Key Points
Bullet point summary by AI
- The Big Ten conference surged ahead in the second round of the 2026 March Madness tournament.
- A dominant team led the Big Ten with six teams advancing to the Sweet 16, showcasing conference depth.
- This strong performance marks a significant turnaround for the Big Ten after earlier rounds.
There were 10 SEC teams with bids to March Madness, more than any conference. By the end of the first round, there were nine SEC teams still in the mix, more than any other conference. Of course, that doesn't mean it stayed that way. The second round gave the Big Ten a leg up and they climbed even higher on the first day of Sweet 16 play with Purdue, Illinois and Iowa advancing to the Elite Eight.
As the NCAA Tournament all plays out, we're going to be tracking each conference's record and how many teams are left to contribute to that record.
Last updated: Friday, March 27 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Conferences in March Madness
- March Madness record by conference
- Remaining teams by conference
- Sweet 16 Thursday wins and losses by conference
- Second round Sunday wins and losses by conference
- Second round Saturday wins and losses by conference
- First round Friday wins and losses by conference
- First round Thursday wins and losses by conference
- First Four: Texas puts SEC in front, ACC has a bad time
March Madness record by conference
Conference | # of teams | Record (Win Percentage) | Active teams |
|---|---|---|---|
SEC | 10 | 13-8 (.619) | 2 |
Big Ten | 9 | 16-4 (.800) | 5 (3 in E8) |
ACC | 8 | 5-7 (.417) | 1 |
Big 12 | 8 | 10-6 (.625) | 1 (1 in E8) |
Big East | 3 | 4-1 (.800) | 2 |
WCC | 3 | 1-3 (.250) | 0 |
Atlantic 10 | 2 | 2-2 (.500) | 0 |
MAC | 2 | 1-2 (.333) | 0 |
American | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
American East | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
Atlantic Sun | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
Big Sky | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
Big South | 1 | 1-1 (.500) | 0 |
Big West | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
CAA | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
CUSA | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
Horizon | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
Ivy | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
MAAC | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
MEAC | 1 | 1-1 (.500) | 0 |
MVC | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
Mountain West | 1 | 1-1 (.500) | 0 |
NEC | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
OVC | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
Patriot League | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
Southern | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
Southland | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
SWAC | 1 | 1-1 (.000) | 0 |
Summit | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
Sun Belt | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
WAC | 1 | 0-1 (.000) | 0 |
Remaining teams by conference
- SEC: (4) Alabama, (6) Tennessee
- Big Ten: (1) Michigan, (2) Michigan State, (2) Purdue, (3) Illinois, (9) Iowa
- ACC: (1) Duke
- Big 12: (1) Arizona, (2) Iowa State
- Big East: (2) UConn, (5) St. John's
Sweet 16 Thursday wins and losses by conference
SEC
- LOSS: (4) Arkansas vs. (1) Arizona, 109-88
- LOSS: (11) Texas vs. (2) Purdue, 79-77
Thursday was not a great day for the SEC. Even though both Arkansas and Texas were the lower-seeded teams, both exited in harsh disappointment. The Longhorns' surprise run to the second weekend ended on a tip-in with 0.7 seconds left on the clock. Arkansas let Arizona shoot 63.8 percent from the floor and trailed by as many as 18. Head coach John Calipari and senior forward Nick Pringle each got technicals, the latter fouled out, and sophomore guard Billy Richmond was ejected for shoving an opponent. It wasn't a pretty ending.
Big Ten
- WIN: (2) Purdue) vs. (11) Texas, 79-77
- WIN: (3) Illinois vs. (2) Houston, 65-55
- WIN/LOSS: (9) Iowa vs. (4) Nebraska, 77-71
Thursday was another great day for the Big Ten. Three of the four teams in action won — and the fourth lost to another Big Ten team. Purdue stayed alive with their late basket against Texas. Illinois overcame Houston's hometown advantage with stifling defense holding Houston to 34 percent shooting from the field.
Nebraska won't want to be reminded of how their game ended. After leading most of the way, the Cornhuskers gave up their lead in the final minutes. Iowa iced their 77-71 win with a three-point play featuring just four Nebraska players on the floor.
ACC
No teams in action.
Big 12
- WIN: (1) Arizona vs. (4) Arkansas, 109-88
- LOSS (2) Houston vs. (3) Illinois, 65-55
Arizona scored a season-high 109 points to flatten Arkansas. Their offense looks like an unstoppable force. Houston hoped their defense could slow Illinois, and they did holding their opponents to their lowest scoring total since November. The trouble was the Cougars were held to their lowest scoring total of the season.
Big East
No teams in action.
Second round Sunday wins and losses by conference
SEC
- LOSS: (1) Florida vs. (9) Illinois, 73-72
- LOSS: (2) Iowa State vs. (7) Kentucky, 82-63
- WIN: (6) Tennessee vs. (3) Virginia, 79-72
- WIN: (4) Alabama vs. (5) Texas Tech, 90-65
Big Ten
- WIN: (9) Iowa vs. (1) Florida, 73-72
- WIN: (2) Purdue vs. (7) Miami, 79-69
- LOSS: (7) UCLA vs. (2) UConn, 73-57
ACC
- LOSS: (7) Miami vs. (2) Purdue, 79-69
- LOSS (3) Virginia vs. (6) Tennessee, 79-72
Big 12
- WIN: (1) Arizona vs. (9) Utah State, 78-66
- WIN: (2) Iowa State ve. (7) Kentucky, 82-63
- LOSS: (4) Kansas vs. (5) St. John's, 67-65
- LOSS: (5) Texas Tech vs. (4) Alabama, 90-65
Big East
- WIN: (2) UConn vs. (7) UCLA, 73-57
- WIN: (5) St. John's vs. (4) Kansas, 67-65
Second round Saturday wins and losses by conference
SEC
- WIN: (4) Arkansas vs. (12) High Point, 94-88
- LOSS: (5) Vanderbilt vs. (4) Nebraska, 74-72
- LOSS: (10) Texas A&M vs. (2) Houston, 88-57
- WIN: (11) Texas vs. (3) Gonzaga, 74-68
Texas was the big story of Saturday. Going from the First Four to the Sweet 16 is impressive enough. Being the only remaining double-digit seed to make it out of the first weekend only makes the Longhorns' achievement more impressive.
Arkansas was the only other SEC team to advance on Saturday, ending High Point's Cinderella dream. Texas A&M and Vanderbilt suffered their own crushing losses (more on the latter below).
Big Ten
- WIN: (1) Michigan vs. (9) Saint Louis, 95-72
- WIN: (3) Michigan State vs. (6) Louisville, 77-69
- WIN: (3) Illinois vs. (11) VCU, 76-55
- WIN: (4) Nebraska vs. (5) Vanderbilt, 74-72
Michigan was a heavy favorite over Saint Louis and they looked like it in a 95-72 win. The Wolverines shot 56 percent from the field and 48 percent from beyond the arc as all five starters posted double-digit scoring.
The Wolverines' win was just the start of a perfect day for the Big Ten. Michigan State, Illinois and Nebraska each advanced to the Sweet 16. The Cornhuskers delivered the most dramatic finish of the day. Braden Frager hit a layup with tw seconds remaining. Vanderbilt's buzzerbeater attempt from halfcourt came as close as a missed shot can be to going in.
how pic.twitter.com/1iXnsMX1t3
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 22, 2026
ACC
- WIN: (1) Duke vs. (9) TCU, 81-58
- LOSS: (6) Louisville vs. (3) Michigan State, 77-69
Duke had their hands full with TCU early in the second half, but the Blue Devils pulled away for what turned out to be an easy win.
Louisville was on the wrong side of a similar story. The Cardinals got within three halfway through the second half. They just couldn't hang the rest of the way.
Big 12
- LOSS: (9) TCU vs. (1) Duke, 81-58
- WIN: (2) Houston vs. (10) Texas A&M, 88-57
There were a whole lot of complaints about the referees in TCU's loss to Duke. Head coach Jamie Dixon got a questionable technical for arguing a questionable call. And that's just one example of the gripes. Still, the Horned Frogs won't get any reprieve.
Houston had a much better time, absolutely thrashing Texas A&M. With a lead as big as 31, it was a rout.
First round Friday wins and losses by conference
SEC leaves no doubt (except Kentucky)
- WIN: (1) Florida vs. (16) Prairie View A&M, 114-55
- WIN: (4) Alabama vs. (13) Hofstra, 90-70
- WIN: (6) Tennessee vs. (11) Miami OH, 78-56
- WIN: (7) Kentucky vs. (10) Santa Clara, 89-84
- LOSS: (10) Missouri vs. (7) Miami, 80-66
Eight of the SEC's 10 teams to make the NCAA Tournament remain in the mix going into the Round of 32. And all four teams favored to win on Friday did just that.
Florida set the new high mark for points in a tournament game this year in a game where they doubled Prairie View A&M's output. Alabama didn't get tripped up by Hofstra despite being a trendy pick to suffer an early upset. Missing star guard Aden Holloway didn't slow down the Tide. Tennessee handled Miami (OH) with relative ease.
Kentucky was lucky not to be in the loss column. The Wildcats had their hands full with Santa Clara, who hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 2.4 seconds left. During a controversial sequence, Otega Oweh hit a 32-foot heave at the buzzer to force overtime. There UK got the job done.
Missouri wasn't so lucky, though the Tigers gave Miami a game before falling away late.
Big Ten clean sweeps
- WIN: (2) Purdue vs. (15) Queens, 104-71
- WIN: (7) UCLA vs. (10) UCF, 75-71
- WIN: (9) Iowa vs. (8) Clemson, 67-61
The Big Ten enjoyed Friday immensely as every team in action came away victorious. While the Boilermakers smashed Queens, star Braden Smith officially claimed the career assists record in Division I, passing Bobby Hurley.
UCLA played without leading scorer Tyler Bilodeau, but they managed to stay out in front of UCF. That narrow final score was the result of a lengthy final stretch as the Knights' fouling strategy allowed them to pull just close enough to threaten. The final four minutes took nearly 35 minutes of real time.
Iowa was en route to a comfortable victory, but a second-half scoring drought let Clemson back in it. The Hawkeyes eventually found their feet and notched a six-point victory.
ACC closes late
- WIN: (3) Virginia vs. (14) Wright State, 82-73
- WIN: (7) Miami vs. (10) Missouri, 80-66
- LOSS: (8) Clemson vs. (9) Iowa, 67-61
Wright State gave Virginia some stressful moments but the Cavaliers got enough from Jacari White to win anyway.
It was a similar story for Miami vs. Missouri. It was a back-and-forth affair for much of the game until the Hurricanes surged late.
Clemson got in a hole early. They spent the rest of the game trying to dig out of it, and they almost did just that. But almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. It was all too little, too late for the Tigers against Iowa.
Big 12 favorites roll
- WIN: (1) Arizona vs. (16) Long Island, 92-58
- WIN: (2) Iowa State vs. (15) Tennessee State, 108-74
- WIN: (4) Kansas vs. Cal Baptist, 68-60
- WIN: (5) Texas Tech vs. (12) Akron, 91-71
- LOSS: (10) UCF vs. (7) UCLA, 75-71
Friday was a big day for the Big 12. Four of the five teams on tap advanced to the second round, three of the four via blowouts. Kansas was almost part of that group, but they let Cal Baptist close the gap with a 19-2 run. It was a nervy final minute, but one that the Jayhawks survived.
UCF didn't survive their final minute, but they sure drew it out as long as they possibly could.
First round Thursday wins and losses by conference
SEC won the day even if UGA laid an egg
- WIN: (4) Arkansas vs. (13) Hawaii, 97-78
- WIN: (5) Vanderbilt vs. (12) McNeese, 78-68
- WIN: (11) Texas vs. (6) BYU, 79-71
- WIN: (10) Texas A&M vs. (7) Saint Mary's, 63-50
- LOSS: (8) Georgia vs. (9) Saint Louis, 102-77
It was another great day to be in the SEC on Day 1 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. In fact, the conference started the day perfect, with the first four teams in action advancing to the second round. Arkansas and Texas A&M enjoyed comfortable wins, but Vanderbilt needed a rally to survive a double-digit deficit to McNeese. Texas rode the momentum of their First Four victory to a shocking beat down of BYU.
Georgia let the conference down and more. It's not just that they lost to Saint Louis, an Atlantic-10 rep. It's that they got trashed by the Billikens, trailing wire-to-wire and by as many as 40.
Teams like Auburn and Oklahoma will look at these results with some frustration. The SEC was responsible for 11-6 and 10-7 upsets that go to show the immense depth in the conference.
Big Ten had highs and lows
- WIN: (1) Michigan vs. (16) Howard, 101-80
- WIN: (2) Michigan State vs. (14) North Dakota State, 92-67
- WIN: (3) Illinois vs. (14) Pennsylvania, 105-70
- WIN: (4) Nebraska vs. (13) Troy, 76-47
- LOSS: (5) Wisconsin vs. (12) High Point, 83-82
- LOSS: (8) Ohio State vs. (9) TCU, 66-64
Six of the Big Ten's nine teams were in action on Day 1. The four winners stayed stress free. Michigan was closer to Howard than they would have liked early, but they blew off the doors eventually. Nebraska was the happiest Big Ten team, nothing their first ever March Madness win.
As good a time as others were having, the two losers in the Big Ten were capital-L Losers. First Ohio State fell to TCU by running one of the worst final plays you'll ever see. Then Wisconsin was on the wrong end of the biggest upset of the tournament as the Big South's High Point moved on.
ACC flirted with and succumbed to disasters
- WIN: (1) Duke vs. (16) Siena, 71-65
- WIN: (6) Louisville vs. (11) South Florida, 83-79
- LOSS: (6) North Carolina vs. (11) VCU, 82-78
The ACC had a winning record on Day 1, but that doesn't mean it was impressive. No. 1 seed Duke came dangerously close to suffering one of the worst upsets in the history of March Madness. A Siena team with so little depth they played all five starters all 40 minutes led the Blue Devils by double digits at the half. Duke outlasted them, but barely.
No. 6 seed Louisville took care of business against No. 11 seed South Florida. The same cannot be said of North Carolina. The Tar Heels absolutely blew it against VCU, who trailed by 19 in the second half. Their comeback was the largest second-half comeback in NCAA Tournament history. Hubert Davis has not gotten UNC out of the first round in three straight tournaments.
Big 12
- WIN: (2) Houston vs. (15) Idaho, 78-47
- WIN: (9) TCU vs. (8) Ohio State, 66-64
The Big 12 was on both sides of a very welcome equation. Houston enjoyed a blowout over Idaho in a significant mismatch. TCU and Ohio State, on the other hand, were perfectly well-matched and played a tight affair because of it. In the end, the Horned Frogs executed better in the key moments.
First Four: Texas puts SEC in front, ACC has a bad time
- SEC WIN: (11) Texas vs. (11) NC State
- MAC WIN: (11) Miami OH vs. (11) SMU
- MEAC WIN: (16) Howard vs. (16) UMBC
- SWAC WIN: (16) Prairie View A&M vs. (16) Lehigh
Texas knocked NC State out of the First Four on a game-winner with 1.1 left on the clock. That rough start foretold more trouble for the ACC as Wednesday brought a loss for SMU as well. The Mustangs were victims of the Miami (OH) RedHawks, who were the last team in the field despite their 31-1 record going in.
The 16-seed matchups gave early wins to the MEAC via Howard and the SWAC via Prairie View A&M. UMBC of the American East and Lehigh of the Patriot League never made it out of Dayton.