March Madness 2026: The best and worst from Sweet 16 Friday
SB Nation • • sports
Key Points:
- Duke overcame a 10-point deficit to defeat St. John’s 80-75 in the Sweet 16, extending their winning streak to 14 games and handing Rick Pitino only his second Sweet 16 loss; injured guard Caleb Foster played a heroic role with 11 points in 19 minutes.
- Michigan set a school record with their 34th win of the season by beating Alabama 90-77, led by All-American Yaxel Lendeborg’s 23 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, showcasing their national championship potential.
- Iowa State, missing injured All-American Joshua Jefferson, was dominated by Tennessee 78-64, struggling offensively and on the boards, which ended their hopes of advancing further despite high expectations.
- UConn continued their dominance in the tournament’s later rounds with a 67-63 win over Michigan State, extending their second weekend and beyond winning streak to 17 games, while coach Danny Hurley remains undefeated in such matchups.
- Key individual performances included Duke’s Isaiah Evans with 25 points, Alabama’s Labaron Philon scoring 35 points, and UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr. contributing 20 points and joining an elite NCAA Tournament statistical group.
