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March Madness Sweet 16 Recap: Iowa Rallies, Purdue Hits Game-Winner, Illinois Overcomes Slow Start, Arizona Rolls

The first day of the Sweet 16 had two thrillers, a rock fight and a team that steamrolled its opponent. Here’s everything we saw in those four games.
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Arizona forward Koa Peat reacts during the Wildcats’ rout of Arkansas in the Sweet 16.
Arizona forward Koa Peat reacts during the Wildcats’ rout of Arkansas in the Sweet 16. | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

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Purdue BoilermakersTexas LonghornsNebraska CornhuskersIowa HawkeyesArizona WildcatsArkansas RazorbacksHouston CougarsIllinois Fighting Illini

The 2026 NCAA men’s tournament continued Thursday with four games in the Sweet 16 in the West and South Regionals. No. 2 seed Purdue held off upset-minded No. 11 Texas, while No. 9 Iowa rallied to beat No. 4 Nebraska in the early games. Then, No. 3 Illinois overcame a slow start and used 17–0 run to beat No. 2 Houston, while No. 1 Arizona steamrolled No. 4 Arkansas. Before Friday’s game, get up to date with Sports Illustrated’s preview coverage: Bryan Fischer reseeded the field after the first two rounds, and Fischer joined Pat Forde and Kevin Sweeney to make Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four and national championship picks. Plus, check out five bold predictions for the Sweet 16 from Patrick Andres. Here’s everything we saw on Thursday.

Men’s March Madness Sweet 16 recap

More March Madness From Sports Illustrated

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Gilberto Manzano
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