March Madness

2026 NCAA March Madness: What teams made it to the Sweet Sixteen?

The second round of March Madness continues today, but several teams already clinched their spot in the Sweet 16, including one Cinderella story.

Troy Wayrynen

Jennifer Bubel

Sports Journalist, AS USA

Sports journalist who grew up in Dallas, TX. Lover of all things sports, she got her degree from Texas Tech University (Wreck ‘em Tech!) in 2011. Joined Diario AS USA in 2021 and now covers mostly American sports (primarily NFL, NBA, and MLB) as well as soccer from around the world.

Update: Mar 22nd, 2026 07:43 EDT

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UPDATE: All the teams in the Sweet 16 after conclusion of second round

The 2026 NCAA Tournament is still in the process of narrowing its field, but several teams have already secured their place in the Sweet Sixteen.

After an action-packed start to March Madness, the first batch of programs punched their tickets to the tournament’s second weekend, with more spots still up for grabs as the second round continues Sunday.

Here’s a look at the teams that have already advanced and who could join them.

The March Madness teams that have clinched the Sweet 16

Several top seeds held firm, but there were still a few standout storylines among the group that advanced.

No. 1 seeds Duke Blue Devils and Michigan Wolverines both advanced comfortably, reinforcing their status as national title contenders.

In the South Region, Houston Cougars also moved on, while Illinois Fighting Illini and Nebraska Cornhuskers secured their spots as well.

SO CLOSE 😳 THE HALF COURT HEAVE ALMOST GOES 😯

NEBRASKA ADVANCES TO THE SWEET 16 🚨

Watch March Madness on TNT Sports pic.twitter.com/MPSMKaOKyV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 22, 2026

The East Region saw Michigan State Spartans advance after knocking off Louisville, continuing their strong tournament run.

Out West, Arkansas Razorbacks moved on after holding off a tough challenge from High Point.

The Cinderella story to watch

Every March Madness needs a surprise team and this year, that role belongs to the Texas Longhorns.

As an No. 11 seed, Texas pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far by defeating Gonzaga in the second round. That win not only sent them to the Sweet Sixteen, but also positioned them as one of the most dangerous underdogs remaining in the field.

What’s still to be decided

While several teams have already secured their place, the full Sweet Sixteen field will be finalized after the remaining second-round games conclude on Sunday. Matchups involving programs like Kansas Jayhawks, UConn Huskies, Florida Gators and Purdue Boilermakers will determine the final spots.

The Sweet Sixteen is set to begin on Thursday, with games scheduled across multiple host cities including Houston, San Jose, Chicago and Washington, D.C. By this stage of the tournament, every remaining team is just a few wins away from the Final Four, and the margin for error is gone.

March Madness always delivers surprises, but with the bracket tightening, the path to a national championship is becoming clearer.

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March Madness

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