March Madness 2026 live bracket updates: Scores, analysis for men's Sweet 16 games

Key Points:

• St. John's is outperforming its season average in 3-point shooting, hitting 47% (8 for 17) compared to Duke's 33%, with key players Ruben Prey and Dylan Darling both perfect from deep so far. Duke leads 39-37 late in the first half.
• Alabama, back in the Sweet 16, is leveraging a fast-paced offense focused on 3-point shooting and offensive rebounding, posting some of their best offensive rebounding rates recently; they aim to force turnovers against Michigan to capitalize on transition opportunities.
• Michigan is favored over Alabama due to its dominance in the paint and on the boards, with size and strength advantages, though Alabama's strong shooting could keep the game competitive if they hit enough 3-pointers.
• Duke faces St. John's in a tightly contested Sweet 16 game characterized by strong paint play and defensive intensity; Duke's potential return of injured freshman Caleb Foster could provide a critical boost in depth and perimeter shooting.
• The Sweet 16 features marquee matchups including Duke vs. St. John's and UConn vs. Michigan State, showcasing veteran coaches with storied careers and top-seeded teams vying for Elite Eight berths.