A look at the key March Madness 2026 games to watch Sunday:
7 Miami (Fla.) vs. 2 Purdue
12:10 p.m., CBS
The Boilermakers, who lost in the title game two years ago, have a chance to make a third consecutive Sweet 16 with a win against the Hurricanes.
It would only be fitting if that happens for Braden Smith (25 points in the first round) and Purdue, which opened as the preseason No. 1.
But Miami eliminated Missouri behind 24 points from Malik Reneau — and has remained one of the best turnaround stories this season.
7 Kentucky vs. 2 Iowa State
2:45 p.m., CBS
Otega Oweh’s buzzer-beating heave to force overtime against Santa Clara will make a cameo in “One Shining Moment,” but the Wildcats must now avoid a hangover. The status of Joshua Jefferson, the Cyclones star who exited with a sprained left ankle, looms over an Iowa State team capable of making a deep run with him in the lineup.
6 Tennessee vs. 3 Virginia
6:10 p.m., TNT
If the Volunteers reach the Sweet 16, it will mark their fourth consecutive second-weekend appearance under Rick Barnes. Ja’Kobi Gillespie looked like a March Madness star with 29 points as Tennessee knocked out Miami (Ohio) before it could become a true Cinderella.
The Cavaliers are trying to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since Tony Bennett’s retirement, and Jacari White’s 26 points off the bench saved them against Wright State.
9 Utah State vs. 1 Arizona
7:50 p.m., truTV
The vibes were great during Utah State’s tournament-opening win against Villanova — and if Kevin Willard fires his staff, blame the Aggies. But now comes a daunting task against Arizona, which remains a title contender behind Brayden Burries and Koa Peat.
What happens when the best offense in the Mountain West collides with the best offense in the Big 12?
7 UCLA vs. 2 UConn
8:45 p.m., TNT
The most entertaining part of this showdown might be monitoring which animated coach — the Bruins’ Mick Cronin or the Huskies’ Dan Hurley — gets a technical foul first. Beyond that, UCLA must figure out how to stop center Tarris Reed Jr., who collected 31 points and an astonishing 27 rebounds Friday.
5 Texas Tech vs. 4 Alabama
9:45 p.m., TBS
Alabama survived an upset bid by Hofstra without star Aden Holloway. Can Alabama reach the second weekend without him?
Without JT Toppin after he tore his ACL, the Red Raiders avoided the 5-12 trap as four starters recorded at least 14 points and Josiah Moseley led everyone with a career-high 26 off the bench.
