UConn survives Michigan State's comeback try; Tennessee beats Iowa State, heads to Elite Eight

The Big Ten has half of the teams in the Elite Eight which gets underway Saturday

The Big Ten will comprise half of the Elite Eight after coming up just short of setting a new record for most teams from a single league to advance out of the Sweet 16. Had Michigan State finished off its comeback against UConn on Friday night, the league would have produced an unprecedented five regional final participants.

Nevertheless, an Elite Eight representation of Michigan, Purdue, Illinois and Iowa is a strong haul for the Big Ten as it seeks to capture its first national championship since the Spartans won it all in 2000. It marks the second year in a row that a single conference has comprised half the Elite Eight after the SEC sent Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Tennessee to regional finals in 2025.

It wasn't such a strong showing for the SEC in 2026. With No. 4 seed Alabama bowing out on Friday night with a 90-77 loss to Michigan, Tennessee is the league's only team remaining. The No. 6 seed Volunteers edged No. 2 seed Iowa State 76-62, leaving Arizona as the Big 12's lone representative.

Duke is the lone ACC team still alive after taking out St. John's in the Sweet 16. That outcome left UConn as the only Big East team in the bracket. All told, each of the five high-major conferences are represented in the Elite Eight, but the Big Ten is the only league with multiple teams still remaining.  

2026 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 TV schedule

All times Eastern | NCAA Tournament schedule | LIVE bracket

Friday, March 27

• (1) Duke 80, (5) St. John's 75 -- Highlights
• (1) Michigan 90 , (4) Alabama 77 -- Highlights
• (2) UConn 67, (3) Michigan State 63-- Highlights
• (6) Tennessee 76, (2) Iowa State 62 -- Highlights

CBS Sports will be with you the entire way, updating this story with the latest from every Sweet 16 game on Friday. Keep it locked here for scores, analysis and highlights throughout the evening.

[Mar 28, 2026 at 12:15 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

FINAL: (2) UConn 67, (3) Michigan State 63

What a game. UConn led by as many as 19 points before Michigan State stormed back to take the lead mid-way through the second half. However, UConn was able to close out the game strong with a 67-63 win over MSU to advance to the Elite Eight. UConn star Tarris Reed Jr. finished with 20 points, while Alex Karaban scored 17.

Reed knocked down a pair of clutch free throws with 4 seconds left to put the game away. UConn will face No. 1 overall seed Duke on Sunday in the Elite Eight with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

[Mar 28, 2026 at 12:52 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

Final: (6) Tennessee 76, (2) Iowa State 62

Tennessee has never been to the Final Four. Tennessee coach Rick Barnes hasn't been to the Final Four since 2003, when he was at Texas. After defeating Iowa State to reach the Elite Eight for the third consecutive year, will this be the year the program gets over the hump? Standing in Tennessee's way is No. 1 seed Michigan. Sunday should be electric.

[Mar 28, 2026 at 12:50 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

Final: (6) Tennessee 76, (2) Iowa State 62

Iowa State attempted 25 free throws against Tennessee. The Cyclones only made 15 of them (60%). Obviously, not having star forward Joshua Jefferson was a huge factor, but not making free throws hurt any attempt at a comeback down the stretch. Now, Iowa State finds itself with another exit in the Sweet 16.

[Mar 28, 2026 at 12:49 am ET · David Cobb]

Final: Tennessee 76, Iowa State 62

Tennessee is headed to its third consecutive Elite Eight after physically dominating Iowa State on the boards on Friday night. Playing without star forward Joshua Jefferson, the Cyclones had no answer for the Volunteers' size. Tennessee also all but eliminated star sharpshooter Milan Momcilovic from being a factor. Iowa State is now 1-7 all time in the Sweet 16 as the Cyclones will be left to ponder the "what if" scenario surrounding Jefferson's health. The Volunteers will march on to a date with No. 1 seed Michigan as they seek their first-ever Final Four appearance.

[Mar 28, 2026 at 12:27 am ET · David Cobb]

7:48 2H: Tennessee 61, Iowa State 49

Tennessee has been called for seven fouls in less than three minutes, opening the door for Iowa State to get back into this game. The only problems is that the Cyclones are 6 of 12 from the free-throw line in the second half and failing to take advantage of the fact that they are in the double bonus. Vols forward Nate Ament is on the bench with four fouls. Of note: ISU star Milan Momcilovic still has just just three points on 1 of 6 shooting. With Tennessee holding him in check and Joshua Jefferson out, the Cyclones have limited offensive options.

[Mar 28, 2026 at 12:22 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

FINAL: (2) UConn 67, (3) Michigan State 63

One of the reasons UConn was able to hold on was because of the stellar play down the stretch from Karaban. The UConn star forward finished with 17 points, which included a huge 3-pointer with 1:39 remaining to stretch the lead to four points. Karaban also knocked down a pair of free throws with 22 seconds remaining. He was part of UConn's two national title teams and has been one of the most undervalued stars in the sport. It's only right that he stepped up when the moment mattered.

[Mar 28, 2026 at 12:18 am ET · Cameron Salerno]

FINAL: (2) UConn 67, (3) Michigan State 63

Michigan State's penultimate offensive possession was bad. Down three points with over 20 seconds remaining, MSU would've been smart to go for a quick 2-pointer. Especially, because MSU was only in the "bonus." Instead, Michigan State opted for a 3-pointer deep into the possession, which led to the second free throw having to be missed intentionally. It was bad clock management that cost MSU down the stretch.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 11:58 pm ET · David Cobb]

15:54 2H: Tennessee 46, Iowa State 39

Though he's not 100% healthy amid lingering discomfort from a high ankle sprain, Tennessee star freshman Nate Ament is leaving a mark on this game. He's up to 12 points, which is a team high. The lanky forward is 4 of 8 from the floor. The Volunteers are continuing to struggle with turnovers, but they are also 2 of 2 from deep so far in the second half.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 11:55 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

EARLY 2H: (2) UConn 58, (3) Michigan State 55

Does Michigan State have one last run in them? We will find out over the final 3:08. MSU has come all the way back to make this a ball game.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 11:39 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

For the first time since the opening minute of the game, Michigan State has the lead. MSU was down by 19 points in the first half.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 11:29 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

EARLY 2H: (2) UConn 44, (3) Michigan State 40

UConn leads Michigan State 44-40 heading into the U12 Media Timeout. Both teams are trading buckets and keeping it close. After a lopsided start by UConn, this has turned out to be a fun game.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 11:27 pm ET · David Cobb]

Half: Tennessee 34, Iowa State 33

Sixth-year senior Nate Heise had already stepped up in a big way for Iowa State during its first two NCAA Tournament games as he stacked consecutive double-digit performances for the first time all season last weekend. But he's taking it to new heights against Tennessee while continuing to thrive with Joshua Jefferson out due to an ankle injury. Heise has 14 points on 5 of 9 shooting to lead all scorers at the break. Tennessee dominated the glass in the first half while Iowa State thrived in transition while forcing 10 turnovers.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 11:21 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

EARLY 2H: (2) UConn 40, (3) Michigan State 34

After trailing by as many as 19 points, Michigan State has made this a game. MSU cut the deficit down to 1 before UConn scored five consecutive points before the media timeout.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 11:17 pm ET · David Cobb]

3:19 1H: Tennessee 30, Iowa State 26

Milan Momcilovic is finally on the board with a catch-and-shoot-3 from the right wing, but it's Nate Heise who is leading the way for the Cyclones with 11 points on 4 of 7 shooting. Rick Barnes opted to put star wing Nate Ament back in the game with two fouls. Arguably the most impactful players on this game for the Volunteers have been Jaylen Carey and Felix Okpara. The two bigs are the reason why Tennessee owns a 20-12 edge in paint points along with a 7-1 edge in offensive rebounds. Okpara also has three blocks.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 11:06 pm ET · David Cobb]

6:36 1H: Tennessee 22, Iowa State 19

Tennessee just survived a stretch that involved Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament both being off the floor at the same time as reserve wing Amari Evans drilled an unexpected 3-pointer. Ament will likely be on the bench for the rest of the half after picking up his second foul. Iowa State continues to be led by Nate Heise, but he also has two fouls. Something to note: Iowa State star Milan Momcilovic is 0 for 3 from deep. He's one of the nation's most prolific 3-point shooters, and you can't hold him down forever.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 10:56 pm ET · David Cobb]

11:53 1H: Iowa State 13, Tennessee 11

Nate Ament finally hit Tennessee's first 3-pointer at the 13:05 mark. But Killyan Toure quickly responded with one of his own to put Iowa State back ahead entering the u12 media timeout. The story of this game so far is Tennessee's missed bunnies in the lane and Nate Heise's continued stardom amid the absence of Joshua Jefferson. He's got seven points and has been brilliant throughout the NCAA Tournament.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 10:53 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

HALF: (2) UConn 35, (3) Michigan State 27

For almost the entire first half, UConn was in control. The Spartans did make a late push at the end of the half to cut the deficit to single digits after trailing by as many as 19 points in the opening half. Michigan State has made just one 3-pointer, while UConn has knocked down six. MSU is still in this game after making five of its last six field goal attempts to end the half, after UConn looked like it was going to run away with it.

The winner faces No. 1 overall seed Duke on Sunday in the Elite Eight.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 10:46 pm ET · David Cobb]

Tennessee has a 6-0 edge in offensive rebounds at the first media timeout and has attempted 10 shots as opposed to just four for Iowa State. Yet, Iowa State leads 8-4 because the Vounteers are either 1) missing bunnies in the lane or 2) settling for contested 3s late in the shot clock. Nate Heise, in the starting lineup for Joshua Jefferson, has five early points for the Cyclones.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 10:43 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

LATE 1H: (2) UConn 33, (3) Michigan State 18

UConn had led by as many as 19 points here in the opening half and is dominating on both ends of the floor. UConn has knocked down six 3-pointers, while MSU has zero. MSU is 7 of 25 from the field, while UConn is 13 of 22. The Spartans have no answers so far.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 10:18 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

MID 1H: (2) UConn 18, (3) Michigan State 6

Michigan State hasn't made a field goal in almost seven minutes, and it's 18-6 UConn with 11:58 remaining in the first half. Despite pulling down seven offensive rebounds, MSU has just two second-chance points. All UConn so far.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 10:07 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

EARLY 1H: (2) UConn 8, (3) Michigan State 4

Michigan State has missed its last six shots and trails UConn 8-4 early. UConn has knocked down two of its first three attempts from beyond the arc. MSU's scoring drought is approaching three minutes.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 10:06 pm ET · Isaac Trotter]

Michigan's elite second-half defense shows up ... again. Alabama averaged just 0.90 points per possession in the final 20 minutes, and Michigan booked its spot in the Elite Eight. Michigan outscored the Crimson Tide by 15 points in the second half, and dominated the battle on the boards. Alabama star guard Labaron Philon had a brilliant 35 points, but Michigan countered with 33 points from its bench duo of Trey McKenney and Roddy Gayle Jr.

Michigan gets the Iowa State-Tennessee winner in Sunday's Elite Eight dual.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 9:45 pm ET · Isaac Trotter]

 Tarris Reed Jr. is not on Zach Edey's level, but I wonder if Michigan State could pull out its old game plan from the Edey days for this one. Like Purdue, UConn runs all these dangerous, flowery actions often as a disguise to create leverage for its big man (Reed in this instance) to dominate on the low block without a help defender in the same zip code. 

Michigan State might be fine with that. Carson Cooper is one of the best 5-man defenders in college basketball. He's strong, mobile and smart after spending four years in the Michigan State program. The Spartans could switch everything on the perimeter -- usually the best way to handle UConn's intricate offense -- and rely on Cooper to hold up against Reed in a one-on-one tussle. 

If Cooper is winning his fair share of battles inside and Michigan State can force UConn into playing late-clock basketball, it's a win. The Huskies cannot beat Michigan State without 3s dropping against a Spartans defense that loads the paint, cuts off driving lanes and sprints back out to contest 3s. The problem? UConn just hasn't shot the basketball all that well in a while. This is a very dangerous 3-point shooting team on paper, but UConn has made double-digit treys just once in the past nine games.

It might need nine or 10 to get on the right side of this one, and it will also need Silas Demary Jr. to play like an All-Big East defender against Jeremy Fears Jr., who can get into the paint at will and could build a tent at the free-throw line against a UConn defense that fouls a ton.

Michigan State will win this game if it plays clean. That's been an issue at times, though. The Spartans have a 17% turnover rate against top-50 teams, and this UConn defense is aggressive, handsy and will try to heat up the supporting cast.

The pick: UConn

[Mar 27, 2026 at 9:40 pm ET · David Cobb]

UConn is 13-0 when Solomon Ball scores 15+ points. Among the victories were marquee wins over Florida, Kansas and Illinois. But the junior guard is coming off his first scoreless game since UConn's 2024 national title victory over Purdue. Ball logged just 13 minutes in the Huskies' second-round win, which was his fewest in a game over the past two seasons. Getting Ball going is vital for UConn.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 9:25 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

FINAL: (1) Duke 80, (5) St. John's 75

No. 1 overall seed Duke is moving on to the Elite Eight after defeating No. 5 seed St. John's 80-75. The Blue Devils will face the winner of Michigan State and UConn on Sunday in the Elite Eight. St. John's guard Dylan Darling, the hero of his team's win over Kansas last weekend, missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds that would've tied the game.

Duke improved to 6-0 this season when trailing by at least 10 points. St. John's knocked down 13 3-pointers, but it wasn't enough. The X-Factor in this game was Duke guard Caleb Foster, who scored 11 points off the bench. Foster, who hadn't played since early March due to a foot injury, helped his team get under control against a fiery St. John's press.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 9:24 pm ET · David Cobb]

12:09 2H: Michigan 70, Alabama 60

Yaxel Lendeborg is doing it all once again for Michigan as the Wolverines are off to a roaring start to begin the second half. Michigan has hit its past seven shot attempts. Lendeborg is up to 22 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals. There is nothing he cannot do, and there is nothing Alabama can do to slow him down. The Wolverines have been taking better care of the basketball as well and own an 8-0 edge in points off turnovers in the second half.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 9:20 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Free throws have been the Blue Devils' enemy -- they're 12 for 20 from the line -- but Zuby Ejiofor just missed one that could have cut it to one. Isaiah Evans headed to the stripe for Duke.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 9:14 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

What a return for Caleb Foster -- stuff bordering on movie-like. He has Duke's last four points, including a pull-up jumper and a tough layup. 11 points for the game.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 9:09 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

My goodness, what an incredible performance Cameron Boozer and Isaiah Evans are producing. Evans just hit a stepback 3, and then Boozer scored through the foul. He'll have a free throw coming out of the under-four timeout.

That duo has combined for 43 of Duke's 72 points in the game and 23 of its 33 in the second half.

[Mar 27, 2026 at 9:04 pm ET · Isaac Trotter]

The Iowa State All-American will not play against Tennessee due to his lingering ankle injury.