Duke & Michigan Survive Sweet 16 Tests – NCAA Tournament Winners & Losers

Duke and Michigan each advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday, though both victories required overcoming significant challenges from their opponents. The No. 3 seeded Duke Blue Devils dispatched No. 9 TCU 81-58, while the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines defeated Saint Louis 95-72.

The Blue Devils’ win over the Horned Frogs was a tale of two halves. After a sluggish first half, Duke found its rhythm in the second, fueled by a dominant performance from freshman forward Cameron Boozer. Boozer, widely considered the top player in college basketball, scored 17 of his 19 points after halftime, adding 11 rebounds to his stat line. Duke also benefited from the return of center Patrick Ngongba, who played 12 minutes after recovering from a foot injury. The victory sends Duke to a Sweet Sixteen matchup against either Kansas or St. John’s.

Michigan’s path to the Sweet Sixteen was similarly tested. Saint Louis, led by a well-executed offensive game plan, pushed the Wolverines early. However, Michigan’s size and versatility ultimately proved too much for the Atlantic 10 champions. Big men Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara led the Wolverines’ attack, overwhelming Saint Louis with a combination of scoring and playmaking. Mara, a 7-foot-3 center, showcased his passing ability with cross-court assists to open teammates.

Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz and Michigan coach Dusty May, close friends who regularly exchange basketball ideas, saw Michigan’s superior talent and execution ultimately prevail. Despite the loss, Schertz’s Saint Louis team demonstrated a level of competitiveness that suggests continued success is within reach, with five rotation players expected to return next season.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Texas secured a surprising Sweet Sixteen berth, becoming the sixth team to advance from the First Four to the second weekend. The Longhorns defeated No. 3 seed Gonzaga 74-68, marking head coach Sean Miller’s ninth Sweet Sixteen appearance with three different programs.

Illinois also advanced, defeating VCU 76-55, ending the Rams’ bid for another improbable tournament run. After a stunning comeback victory over North Carolina in the Round of 64, VCU ran out of steam against the balanced Illini attack, led by Andrej Stojakovic and Keaton Wagler, who combined for 37 points.

Michigan State also secured a Sweet Sixteen spot, defeating Louisville 77-69. Jeremy Fears Jr. Set a school record with 16 assists, directing the Spartans’ offense and finding open teammates, including Coen Carr, who finished with a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Louisville’s season ended in disappointment, falling short of expectations despite a 27-win regular season. The absence of star Mikel Brown Jr., a projected top-10 NBA draft pick, hampered the Cardinals’ chances. The program now faces a critical offseason, with no players currently signed in the 2026 recruiting class and a need to address its lack of size and physicality.