How every Sweet 16 game was clutched Thursday -- and each...

What’s Happening

Listen up: Arizona, Illinois, Iowa and Purdue are moving on.

Here’s how they advanced — and how they can do it again. How every Sweet 16 game was clutched Thursday — and each winner’s keys to Elite Eight play Trey Kaufman-Renn’s last-second tip-in sends Purdue to Elite Eight (0:22) Trey Kaufman-Renn cleans up Braden Smith’s miss with a tip-in as Purdue knocks off Texas to reach the Elite Eight. (it feels like chaos)

(0:22) ESPN staff Mar 27, 2026, 01:25 AM ET Multiple Authors Email Print Open Extended Reactions The first night of the Sweet 16 had something for every type of men’s college basketball fan: comebacks, winning shots, even superhuman performances .

The Details

ESPN’s Myron Medcalf and Kyle Bonagura were on-site in Houston and San Jose, California to break down how each of Thursday’s games was clutched. Expert analyst Jeff Borzello also identifies keys for each winner to advance to the Final Four.

Click on a game to skip ahead (2) Purdue 79, (11) Texas 77 How Purdue clutched: Braden Smith ‘s potential go-ahead attempt in the closing seconds was off the mark, but Trey Kaufman-Renn was there for a tip-in to give Purdue a thrilling win. The Boilermakers labored throughout the second half and had a difficult time containing Tramon Mark , but a clutch layup from Smith with 38 seconds to play followed by a couple of made free throws by C.

Why This Matters

Cox put them in position to win. They shot just 4-for-20 (20%) from 3 but all five starters scored in double figures, with Kaufman-Renn’s 20 points leading the way. Fletcher Loyer was the only Boilermaker to make a 3, going 4-for-8 from the perimeter.

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Key Takeaways

• — Bonagura Editor’s Picks Texas’ Pope played with broken foot vs.
• Purdue Kyle Bonagura Huskers’ Hoiberg shoulders personnel blunder Myron Medcalf 1 Related Purdue’s Elite Eight opponent: Arizona (8:49 p.
• The Wildcats are dominant on the offensive glass, around the rim and get to the free throw line at an insanely high rate.

The Bottom Line

ET on Sunday) How the Boilermakers can advance to the Final Four: The focal point of their game plan has to be keeping Arizona from completely dominating the paint at both ends of the court. The Wildcats are dominant on the offensive glass, around the rim and get to the free throw line at an insanely high rate.

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