Winner. Takes. All.

Michigan vs. UConn for the national title

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament has been full of instant classics, overtime thrillers, joy, heartbreak, and everything in between. After nearly three weeks of madness, we're down to the final two teams.

Let's take a look.

Wolverines throttle Wildcats

In a game filled with statement-making moments, the main message was crystal clear: No. 1 seed Michigan will play for the national championship tonight in Indianapolis. In Saturday’s semifinal, the Wolverines overpowered No. 1 seed Arizona from the jump and led by as many as 30 points on their way to  a 91-73 victory . The 18-point margin matched the largest ever between 1-seeds in the NCAA tournament, and by crossing the 90-point threshold yet again, the Wolverines became the first team in history to do so in five straight March Madness games.

With Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg reduced to 14 minutes of playing time due to MCL and ankle sprains – “There’s no way I’m missing the [championship] game,” he later said – junior center Aday Mara led the Maize and Blue with a season-high 26 points and also contributed nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. As a team, Michigan drained 44% of its 3-point attempts (four from freshman Trey McKenney off the bench) and converted 14 Arizona turnovers into 26 points.

“Aday was sensational,” said Wolverines coach Dusty May. “He was a force down low. He was a pressure release up top. And obviously his rim protection — he did a great job forcing a lot of those misses around the basket because of his aggression.” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd was similarly impressed, saying the Wolverines “really had us on our heels. We never could get into a rhythm. No one's been able to do that to us all year."

Hardware in sight

A win tonight would bring Michigan its second national championship – and the first for a Big Ten team since 2000 – but it’ll require taking down another national powerhouse that’s seeking a third title in four years: Connecticut.

UConn ends Illinois' run in Final Four

To reach the final game, the No. 2 seed Huskies topped No. 3 seed Illinois in Saturday’s other national semifinal, 71-62. The Illini were stifled for the second time this season by a tough UConn defense, shooting just 23% from long distance and 34% overall from the field.

Keaton Wagler – who was named the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year before the game – capped a fantastic freshman season by leading Illinois with 20 points and eight boards; no first-year guard has reached those totals in a national semifinal game since Derrick Rose (Memphis, 2008). 

"It hurts. My gut hurts so bad right now, I feel for all of them," Illinois coach Brad Underwood said after reaching the sixth Final Four in program history but falling short of the championship game. "But I'm also excited about the joy that we brought a lot of people in this run. Getting here is really hard. Winning is really hard.”  More from Illinois .

Title game tonight

Michigan and Connecticut will tip off for the title tonight at 8:50 p.m. ET (TBS/TNT/truTV), and while the Wolverines have not faced the Huskies since 2015, there will be a familiar face on the other side of the court: center Tarris Reed, Jr., who played two seasons for Michigan before joining UConn in the fall of 2024. The senior big man has been an unstoppable force in the tournament, averaging 20.8 points and 13 rebounds over five games.

In terms of trends, UConn is 6-0 all-time in national championship games, while Michigan is 1-6 – but this season's Wolverines lead in the majority of statistical categories, including points scored, shooting percentage, rebounds, assists, and blocks.  

On the way to the final, the Huskies have defeated three Big Ten teams in the tournament by an average of 9.7 points: No. 7 seed UCLA, No. 3 seed Michigan State, and No. 3 seed Illinois. The Wolverines also topped all three (Michigan State twice) during the regular season – by an average margin of 16.5. 

Michigan coach May has called out the Huskies’ “championship DNA,” but said that while the Wolverines will have their “hands full” tonight, his “guys will be up for the challenge” in seeking the program’s first “One Shining Moment” since 1989.

Tune in to TBS tonight at 8:50 p.m. ET to watch Michigan vs. UConn in the NCAA Championship Game.

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Michigan, Illinois Battle for Championship Bids

Illini vs. Huskies, Wolverines vs. Wildcats

In Indianapolis, the Big Ten will represent half of the Final Four – and with wins by No. 1 seed Michigan and No. 3 seed Illinois tomorrow, two of the conference’s most storied rivals would meet for the national championship on Monday.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves … there are a pair of non-conference heavyweights they’ll need to get through first.

Illinois Eyes Redemption over UConn

In the opener at 6:00 p.m. ET (TBS/TNT/truTV) on Saturday, the Illini – in their first national semifinal since 2005 – will meet the 2023 and 2024 NCAA champs, No. 2 seed Connecticut. Since 2011, the Huskies have won 18 straight games in the second weekend or later in the NCAA Tournament, including Sunday’s comeback for the ages against No. 1 seed Duke. They won’t sneak up on Illinois coach Brad Underwood, who referred to the teams’  last meeting in November  – a 74-61 UConn win at Madison Square Garden – by saying, “We played them earlier in the year. We know how good they are." No Husky is hotter than senior Tarris Reed Jr., who just happened to have the most productive four-game scoring (87 points) and rebounding (54 boards) stretch of his career during the first two weekends of the tournament.

The Illini – who may also be peaking at precisely the right time – will rely on the South Region’s Most Outstanding Player, freshman guard Keaton Wagler, to set the tone; he’s averaged more than 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists over four tournament wins. One area where Illinois has a decisive advantage over UConn is at the line: the Illini are 14th in the nation with a 78% free throw success rate, while the Huskies have struggled at the charity stripe, ranking 205th and connecting on just under 72%. An Illinois win would put them in the national championship game for just the second time in program history.

Michigan Faces "Mirror Image" in Arizona

Part two of Saturday’s doubleheader (immediately after, also on TBS/TNT/truTV) will match two of the country’s highest-scoring offenses – Michigan and fellow No. 1 seed Arizona – both of whom are led by Naismith Coach of the Year finalists. Dusty May’s Wolverines are the complete package – first in the Big Ten in scoring and blocks, and second in the conference in rebounding and assists. Tommy Lloyd’s Wildcats, however, set a new program record with 36 wins this season and rank among the nation’s best in rebounding and drawing fouls; no team in Division I has earned more free throw attempts than Arizona's 1,020.

Michigan knows what they’re up against, according to coach May. “The way I look at it, there’s stylistically some differences,” he said, “but we’re almost like mirror images of each other. Hopefully, we’ll be able to use our three-point shooting as an advantage in this game.” The two teams convert from long range at roughly the same rate – Michigan has a small 36.9-36.7% edge – but the Wolverines have attempted more than 350 more shots from beyond the arc. Historically, the Wolverines have won seven of eight times they've played in the national semifinals; Arizona is 2-2 in this round all-time.

Viewing info (Saturday, April 4th):

• Illinois vs. UConn – 6 p.m. ET on TBS/TNT/truTV
• Michigan vs. Arizona – about 8:49 p.m. ET on TBS/TNT/truTV

Gophers, Scarlet Knights Wrap up at The Crown

Minnesota and Rutgers Men's Basketball were both invited to participate in the second installment of the College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas for the 2026 postseason.

Cade Tyson and Langston Reynolds each put up double digits for the Gophers on Wednesday, but Baylor's second-half 17-1 run gave the Bears all they needed to advance, 67-48. Read Minnesota's recap here .

The Scarlet Knights led for over 15 minutes of the first half in their quarterfinal matchup with Creighton, but the Bluejays came back to take a three-point lead at half, and Nik Graves' 28-point performance lifted them to the 82-69 victory. Read Rutgers' story .

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Two Tickets to the Final Four!

The Big Ten is the only conference with multiple teams heading to Indianapolis.

Elite Eight Recap

21 Years in the Making for the Illini, Iowa's Dream Ends

A broken horn may have delayed the game, but what’s 11 minutes when you’ve waited 21 years? For the first time since 2005, No. 3 seed Illinois has advanced to the Final Four, topping Big Ten rival No. 9 Iowa, 71-59, in Houston on Saturday. The Fighting Illini overcame an early 12-2 deficit and – after closing the gap to four at halftime – used their size to take over on the glass with a 17-rebound advantage and net 20 of the game’s final 28 points.

All-American freshman Keaton Wagler led Illinois with 25 points, Andrej Stojakovic contributed 17 from the bench, and with a dozen boards, David Mirkovic reached double figures for the third time in four tournament games; all three were named to the South All-Region Team.

After cutting down the nets for the sixth time in program history, Illinois coach Brad Underwood said it was “better than [he] ever dreamt it would be,” and Wagler made sure to point out that there is still work to do in Indianapolis, noting that while he “dreamed of this when [he] was growing up… we’re not done yet.” The Illini will meet UConn on Saturday for a berth in next Monday’s national championship game.   Read the Illinois recap .

Senior Bennett Stirtz scored 15 for Iowa and was also added to the South All-Region team after leading the Hawkeyes to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1987. Stirtz closed out the season with 734 points, the fourth-highest total in program history.

Michigan Routs Vols to Earn Final Four Trip

Just two years after one of the program’s worst seasons, head coach Dusty May has led Michigan to the Final Four for the ninth time in program history and third time since 2013. The No. 1 seed Wolverines routed No. 6 seed Tennessee 95-62 on Sunday and became the first school to win four games in an NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament by double digits while scoring 90+ points in each.

The game was close early, with Tennessee holding a 16-14 lead almost midway through the first half. After that… the game became a different story. In what can best be described as a five-minute avalanche, Michigan went on a 21-0 run and, for all intents and purposes, buried the Vols. By halftime, the Wolverines led by 22, and they won by 33.

Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg was at his best and most versatile once again – scoring 27 points to go along with seven rebounds, four assists, and two blocks – and earned Midwest Region Most Outstanding Player honors.

The perfect complement to a dynamic offense? A stifling defense. The Wolverines held the Vols to just 32% shooting from the field, including a paltry 19% from range. That combination of offense and defense will be needed in the Final Four against top seed Arizona.

“We have a sign in our locker room that says, 'April habits,'" said May after the game . "Since this group got together this summer, we've been trying to develop championship habits that would allow us to turn the calendar into April and continue playing games."

Read more from Michigan .

Purdue and Beloved Senior Class Say Farewell

In San Jose on Saturday, the regional final also marked the end of the road for No. 2 seed Purdue, who  fell to No. 1 seed Arizona, 79-64 . Boilermaker Braden Smith finished his legendary college career as the only player in NCAA history to produce at least 1,500 points, 1,000 assists and 500 rebounds, running his all-time record assist total to 1,103.

Purdue's senior class, which featured Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, and Fletcher Loyer, finished their careers with a 117-32 record, setting the school record for most wins by a senior class. The group also won four Big Ten titles (two regular season and two tournament), reached the 2024 National Championship Game and two Sweet 16s.

Four Advance to the Elite Eight

Last-Second Tip Sends Purdue to Elite Meeting with Arizona

With time winding down on a tie game, No. 2 seed Purdue was set for the last possession in regulation against No. 11 seed Texas. Going for the game-winner, Braden Smith drove to the basket, laid one up, and... it bounced off rim. Purdue fans all took a sharp breath in... before Trey Kaufman-Renn leapt up and tipped in the rebound with just 0.7 left on the clock.

The Longhorns' last-chance heave fell short. The buzzer sounded, and the Boilers advanced, 79-77.

The teams traded baskets and chances throughout the contest, especially in the final minute. But ultimately, head coach Matt Painter's emphasis on second-chance shots came through in the Boilermakers' biggest moment of the season.

“It’s those tip-ins at the end of the games,” Kaufman-Renn said. “[Coach Painter] said that my four years here, so it’s kind of cool to experience that.” Purdue's full recap here .

The Big Ten Tournament Champions now face the Big 12 Champions when Purdue takes on No. 1 seed Arizona in the Elite Eight, who dispatched of No. 4 seed Arkansas, 109-88, in the previous round. The Boilers will need to keep pace (or limit) a 13th-ranked Wildcat offense that averages over 86 points per game, led by Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley, Six Player of the Year Tobe Awaka, and Coach of the Year Tommy Lloyd.

Hawkeyes Return to Elite Eight after Nearly Four Decades

For the first time since 1987, No. 9 seed Iowa is headed to the Elite Eight after defeating No. 4 Nebraska, 77-71. The Huskers controlled most of the first half, going on 12-2 and 6-0 runs, but the Hawkeyes responded each time. Double-digit first-half performances from Bennett Stirtz and Tate Sage cut the deficit to 46-43 at halftime. Iowa tied the game twice in the second half before Stirtz gave the Hawkeyes their first lead of the game, 68-65, with under two minutes remaining. Alvaro Folgueiras scored the final five points of the game to seal the win in the final seconds to make the Hawkeyes the lowest-seeded Big Ten team to make the Elite Eight since 1979.

Oh – and Iowa has made all this history in Ben McCollum's first year at the helm.

"I know it sounds cliché, but just focus on the moment right now, and not looking past, not looking ahead, just taking one foot in front of the other," said McCollum. "Honestly, done celebrating already and on to the next." Read more from Iowa .

Nebraska concludes an epic season that included the program's best start, first NCAA Tournament wins, first Sweet 16 appearance, and a record 28 total victories.

"[Nebraska] completely turned everything around from the previous season, and they have absolutely nothing to hang their heads about," said McCollum. I have the utmost respect for them, all their players, and especially Coach Hoiberg. Heck of a season." Concluding notes from the Huskers .

Huge Second-Half Spurs Illini to Elite Eight

The No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini used the longest run allowed by the Cougars over the last eight seasons (17-0) to close out a defensive, 65-55 victory over No. 2 seed Houston in Houston. After a first half where both teams posted season lows scoring, the Illini came alive in the second, posting 41 points behind double-doubles from Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic. The Cougars never pulled within closer than seven points after 11:54. The win gives the Orange and Blue their second Elite Eight appearance in a three-year span under head coach Brad Underwood. More from Illinois .

"I thought our defense was outstanding... We made shots hard for them," Underwood said. "Excited to be moving on. That's what we came here to do, and we're very fortunate that we beat a great team tonight and get to move on."

As for the environment and what was essentially supposed to be an away game? Keaton Wagler said, "I heard our fans more than their fans." They'll need to show out again in the next round...

Iowa vs. Illinois for a Final Four Bid

The Big Ten Conference is guaranteed at least one Final Four team now that Iowa and Illinois are set to clash in the Elite Eight on Saturday at 6:09 p.m. ET on TBS/truTV/HBOMax. The teams squared off in mid-January when Illinois outlasted a late Hawkeye push to win 75-69 in Iowa City. Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell, and Andrej Stojakovic all finished in double-digits in the win and led by as many as 18 after Iowa got out to a slow start.

But this is a reformed Iowa squad that's feeling the March magic and playing in peak form. The Hawkeyes downed defending NCAA Champion Florida and a historic Nebraska team, and they've proven their ability to come through in close games. Iowa will need that same clutch gene against a lockdown, Illinois defense coming off one of the most marquee wins in the Brad Underwood era. Both teams will be determined from tip-off to buzzer tomorrow night.

Michigan Dominates in Second Half

After a high-scoring first half that saw No. 1 seed Michigan trailing 49-47, the Wolverines defense put the clamps down on the top scoring offense in the country and advanced to the Elite Eight.

In the second half, Michigan outscored Alabama 43-28 while Yaxel Lendeborg made his presence felt. Lendeborg led the Wolverines with a 23-point, 12-assist double-double alongside three other Wolverines in double figures.

"Overwhelmed with joy," said the Big Ten Player of the Year. "This is pretty much a dream come true."

Michigan not only advanced to the Elite Eight with the win, but the team also set a program record with its 34th win of the season. More from the Wolverines .

Next up, Michigan plays for a trip to the Final Four in Indianapolis against No. 6 seed Tennessee, fresh off knocking off Iowa State.

Michigan State's Run Ends

No. 3 seed Michigan State trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half and even took the lead midway through the second half, but the Spartans' bid for a historic comeback came up short against No. 2 UConn, 67-63.

"I think it showed their true character by coming back like we did against a really good team," said head coach Tom Izzo.

Senior Carson Cooper led the Spartans with 14 points, while Coen Carr and Jeremy Fears Jr. notched 13, and Jaxon Kohler scored 12. The recap from Michigan State .

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NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Teams

Conference-record six Big Ten teams advance to third round

A conference-record six Big Ten teams are still on the road to an NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament title after advancing to the Sweet Sixteen – the most of any conference in the country. Catch the updates from every Big Ten team below.

Wolverines "Earn the Right" to the Sweet 16

No. 1 seed Michigan stormed into the Sweet Sixteen on Saturday, overpowering No. 9 seed Saint Louis  in a 95-72 win . All five starters scored in double figures for the Wolverines, who were led by Yaxel Lendeborg’s 25 points and won the game in all facets, shooting over 55% from the field, knocking down 11 threes, pulling in 42 rebounds, and blocking nine shots. Four of the blocks came courtesy of junior Aday Mara, who is now just one away from equaling the school’s single-season record of 97.

After the game, Michigan coach Dusty May looked back on two dominant wins in Buffalo and ahead to the next round: “We looked more determined, we looked more comfortable. We've earned the right to go to Chicago and hopefully pack that thing with Michigan fans and see where it goes.”

On deck for the Wolverines: a date with No. 4 Alabama in Chicago on Friday. The Crimson Tide rolled into their fourth straight Sweet Sixteen by destroying No. 5 Texas Tech, 90-65, and connected on 31 3-pointers in the first two rounds of the tournament. Alabama owned the nation’s highest-scoring offense this season, led by playmaker Labaron Philon Jr., who posted an average of 21.6 points and 5 assists per game.

Fears Breaks Magic Johnson's Record en Route to Third Round

Jeremy Fears Jr.’s (sweet) 16 assists helped No. 3 seed Michigan State advance to the NCAA Tournament’s second weekend for the second consecutive year with a  77-69 win over No. 6 seed Louisville .

Fears, who broke Magic Johnson’s 48-year-old school record for most assists in a March Madness game, took the modest route, saying his “teammates are making the shots, they're doing the hard part – I'm just giving them the ball." Junior Coen Carr led the four Spartans who scored in double figures with 21 points and 10 rebounds – his first-ever double-double – as Tom Izzo clinched the 17th Sweet Sixteen appearance of his Hall of Fame coaching career.

Next for Michigan State: a trip to the nation’s capital to face No. 2 UConn on Friday. The 2023 and 2024 champion Huskies have won 15 of their last 16 NCAA tournament games and feature five players with scoring averages in double figures – including senior forward Alex Karaban, who dropped a career-high 27 in UConn’s second round win over UCLA.

Illinois' Big Win Sets up Meeting with Cougars

Head coach Brad Underwood notched his 300th career victory as No. 3 seed Illinois punched its ticket to the Sweet Sixteen for the second time in three years with  a 76-55 win over No. 11 seed Virginia Commonwealth . The Rams, who authored the biggest comeback in first round history against No. 6 seed North Carolina on Thursday, were not able to work the same magic against the Illini, who trailed for a total of 24 seconds in the game and held VCU’s shooters under 35% from the field.

Junior forward Andrej Stojakovic came off the bench for Illinois to lead all players with 21, and Tomislav Ivisic contributed his third double-double of the season (14 points, 11 rebounds). Of Stojakovic, coach Underwood said “Drej has just found a niche. I am so comfortable with him knowing we have got one of our best offensive players coming in off the bench. He proved again tonight defensively, he is good on that end as well.”

The Illini –  who outscored their two opponents in Greenville by 56 total points – will head south for a true road game in the Regional Semifinals on Thursday, as they’re scheduled to face No. 2 seed Houston in the Toyota Center. The Cougars – runners-up in last year’s tournament – enjoyed a similarly dominant first two rounds, dispatching No. 15 Idaho and No. 10 Texas A&M by a combined 62 points.

Nebraska "Finds a Way" to Its First Sweet 16

Two days after producing the program’s first NCAA tournament win in history, No. 4 seed Nebraska doubled its total by using every second allotted to  defeat No. 5 seed Vanderbilt, 74-72 , in a game that proved the meaning of “March Madness.”

The well-balanced Huskers, who led by as many as 10 points, fell behind late in the second half before Rienk Mast (13 points and 5 rebounds) tied it up with 37 seconds to go. A key defensive rebound by Pryce Sandfort (15 points and 5 rebounds) in the final 10 seconds set up Braden Frager (15 points and 5 rebounds off the bench) to drive through the lane and give Big Red a two-point lead with 2.2 to go. Nebraska’s first trip to the Sweet Sixteen was secured when Commodore Tayler Tanner’s last-second prayer went unanswered from beyond half-court.

After the Huskers’ record 28th win of the season, coach Fred Hoiberg said he was “speechless” at the end of the game and that his team “did a great job keeping their poise and finding a way to make big plays when we needed them.”

The Huskers will look to continue making history on Thursday in Houston, where they’ll face No. 9 seed Iowa for the third time this season. The Big Ten foes split their earlier two meetings, with the home team winning both times. In the regular season finale two weeks ago, Nebraska’s Pryce Sandfort – who transferred from Iowa – contributed 15 points in an 84-75 Big Red overtime victory.

Third Straight Third Round for Purdue, Seniors Eye History vs. Texas

For the seventh time in nine years, the second-seeded Purdue Boilermakers are headed to the Sweet 16 courtesy of a 79-69 win over No. 7 seed Miami. After Braden Smith broke Bobby Hurley's NCAA career assists record in the first round, he recorded 12 points and eight assists to help Purdue past the Hurricanes. But it wasn't easy – Miami's defense was ruthless and forced Smith into a career-high eight turnovers.

“We have good balance, and Braden is the guy that makes us go,” said head coach Matt Painter. “I know he’s frustrated, but we were able to win and advance, and now we can play another day.”

Loyer, the school's all-time leader in career three-pointers, netted four triples en route to a team-leading 24 point performance. He and the rest of his class (Trey Kaufman-Renn, Smith) set the school record for most career NCAA Tournament wins (nine) and tied the program's mark for wins by a senior class (116). Read Purdue's story .

To break that record, the Boilers have to make their way past No. 11 seed Texas, who stunned No. 3 seed Gonzaga in the second round on Saturday. To down the Longhorns, Purdue will need to stop dynamic duo Matas Vokietaitis and Jordan Pope, who combined for 34 points in the victory over the Bulldogs.

Iowa topples top-seeded Florida on game-winning three

The No. 9 seed Iowa Hawkeyes punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 in dramatic fashion, taking down defending champion Florida on a go-ahead three-pointer with just four seconds remaining.

After Iowa built a 23-13 lead, the Gators battled back to cut the Hawkeyes' edge down to two at halftime. Florida then went on a 21-7 spurt take a four-point lead with under six minutes to go. The teams traded blows before senior Bennett Stirtz nailed a jumper to make it a one-point game with under a minute left, and junior Alvaro Folgueiras etched his name into March Madness lore with the game-winning three .

"It's been special. We've been through a lot of moments this season, and I've been through a lot of moments in my life," Folgueiras said. "March is for the dreamers, and there is no better dreamer than us."

Head coach Ben McCollum praised his team post-game. "They fight. They compete. They stick with it. They exemplify everything that we've wanted in Iowa basketball. They've established the foundation that we've desperately needed and couldn't be any more proud of them.” Iowa's story here .

Next up? That history-making Nebraska team. Both squads seem to have the magic of March behind them. Which Big Ten squad will earn a spot in the Elite Eight? We'll find out Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on TBS/truTV.

Bruins fall to Huskies

Despite four Bruins finishing in double figures, No. 7 seed UCLA fell to No. 2 seed UConn, 73-57 , in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and the programs' second all-time meeting. UCLA pulled within four with just under seven minutes to go, but the Huskies responded with a 15-3 run to close out the game.

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NCAA Tournament First-Round Update

Big Ten scores through Thursday, March 19th

The Drought is OVER!

Husker history was made in Oklahoma City on Thursday when No. 4 seed Nebraska earned its first-ever win in the NCAA Men’s Tournament , 76-47 over No. 13-seed Troy. Tied at 15 midway through the first half, the Cornhuskers took over, building a 16-point lead by the break and never looking back. Junior Pryce Sandfort connected on seven shots from beyond the arc to lead all players with 23 points. “I hit a couple early,” Sandfort said. “I felt really locked in in warmups. I give credit to my teammates, coaches putting me in the right spots, giving me the ball on time, on target.”

In addition to ending an 0-8 streak in the Big Dance, the Huskers’ 27th win of the season set a new program record. “Just really proud of these guys,” coach Fred Hoiberg said. “Happy to get this win for the first one in the history of the program. Most wins in a single season in the history of the program. But we can’t be satisfied.”

They’ll be back on the court tomorrow in OKC to face No. 5 seed Vanderbilt in the second round.

Spartans Fire on All Cylinders in First-Round Victory

No. 3 seed Michigan State cruised to a 92-67 win over No. 14 seed North Dakota in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Making full use of their size advantage, the Spartans scored 44 points in the paint which also opened up the three, where they shot 50%. Senior center Carson Cooper tied his career high with 20 points in addition to 10 boards, and Coen Carr added 17 points too.

“When we’re clicking, I think we’re really hard to beat” said point guard Jeremy Fears, who dished out 11 of the team’s 26 assists (a program record for the NCAA Tournament).

Next, Michigan State takes on No. 6 seed Louisville, who slid by No. 11 South Florida, 83-79. The Spartans and Cardinals have actually squared off four times previously in the NCAA Tournament, the last meeting coming in 2015 where Michigan State outlasted Louisville in overtime to advance to the Final Four. Tip-off is slated for Saturday at 2:45 p.m. ET on CBS.

Michigan’s Historic Shooting Night Keys Victory

After an anxious start that saw No. 1 seed Michigan up by just four at halftime against No. 16 seed Howard, the Wolverines turned it on in the second half and triumphed, 101-80 . Michigan’s offense was rolling all night with five players in double figures, led by Morez Johnson Jr.’s 21. The Maize and Blue also shot a blistering 67.3% from the field, the highest mark in an NCAA Tournament since Villanova shot 71.4% in the 2016 Final Four.

But the defense is what made the difference in the second half. After the Bison scored 46 points in the first half on 51.5% shooting, Michigan buckled down and held them to 34 points on just 33.3% shooting in the second stanza.

The Wolverines next face ninth-seeded Saint Louis in the second round, who impressed with a 102-77 rout of No. 8 Georgia in the first round. Much like Michigan, the Billikens get scoring throughout their lineup with four players averaging double figures this season, led by Internet sensation Robbie Avila’s 12.9 points per game. The matchup will begin Saturday’s second-round schedule at 12:10 p.m. ET on CBS.

Mirkovic Goes Off in Rout of Penn

No. 3 seed Illinois broke an NCAA Tournament program record with 105 points in its 105-70 victory over No. 14 seed Penn . The night belonged to freshman forward David Mirkovic, who posted a 29-point, 17-rebound double-double for the Illini. His 17 boards also set an NCAA Tournament program record.

In all, five Illini players were in double figures. Big Ten Freshman of the Year Keaton Wagler posted 18 points, seven assists and seven rebounds, while also holding Quakers star TJ Power to just six points on 2-of-8 shooting. Power scored 44 points in the Ivy League Tournament title game four days ago.

Next up for Illinois: a potentially dangerous date with No. 11 VCU. The Rams look to be an early candidate for this year’s Cinderella after they overcame a 19-point second-half deficit to stun No. 6 North Carolina in overtime . The Fighting Illini will look to turn the clock to midnight when they face VCU Saturday at 7:50 p.m. ET on CBS.

Buckeyes, Badgers Bow Out

Both No. 8 seed Ohio State and No. 5 Wisconsin fell in the first round in one-possession games.

After a slow start put them down 15 at the half against No. 9 TCU, the Buckeyes came storming back in the second half to tie it. But an Xavier Edmonds layup with 4.3 left for the Horned Frogs proved to be the difference in a 66-64 loss.

The Badgers went basket for basket with No. 12 seed High Point University late in their first-round game until Chase Johnston’s layup with 11.7 seconds left gave the Panthers the 83-82 victory over Wisconsin. Nick Boyd (27 points) and John Blackwell (22 points and 10 rebounds) starred once again for the Badgers.

Get all of the viewing info for the next games !

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NCAA Tournament First-Round Previews

It's officially the most wonderful time of the year for college basketball fans. The bracket is set, and 68 teams are hitting the road for the first-round games of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

The Big Ten Conference is sending nine teams to the Big Dance, marking the third time the league has reached the mark. The Madness tips off tomorrow. Scroll down for the bracket and the Big Ten's first-round matchups.

No. 1 seed Michigan vs. winner of No. 16 seeds UMBC/Howard

The Wolverines earned a top seed in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in program history, entering with a 31-3 overall record after winning the Big Ten Championship. Their only three losses came to No. 1 seed Duke, No. 2 seed Purdue, and No. 5 seed Wisconsin.

Michigan's first-round matchup will be against the winner of the First Four game between UMBC and Howard in Buffalo, NY. The Wolverines have met (and defeated) both teams once. UMBC is dancing for the first time since 2018 after winning the America East Tournament, while Howard won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament to make its fifth-ever appearance. As long as the Wolverines stay locked in and play their game, we should see them in the second round. Read Michigan's full preview .

No. 2 seed Purdue vs. No. 15 seed Queens (N.C.)

Big Ten Tournament Champion Purdue is competing in the NCAA Tournament as a top-four seed for the ninth straight time. The Boilers enter with a 27-8 record and 17 wins against Quad 1 and Quad 2 teams, including one over No. 1 seed Michigan in the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament. Oh – and Braden Smith is just two assists shy of breaking the NCAA's all-time record.

The Boilermakers start their postseason run against No. 15 seed Queens, who has qualified for the NCAA Tournament in its first year of eligibility after transitioning from Division II and winning the ASUN Tournament. Smith and company may have their hands full with a Royals squad with six players averaging double figures. Check out Purdue's story .

No. 3 seed Illinois vs. No. 14 seed Penn

The Fighting Illini are a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in six years under head coach Brad Underwood and will take on Ivy League Tournament Champion and No. 14 seed Penn. The Quakers are led by former Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery.

These two haven't met since 2001, and the Orange and Blue have won every meeting since 1947, including the 2000 NCAA Tournament. Keaton Wagler and the Illini certainly have all the tools they need to handle Penn, but they can't underestimate a Quaker squad coming hot off a championship-winning overtime thriller. More from Illinois .

No. 3 seed Michigan State vs. No. 14 seed North Dakota State

The Spartans extended the longest NCAA Tournament appearance streak in Big Ten history to 28 and will take on Summit League Champion North Dakota State. Iconic head coach Tom Izzo hopes his team still understands how special the accomplishment is.

"It's an exciting time," Izzo said. "We used to be one of those teams sitting on the edge of our seats, cheering, yelling, screaming and excited that we got into the tournament. I hope our fans and our players realize that it's still an accomplishment — a big accomplishment — and it's fun to feel that way." MSU's preview here .

No. 4 seed Nebraska vs. No. 13 seed Troy

The Cornhuskers earned their highest NCAA seed since 1991 after a record-breaking season under Big Ten Coach of the Year Fred Hoiberg (selected by coaches). They take on Sun Belt Tournament Champion Troy in the first round in Oklahoma City, and it'll be the first ever meeting between the two programs.

Nebraska looks to improve on a season where it already matched its school record in wins (26) and recorded its highest conference finish since the 1992-93 season. The key will be getting through the Trojans' defense, who has held five of its last seven opponents to under 70 points. Read more from the Huskers .

No. 5 seed Wisconsin vs. No. 12 seed High Point

Big Ten All-Tournament honorees Nick Boyd, John Blackwell and the Badgers face Big South Conference Tournament winner High Point, who they've never played. Wisconsin is just one of five schools to appear in 25 of the last 27 NCAA Tournaments. After a couple record-breaking performances in the Big Ten Tournament, the Badgers are poised to make some noise on collegiate basketball's biggest stage, but they'll need to be ready against a High Point team currently on the nation's longest win streak (14). More from UW .

No. 7 seed UCLA vs. No. 10 seed UCF

The Bruins made an impression in Chicago with a run to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament, earning a No. 7 seed in the Big Dance. UCLA has won six of its last eight games heading into its matchup with UCF, and will have an opportunity to roll its offense through a Black Knights team that allows 78.5 points per game to its opponents. If the Bruins can find a way to lock down UCF's explosive offense (81 points per game), they'll move on to face the winner of No. 2 seed UConn/No. 15 seed Furman. We hope to see Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent back on the court. More from UCLA .

No. 8 seed Ohio State vs. No. 9 seed TCU

Bruce Thornton and the Buckeyes head to South Carolina to take on the Horned Frogs in their fifth all-time meeting, their first postseason matchup, and their first contest since 1969. OSU returns to the Big Dance for the first time since 2022 behind a 21-12 season and a Big Ten Tournament semifinal run. Ohio State and one of the Big Ten's top-five scorers will need to be ready to go against a TCU team that has three top-10 wins this season. More from OSU .

No. 9 seed Iowa vs. No. 8 seed Clemson

The Hawkeyes also return to the tournament for the first time since 2023 under first-year head coach Ben McCollum, who is the first Iowa head coach to lead the program to an NCAA Tournament appearance in year one since 1988. Iowa makes its 30th all-time showing against No. 8 seed Clemson, who finished fourth in the ACC and fell to Duke in the tournament semifinals. We'll see if Bennett Stirtz can lift the Hawkeyes to a win on the sport's biggest stage. Iowa's preview here .

Let the Madness Begin

March Madness brings the kind of basketball that sports fans live for. Goosebumps-enducing moments, Cinderella stories, and deep tournament runs that leave your voice horse for days. Come back here for updates, and don't miss a moment of the Big Ten's battles – Click here for tournament updates, and tell us who you root for.

Bracket courtesy of NCAA.com. See the full interactive bracket here .