March Madness Sweet Sixteen: Who plays today, Friday, March 27? Times, teams and how to watch
March Madness’ Sweet 16 continues on Friday after the first half of teams notched their spot in the Elite Eight last night.
The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament rolls on Friday night with the second half of the Sweet 16, as four more teams punch their tickets to the Elite Eight.
After an action-packed Thursday slate, the spotlight now shifts to another set of high-stakes matchups with Final Four dreams on the line.
Sweet 16 schedule - Friday, March 27
Here’s the full lineup of games for Friday (all times ET):
- 7:10 p.m - No. 1 Duke vs. No. 5 St. John’s (CBS)
- 7:35 p.m. - No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama (TBS/truTV)
- 9:45 p.m. - No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Michigan State (CBS)
- 10:10 p.m. - No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 6 Tennessee (TBS/truTV)
How to watch
Games will be split between CBS, TBS and truTV, with streaming available via the NCAA March Madness Live app and platforms like Paramount+ (for CBS games).
Thursday recap: Who advanced to the Elite Eight?
Thursday’s Sweet 16 games delivered tight finishes and a few standout performances. Here’s who is moving on.
- No. 2 Purdue edged No. 11 Texas, 79–77
- No. 9 Iowa upset No. 4 Nebraska, 77–71
- No. 3 Illinois knocked off No. 2 Houston, 65–55
- No. 1 Arizona dominated No. 4 Arkansas, 109-88
These winners now await the victors of Friday’s games in their respective Elite Eight matchups.
What to watch Friday
Friday’s Sweet 16 slate is loaded with star power, top seeds and compelling storylines across both regions:
Can Duke avoid the upset?
No. 1 Duke enters as a favorite, but No. 5 St. John’s has been one of the hottest teams in the tournament. If the Red Storm can control tempo, this could get interesting.
Top seeds collide with dangerous challengers
Michigan faces a tough test in No. 4 Alabama, a team capable of heating up quickly offensively. The Wolverines will need to stay sharp to keep their title hopes alive.
Heavyweight battle in the East
UConn vs. Michigan State might be the best game of the night. Both teams are battle-tested, and this matchup has the feel of an Elite Eight or even Final Four-caliber showdown.
Physical clash to close the night
Iowa State vs. Tennessee features two tough, defensive-minded teams. Expect a physical, grind-it-out game where every possession matters.
The road to the Final Four is narrowing quickly, and by the end of Friday night, the Elite Eight field will be complete.
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