Sweet 16 predictions: Experts pick who will advance in March Madness bracket Matthew Glenesk, USA TODAYMon, March 23, 2026 at 10:06 AM UTC 0 Sweet 16 predictions: Experts pick who will advance in March Madness bracket How's your bracket looking? Probably not so bad if you picked all the favorites. But there were a few surprises in the Men's NCAA Tournament first two rounds, the biggest being No. 9 Iowa taking down defending champion Florida. That result means we won't get a second straight Final Four with all No. 1 seeds.
Sweet 16 predictions: Experts pick who will advance in March Madness bracket
Matthew Glenesk, USA TODAYMon, March 23, 2026 at 10:06 AM UTC
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Sweet 16 predictions: Experts pick who will advance in March Madness bracket
How's your bracket looking?
Probably not so bad if you picked all the favorites.
But there were a few surprises in the Men's NCAA Tournament first two rounds, the biggest being No. 9 Iowa taking down defending champion Florida.
That result means we won't get a second straight Final Four with all No. 1 seeds. So who will reach Indianapolis? First things first, who will in this week's Sweet 16?
USA TODAY Sports staff made their picks. Check them out below:
1 / 0Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upsetIowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) celebrates after a play against the Florida Gators in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.SOUTH REGION (in Houston)Nebraska vs Iowa prediction
No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Iowa, 7:30 p.m. (TBS/truTV)
Blake Toppmeyer: Nebraska
Paul Myerberg: Nebraska
Jordan Mendoza: Nebraska
Matt Glenesk: Nebraska
Craig Meyer: Iowa
John Leuzzi: Nebraska
Austin Curtright: Iowa
Ehsan Kassim: Nebraska
Houston vs Illinois prediction
No. 2 Houston vs. No. 3 Illinois, 10:05 p.m. (TBS/truTV)
Blake Toppmeyer: Houston
Paul Myerberg: Houston
Jordan Mendoza: Houston
Matt Glenesk: Houston
Craig Meyer: Houston
John Leuzzi: Illinois
Austin Curtright: Houston
Ehsan Kassim: Illinois
WEST REGION (at San Jose)Purdue vs Texas prediction
No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 11 Texas, 7:10 p.m. (CBS)
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Blake Toppmeyer: Purdue
Paul Myerberg: Purdue
Jordan Mendoza: Purdue
Matt Glenesk: Purdue
Craig Meyer: Purdue
John Leuzzi: Purdue
Austin Curtright: Purdue
Ehsan Kassim: Texas
Arkansas vs Arizona prediction
No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 4 Arkansas, 9:45 p.m. (CBS)
Blake Toppmeyer: Arizona
Paul Myerberg: Arizona
Jordan Mendoza: Arizona
Matt Glenesk: Arkansas
Craig Meyer: Arkansas
John Leuzzi: Arizona
Austin Curtright: Arizona
Ehsan Kassim: Arkansas
1 / 0See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities
A Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleader practices before the game during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.
MIDWEST REGION (in Chicago)Michigan vs Alabama prediction
No 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Michigan 7:35 p.m. (TBS/truTV)
Blake Toppmeyer: Michigan
Paul Myerberg: Michigan
Jordan Mendoza: Michigan
Matt Glenesk: Michigan
Craig Meyer: Michigan
John Leuzzi: Michigan
Austin Curtright: Michigan
Ehsan Kassim: Alabama
Iowa State vs Tennessee prediction
No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 6 Tennessee, 10:10 p.m. (TBS/truTV)
Blake Toppmeyer: Tennessee
Paul Myerberg: Iowa State
Jordan Mendoza: Iowa State
Matt Glenesk: Tennessee
Craig Meyer: Tennessee
John Leuzzi: Iowa State
Austin Curtright: Iowa State
Ehsan Kassim: Tennessee
EAST REGION (at Washington D.C.)Duke vs St. John's prediction
No. 1 Duke vs. No. 5 St. John's, 7:10 p.m. (CBS)
Blake Toppmeyer: Duke
Paul Myerberg: St. John's
Jordan Mendoza: Duke
Matt Glenesk: St. John's
Craig Meyer: Duke
John Leuzzi: Duke
Austin Curtright: Duke
Ehsan Kassim: Duke
Michigan State vs UConn prediction
No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Michigan State, 9:45 p.m. (CBS)
Blake Toppmeyer: Michigan State
Paul Myerberg: Michigan State
Jordan Mendoza: Michigan State
Matt Glenesk: Michigan State
Craig Meyer: UConn
Austin Curtright: Michigan State
Ehsan Kassim: UConn
John Leuzzi: UConn
Sweet 16 schedule: Game tip times, dates
THURSDAY, MARCH 26
7:10 p.m.: No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 11 Texas (West), CBS
7:30 p.m.: No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Iowa (South), TBS/truTV
9:45 p.m.: No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 4 Arkansas (West), CBS
10:05 p.m.: No. 2 Houston vs. No. 3 Illinois (South), TBS/truTV
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
7:10 p.m.: No. 1 Duke vs. No. 5 St. John's (East), CBS
7:35 p.m.: Texas Tech/Alabama winner vs. No. 1 Michigan (Midwest), TBS/truTV
9:45 p.m.: No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Michigan State (East), CBS
10:10 p.m.: No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 6 Tennessee (Midwest), TBS/truTV
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness predictions: Sweet 16 expert picks for NCAA bracket
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Published: March 23, 2026 at 12:27PM on Source: MORNING MAG
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