March Madness 2026: Highlights and Lowlights of Thursday’s Sweet 16

Bassyonni

Published: March 27, 2026 5:47 PM ET

Purdue’s thrilling victory over Texas highlighted the excitement of Thursday’s Sweet 16. The Boilermakers clinched a spot in the Elite Eight with a last-second tip-in by Trey Kaufman-Renn, ending the game at 79-77. This marked Purdue’s second trip to the Elite Eight in three years, symbolizing a significant achievement for the team.

March Madness 2026 Highlights

The game showcased a fierce battle between the two teams, with Texas aiming for a historic run after starting from the First Four. Head coach Sean Miller’s squad nearly made NCAA history, but ultimately fell short at the hands of Purdue’s resilience.

Purdue Boilermakers’ Performance

Trey Kaufman-Renn scored the game-winning basket with just 0.7 seconds remaining.
Purdue was ranked as the preseason No. 1 team.
The Boilermakers will face Arizona in the next round.

Arizona Wildcats Dominate Arkansas

Arizona impressed with a commanding 109-88 victory over Arkansas, securing its first regional final appearance since 2015. They showcased remarkable shooting, achieving a field goal percentage of 63.8%, the best since 2005.

Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd expressed pride in his team’s offensive display.
The Wildcats have now reached the Sweet 16 after overcoming previous tournament struggles.
They are on a 12-game winning streak, with their NCAA Tournament games decided by a significant margin of 67 points.

Chicago Showdown: Illinois vs. Houston

In another upset, Illinois bested Houston with a 65-55 score, creating waves in the South Region. Houston was aimed at a return to the Final Four but struggled offensively. The Cougars managed a lowly shooting percentage of 34.0% in front of a home crowd.

Illinois capitalized on a pivotal 17-0 run during the game.
Houston suffered its lowest point total of the season.

Big Ten Conference Triumph

The Big Ten is demonstrating substantial strength with multiple teams advancing in the tournament. Purdue, Illinois, and Iowa are set for significant matchups, increasing the odds of a Big Ten team reaching the Final Four.

Other Notable Moments

Jordan Pope of Texas played despite suffering a broken foot, scoring 12 points.
Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska’s coach, accepted responsibility for a late-game blunder involving having too many players on the court.

As March Madness continues, fans eagerly anticipate the next matchups. The competition is fierce, and surprises await in the quest for the national title.