With only a handful of teams remaining in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, the Elite Eight round of the March Madness competition is about to commence. The top teams that advanced out of the Sweet 16 of March Madness will now take to the court for a chance to move deeper into the tournament as they fight for a chance at the Final Four.
Here’s everything to know about the March Madness Elite Eight schedule and matchups.
The Top Eight Teams Advancing to the Elite Eight Round
GettyTAMPA, FLORIDA – MARCH 22: Alvaro Folgueiras #7 of the Iowa Hawkeyes dribbles the ball against Rueben Chinyelu #9 of the Florida Gators during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
The eight teams which advanced out of the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 March Madness Tournament during the games played on Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27 include:
- No. 3 seed Illinois
- No. 9 seed Iowa
- No. 1 seed Arizona
- No. 2 seed Purdue
- No. 1 seed Michigan
- No. 6 seed Tennessee
- No. 1 seed Duke
- No. 2 seed UConn
March Madness Elite Eight – Full Schedule of Games
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 27: Isaiah Evans #3 of the Duke Blue Devils drives to the rim against the St. John’s Red Storm during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Saturday, March 28, 2026
- Elite Eight Game 1: Illinois vs Iowa – 6:09 PM ET / 5:09 PM CT / 3:09 PM PT
- Elite Eight Game 2: Arizona vs Purdue – 8:49 PM ET / 7:49 PM CT / 5:49 PM
The first and second games of the Elite Eight round of the 2026 March Madness Tournament can be viewed through the official NCAA broadcast partner for the games on TBS/truTV
Sunday, March 29, 2026
- Elite Eight Game 3: Michigan vs Tennessee – 2:15 PM ET / 1:15 PM CT / 11:15 AM PT
- Elite Eight Game 4: Duke vs UConn – 5:05 PM ET / 4:05 PM CT / 2:05 PM PT
The third and fourth games of the Elite Eight round of the 2026 March Madness Tournament can be viewed through the official NCAA broadcast partner for the games on CBS.
Preview: Developments for Duke During the Sweet 16 Round of March Madness
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 27: Caleb Foster #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the second half against the St. John’s Red Storm in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Sweet 16 round of game play between the Duke Blue Devils and St. John’s Red Storm saw Caleb Foster return to the court following several missed games and practice sessions due to a fracture in his right foot. Patrick Ngongba has also returned following a lower limb injury of his own. The two players, while not at full capacity, put additional pressure on the UConn Huskies in the primetime matchup between two of the top seeded teams still remaining in the tournament.
Preview: Iowa is a Cinderella Story of the 2026 NCAA March Madness Tournament
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 26: Bennett Stirtz #14 of the Iowa Hawkeyes shoots the ball against Pryce Sandfort #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Toyota Center on March 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Even though The University of Texas Longhorns made it all the way through to the Sweet 16 round of the competition, it has been the continued advancement of the Iowa basketball team that has garnered the most significant attention as this year’s Cinderella story. Responding to questions about his team’s designation as the 2026 Cinderella narrative during a media appearance, Iowa head coach Ben McCollum said, “Maybe they should’ve seeded us better. nah, I’m just kidding. They seeded us right where we should [be].”
Keep following Heavy Sports for continued coverage of the 2026 NCAA March Madness Tournament, including live updates, results, and exclusive content.
March Madness Elite Eight – Full Schedule, Results & How to Watch