March Madness

• No. 9 seed Iowa defeated defending national champion Florida 73-72 in Sunday's second round, ending the Gators' title repeat hopes with a stunning upset victory. • Iowa shot over 70% from 2-point range, a feat no team had accomplished against coach Todd Golden in his 144-game tenure at Florida, showcasing elite offensive execution. • Florida's interior defense, typically one of the nation's best, was overwhelmed, though Alex Condon contributed 21 points; Iowa's balanced attack proved too much in a tight final possession.

• The second round of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament wrapped on March 22 across sites including Oklahoma City, Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, Portland, and St. Louis. • Notable action included a potential buzzer-beater rimming out in Nebraska-Vanderbilt's frantic finish, heightening bracket drama. • Sweet 16 games begin Thursday, March 26, leading to regionals in Houston, San Jose, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., with Final Four on April 4-6 in Indianapolis.

• Second round games occur on March 21 at sites including Oklahoma City, Portland, and St. Louis, following first round action. • Kentucky secured an overtime win with Otega Oweh scoring 35 points and hitting an epic buzzer-beater, advancing in the tournament. • The schedule progresses to Sweet 16 on March 26-27, with regionals in Houston, San Jose, and Chicago hosting later stages.

• No. 1 South Carolina faces No. 16 Southern at 1 p.m. ET on ABC, while No. 1 UConn plays No. 16 UTSA at 3 p.m. ET in the Women's NCAA Tournament first round. • No. 2 Iowa takes on No. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN, followed by No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 14 Howard at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN2. • These games mark the start of bracket action across multiple sites, with CBS Sports providing live updates and highlights throughout Saturday.

• The 2026 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament entered its first round on Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20, with games hosted across multiple venues including Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, and Portland. • First-round matchups are scheduled for March 19 and 21 in Oklahoma City and Portland, while March 20 and 22 games take place in Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis, with teams competing for advancement to the second round. • The tournament follows Selection Sunday on March 15, with the First Four play-in games held on March 17-18, setting the stage for the 68-team competition.

• 2026 NCAA Men's March Madness First Four games occurred on March 17-18 following team selections on March 15, with first round set for March 19-20. • Regionals include Oklahoma City, Portland, Tampa, and Philadelphia for early rounds; East Regional in Washington, D.C., Final Four April 4-6 in Indianapolis. • Tournament progresses to championship on April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium, drawing massive national attention.

• Arizona enters the tournament as a major contender, having recorded wins over powerhouse programs Florida, UConn, Alabama, Houston, and Kansas during the regular season. • The Wildcats are pursuing the West Coast's first national championship since 1997, leveraging their dominant schedule and tournament experience. • Arizona's offensive firepower and tournament pedigree position them among the favorites to compete for the national title.