March Madness 2026: Sweet 16 Schedule, Scores & Live Updates

Michigan and High Point punched their tickets to the Sweet Sixteen on Saturday, becoming the first two teams to advance to the second weekend of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Michigan dominated Saint Louis 88-74, while High Point continued its improbable run with a victory over Arkansas.

Michigan’s victory was fueled by a balanced attack, led by Yaxel Lendeborg’s 25 points. Aday Mara added 16, Mo Johnson Jr. Contributed 15, and Elliot Cadeau scored 12. The Wolverines’ depth proved too much for Saint Louis, as they pulled away in the final minutes to secure a comfortable win. Lendeborg’s performance drew praise from teammate Nimari Burnett, who described him as “Dominican LeBron.”

High Point, a No. 12 seed, upset No. 4 Arkansas, adding to the tournament’s early surprises. The team’s advancement to the second round marks a historic achievement for the university, as noted by High Point University Athletics. Details of the game were not immediately available, but the upset positions High Point as a potential Cinderella story in the tournament.

Elsewhere, the status of Duke’s big man Patrick Ngonba remains uncertain as the Blue Devils prepare to face TCU. Ngonba missed Duke’s first-round game against Siena and the entire ACC tournament, and his availability for Saturday’s matchup is unclear. Michigan State is similarly facing challenges, with Louisville point guard Mikel Brown Jr. Not expected to play due to a back injury, marking his fifth consecutive game sidelined.

The Michigan State versus Louisville game saw a tight first half, with the Spartans leading 30-23 late in the first. Coen Carr led MSU with 7 points and 7 rebounds, while Jeremy Fears had 6 assists. Louisville struggled from the field, shooting just 32% and 3 of 16 from three-point range, but managed to stay within striking distance by forcing 7 Michigan State turnovers.

As of Saturday afternoon, Michigan State led Louisville 55-50 with 7:59 remaining. The Spartans had maintained a small lead throughout much of the game, despite committing 12 turnovers. Louisville’s Adrian Wooley led all scorers with 9 points.