, whereas Sage added 19 factors and eight rebounds in an enormous efficiency.
This one was all offense — 26 mixed 3s, minimal whistles and protection at a premium. Nebraska regarded in management for a lot of the recreation and obtained an enormous 25-point effort from Pryce Sandfort, however could not end the job.
A couple of expensive psychological lapses down the stretch flipped the sport, and Iowa took full benefit. The Hawkeyes might play at a slower tempo, however this win confirmed they’ll pace issues up when wanted — and extra importantly, shut. Nebraska discovered the arduous approach: even with the lead, you possibly can’t let up for a second. — Bass
