The first half of the Elite Eight is set with Arizona, Illinois, Purdue and Iowa punching their tickets Thursday. Who could join them in the regional finals of the 2026 men’s NCAA tournament?

ESPN reporters on-site in Chicago and Washington, D.C. tracking Friday’s Sweet 16 action in real-time.

Jump to: Game previews, predictions

SWEET 16 LIVE TRACKER

SWEET 16 PREVIEWS

All times Eastern.

9:45 p.m., CBS

Borzello’s prediction: UConn 68-64
Medcalf’s prediction: UConn 70-65

How Michigan State can advance to Elite Eight: Personnel matchups generate the most headlines during the NCAA tournament, but coaching matchups are equally — if not more — impactful. During a tenure that began in 1995, Tom Izzo has developed an uncanny ability to zero in on an opposing team’s top players and create problems for them. That’s the Spartans’ ticket to another Elite Eight.

Izzo’s primary mission against UConn is to limit Tarris Reed Jr.’s impact on the game. The Huskies are a different team when he’s a dominant presence in the post. If Reed is grabbing offensive rebounds and giving them an abundance of second-chance opportunities, Michigan State will be in a tough spot. The good news for the Spartans is that they are connecting on 35.9% of their 3-point attempts and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities with a No. 10 national ranking in offensive rebounding rate. It will be key for them to hit more 3s, extend UConn’s defense and create more paths to the basket for Jeremy Fears Jr. & Co. They have to give UConn a reason to guard on the perimeter — if the Spartans just allow the Huskies to sit in the lane, challenge shots around the rim and grab rebounds, Michigan State could lose.

Izzo has been in this position before — against better teams — and won. His experience will matter in a matchup against Dan Hurley.

How UConn can advance to the Elite Eight: To beat Izzo, UConn will have to show up as the top-notch defensive outfit that held UCLA to just a 39% clip inside the arc in the second round. The Huskies’ win over the Bruins served as a reminder that they can be a great defensive team when they want to be. In the Big Ten tournament, UCLA had produced 132 points per 100 possessions in a win over Michigan State. In the round of 32, the Bruins — who played without leading scorer Tyler Bilodeau (knee) — scored only 57 points, their second-lowest total of the season. UCLA star Donovan Dent had nine assists but also finished 2-for-9 shooting with a pair of turnovers. That’s the same attention UConn will need to give Fears. When he’s comfortable, Michigan State’s offense soars. The Huskies can’t let that happen.

On offense, Braylon Mullins could be an X factor. Reed had a double-double against UCLA but not the historic numbers he put up against Furman in the first round (31 points, 27 rebounds). Alex Karaban recorded a career-high 27 points against the Bruins, with Solo Ball and Silas Demary Jr. scoring two points combined. If Reed and Karaban can create a balanced inside-outside attack, Michigan State will have to find a way to disrupt that, which could give Mullins — who is averaging 14.5 points in two NCAA tournament games — more freedom and opportunities to make plays and create off the dribble or on off-ball screens.

The Huskies have a multitude of options to score, and as long as most of them are effective, they can get back to the Elite Eight. — Medcalf

10:10 p.m., TBS/truTV

Borzello’s prediction: Iowa State 67-65
Medcalf’s prediction: Iowa State 74-68

How Tennessee can advance to the Elite Eight: To beat Iowa State, Tennessee will have to play the same disciplined defense that stopped Virginia in the final minutes of Sunday’s second-round game. That task begins with Felix Okpara, who had four blocks against the Cavaliers and altered other shots, including a late drive by Thijs De Ridder that Okpara blocked during Virginia’s comeback attempt. Opposing players had made only 30% of their shots around the rim against Okpara entering Sunday’s game, per Synergy Sports data. He’ll have to protect the rim against Iowa State, which had a significant advantage in paint points against Kentucky (34-20) — but he won’t have to do it alone.

Tennessee has the personnel to handle every one-on-one matchup defensively. The Vols can guard at every spot. They will have to put pressure on Tamin Lipsey, sharpshooter Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson, if he plays, to win. That defensive effort coupled with standout performances from Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament would be the formula for a Tennessee trip to the Elite Eight.

How Iowa State can advance to the Elite Eight: With or without Jefferson, Iowa State will have the same blueprint against Tennessee: Move the ball to find the best shot on offense, force turnovers with defensive pressure and score on fast breaks. Although they didn’t have Jefferson, who is a game-time decision because of an ankle injury, the Cyclones forced 20 turnovers in their second-round win over Kentucky. Playing through Lipsey — who finished with 26 points, 10 assists and only three turnovers against Kentucky — the Cyclones registered 150 points per 100 possessions and made 63% of their shots after halftime. They are 18-2 when Lipsey’s assist-to-turnover ratio is 3-to-1 or better.

Gillespie and Ament combined for five turnovers in Tennessee’s second-round win over Virginia. Iowa State can pressure that duo into the same mistakes Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen (eight turnovers combined) made for Kentucky, even if Jefferson sits out another game. That’s how the Cyclones can advance. — Medcalf

LONDON — However Ben White imagined his return to the England setup would play out, not once could he have pictured this.

Booed by some supporters when introduced as a 69th-minute substitute, he then marked his comeback after a four-year absence with his first international goal — only to be booed even more.

And just when it looked as though his efforts had salvaged victory from a thoroughly abject collective display, White conceded a stoppage-time penalty, which Federico Valverde converted to give Uruguay a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium.

Even before White stepped onto the field, his presence in the England squad for this window was not without controversy.

He declined to play for England ever since leaving the 2022 World Cup early for what the Football Association described at the time as “personal reasons.” Various outlets, including ESPN, reported at the time that White had in fact fallen out with a member of the coaching staff, and although Gareth Southgate later publicly denied any bust-up, the Arsenal defender subsequently refused a call-up and did not play for England again.

That was, until Friday.

England manager Thomas Tuchel did not select White in his initial expanded 35-man squad for this camp, but Jarell Quansah‘s injury triggered a surprise late inclusion. Tuchel justified the decision by saying “everybody deserves a second chance” following talks with White in recent months, but there were many among the 80,581 crowd who clearly did not agree.

“I [was told] that he was booed,” Tuchel said. “I didn’t hear it on the field because I was involved in the changes and instructions. It cannot be the majority. There were some boos and some mixed reception for him, which I am disappointed about because, of course, protect our players.

“He was excellent in camp. He deserved to come on. He deserved also to start and got us almost the winner. But I also understood that it happened to other players before here.

“He needs to take it on the chin,” Tuchel said. “We will always protect him, and hopefully we can put it behind [us] because he is ready to write some new chapters. We are ready to give him the chance, so hopefully everyone can move on and accept it.”

White’s roller-coaster cameo contrasted markedly with England’s flat-line performance that preceded it.

Tuchel had talked up the merits of his split-squad idea — 11 players were given this week to rest and occupied a Wembley box together here before resuming training ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Japan — by framing this as a key audition for a “plane ticket” to the World Cup.

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Burley slams ‘awful’ England after draw with Uruguay

Craig Burley reacts to England’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay at Wembley.

What greeted the players instead were paper planes. In many ways, this was a throwback to the dark days of years gone by: desperately uninspired football and fans expressing their discontent by throwing folded paper at the pitch, waving phone lights like they’re at a Coldplay gig and booing whichever player they had in their crosshairs.

Southgate worked exceptionally hard to move England on from nights like this, and although there were the occasional nonevents, by and large he achieved it.

And Tuchel will hope White is a unique case. Perhaps part of it was that his selection came at the expense of Trent Alexander-Arnold, a popular and decorated player for Liverpool and Real Madrid yet one who has never fully been trusted by Southgate and now Tuchel.

But more likely, it is White’s perceived indifference in playing for his country. The accusation of insouciance is difficult to shake, and these supporters, many of whom are facing bills running into the tens of thousands to follow England at this summer’s World Cup, do not take kindly to any ambiguous loyalty.

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Tuchel: Trent must accept England squad decision

Thomas Tuchel explained why he left Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the latest England squad.

The team’s overall level of performance did not help the mood, either. Phil Foden was given a chance — perhaps his final chance — to stake a claim for the No. 10 role, but he could not get England playing. What he got for his trouble was an appalling tackle early in the second half from Ronald Araújo that left Tuchel incensed but somehow went entirely unpunished. Foden was subsequently substituted due to injury.

England were equally irate at the decision to award a spot kick after VAR review for White’s challenge on substitute Federico Viñas, a decision Harry Maguire branded a “ridiculous penalty.”

German referee Sven Jablonski appeared to give Manuel Ugarte two yellow cards but not send the Manchester United midfielder off, with the officials later saying the second one was in fact rescinded.

“I think it was not a good performance [from the referee] at all throughout the match,” Tuchel said.

“And I cannot understand that the tackle like this [on Foden] is not even checked. I think the penalty in the end was very, very soft and then there were like debates that a player got two yellow cards in the match and not being sent off. OK, bad day at the office.”

But once the refereeing row subsides, England will reflect on an evening when few individuals pressed their claims. James Trafford and James Garner made their debuts. Fikayo Tomori appeared for the first time in 2½ years, Maguire for the first time in 18 months, Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a substitute for the first time in almost five years.

Garner and Maguire were probably the standouts on a very ordinary night. Tuchel has vowed to harness the Premier League trend of set-piece prowess, and so in that context, England’s goal coming from a corner will be a source of encouragement.

He was, in fact, quite upbeat about the performance as a whole, aside from Foden and Noni Madueke both leaving the field prematurely, the latter seen wearing a knee brace as he departed the stadium.

“I learned a lot because it was a tough opponent — you just see it in the details, you learn a lot and you see the level,” Tuchel said. “We knew it would be a difficult opponent, and we needed this kind of test.”

It might have been one Tuchel anticipated but White, for certain, did not.

Pro days are underway across the country, as we’re less than a month away from the 2026 NFL draft on April 23. Amid a ton of buzz about early picks and the quarterback class, we asked NFL draft analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates to break down the latest intel from around the league.

How likely is Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson to go in Round 1? Does Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love make sense for the Titans at No. 4? Who could rise into the top 10 picks by April, and which underrated prospects could be available late? We get into all that and then let Miller, Reid and Yates predict the best first rounds for teams with multiple Day 1 picks. How can the Browns, Chiefs, Cowboys, Dolphins and Jets win the day?

Finally, our experts empty their scouting notebooks with what they’re hearing, seeing and thinking ahead of April. Let’s start with the latest on Simpson, who said he’s “absolutely” a first-round pick at Alabama’s pro day.

Jump to a section:
Ty Simpson | Jeremiyah Love
Who will move into top 10?
Day 3 sleepers | First-round mocks
Emptying our notebook: What we’re hearing

What percentage chance would you put on Ty Simpson going in Round 1?

Miller: 25%. As the draft order stands right now, no team in Round 1 makes sense to me as a Simpson landing spot. No team in the top 10 that needs a quarterback is likely to reach for him, nor should they. Even the Rams are drafting too early at No. 13 overall. Maybe a team trades back into the first round for him, but that’s a risky proposition to give up draft capital — especially if it includes 2027 picks.

Reid: 75%. Considering the lack of QB talent at the top of the draft, I’d be surprised if Simpson wasn’t selected in the first round. But I agree with Matt that there are no logical landing spots in the first 16 picks. One idea that I floated in my last mock draft was the Cardinals trading back into Round 1 at No. 28 for Simpson. With Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew at the top of the depth chart, they are obviously in need of a young QB.

Yates: 90%. I borrowed from Jordan’s idea of the Cardinals trading up in my last mock draft, but I’m going a step further than him on the percentage. Simpson is the clear-cut second-best QB prospect, his first half of last season was far too strong and there are too many teams that need a QB in the first round for him to not be selected on Thusrday.

Could the Titans really take Jeremiyah Love at No. 4?

Reid: Love is my No. 1 prospect in this class, but I just don’t see it happening. General manager Mike Borgonzi joined Tennessee after 16 seasons in Kansas City, where the Chiefs always valued premium positions early. Don’t be surprised to see another defensive player added here for new coach Robert Saleh.

Yates: They absolutely could. Tennessee’s busy offseason has opened the board up, as it added all over its defense and signed wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson to a four-year deal. Love is my No. 2 prospect, and many NFL executives and scouts believe he is Tennessee’s most likely pick. With that said, what other teams think the Titans are going to do doesn’t mean much. This will come down to whether Tennessee is confident in the rest of its roster.

Miller: Yes, they could and should take Love at No. 4. The Titans were aggressive enough in free agency to enter the draft without a must-pick position here. Love is the type of transcendent prospect who the Titans can build their offense around, giving quarterback Cam Ward a viable threat in the run and pass game. And from what I’ve heard, if Love falls past Tennessee, the Giants will likely take him at No. 5.

Who isn’t a consensus top-10 pick right now but could end up there by draft time?

Yates: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama. Consensus is not easy to find right now, but one name that I haven’t seen linked to the top 10 as often is Proctor. He has incredible traits, led by his mammoth size at 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds with nifty athleticism. He could be in play for the Browns at No. 6 and the Chiefs at No. 9.

Miller: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia. He might rise into the top 10 based on positional value and need. The 6-foot-7, 315-pounder was just a one-year starter, but his athletic tools are that of a high-end NFL starter on the left side. Like Proctor, the Browns or Chiefs could take a chance on Freeling.

Reid: Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn. He fits the exact archetype that teams covet near the top of the draft. At 6-foot-5, 276 pounds, Faulk’s pass-rush production took a step back in 2025, but he’s only 21 and one of the best run defenders in the class. When speaking to scouts, Greg Rousseau and Mykel Williams are two NFL comparisons for him. The Chiefs at No. 9 and the Bengals at No. 10 overall are two teams to watch here.

Who is your favorite Day 3 sleeper right now?

Miller: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M. Lee was a consistent performer throughout college and jumps off the tape in press coverage, where he played 240 of his snaps over three seasons. That talent was on display at the Senior Bowl, too. Lee’s 4.52-second time in the 40-yard dash at the combine didn’t help his draft stock, but he’s a potential NFL starter.

Reid: Adam Randall, RB, Clemson. He made a seamless transition from wide receiver to the backfield this past season. Because of that background, the 6-foot-3, 233-pounder could be a movable piece all over the field. Randall also has A+ value on special teams with experience as a return specialist. I have a strong Round 4 grade on him.

Yates: Dae’Quan Wright, TE, Ole Miss. Much like the running back position last year, there are going to be tight ends that drop because of the incredible depth of the position. Wright played an important role for Ole Miss this past season, hauling in five touchdowns on 39 catches. He’s a snappy route runner who’s comfortable hauling in catches outside of his frame.

The perfect first round for teams with multiple Day 1 picks

Reid’s ideal picks for the New York Jets

2. David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
16. Makai Lemon, WR, USC

The Jets should take two players who can be impactful right away. A highly productive player off the edge, Bailey’s explosive get-off is something this pass rush lacks. And for help opposite Garrett Wilson, Lemon is a steady option who could move inside to the slot. His sure hands, formational versatility and competitiveness after the catch make him an easy fit in new coordinator Frank Reich’s offense.

6. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
24. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

In an unpredictable draft, Tate is one of the surer prospects. The field-stretching wideout is an excellent route runner who dropped just one pass in 2025. Simply put, the Browns need his offensive firepower. Cleveland will have a good debate about taking an OT or WR with the first pick, but they’d be excited to land Lomu in this perfect scenario. He surrendered six pressures and zero sacks at left tackle in 2025. Plus, he is nimble in space to get to the second level as a run blocker.

Miller’s ideal picks for the Miami Dolphins

11. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
30. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

The best route for the Dolphins would be a complete rebuild of the secondary after allowing the highest completion percentage in 2025 (72%) and trading safety Minkah Fitzpatrick again this offseason. McCoy, who sat out the 2025 season with an ACL injury, profiles as a true CB1 with shutdown ability. McNeil-Warren would give new coach Jeff Hafley a long, rangy safety who could play in the box or at free safety.

9. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
30. T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

After losing Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the Rams, cornerback is at the top of Kansas City’s needs. Delane blew scouts away with a 4.38 40-yard dash time at LSU’s pro day Monday and cemented his status as the top cornerback in the draft. And after an underwhelming season, Parker has had a strong predraft process. Dense and powerful rushers are prioritized in coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme, making Parker an ideal fit.

Miller’s ideal picks for the Dallas Cowboys

12. Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
20. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Dallas signed Sam Williams to a one-year deal and traded for Rashan Gary, but this is still a roster that needs another speed rusher. Bain would bring exactly that, as well as power to the position. At safety, Dallas signed Jalen Thompson and has Malik Hooker under contract for one more season. They could use another playmaker on the back end; Thieneman had eight interceptions and two forced fumbles in three seasons at Purdue and Oregon.

What else did you hear and see this week?

Yates’ notes:

• LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier had his pro day Monday, which was an important showcase for him after a disappointing season. Nussmeier threw the football with the accuracy you would expect — the hallmark of his great 2024 season was excellent anticipation and accuracy — and observers noted how he looked healthy, which Nussmeier himself noted at the conclusion of the event. Health was an issue for him this past season, but seeing him look like this helped strengthen his case to be taken as QB3 in the upcoming draft.

• A prospect who I’ll bang the drum for is Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge, who is No. 48 on my board. Perhaps no player embodied the toughness and identity of the Georgia Tech program quite as well as Rutledge over the past two seasons. And he showed at the combine that he’s a quality athlete. Scouts I talk to believe he’s a strong bet to go in the second round.

Miller’s notes:

• Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson opted to not work out at the combine and will not participate in Friday’s pro day, but a scout told me he will work out for teams on April 17. That’s just six days before the start of Round 1, and Field reported Wednesday that Tyson will do only positional work. A potential top-15 pick, Tyson has been plagued by hamstring injuries that limited his 2025 season to just nine games.

Reid’s notes:

• Alabama’s pro day took place Wednesday and multiple scouts in attendance came away impressed with how the ball came off Simpson’s hand. “I thought his arm was a little above average on tape, but it’s much stronger than I anticipated after seeing him up close,” said an NFC executive.

• After Faulk didn’t participate in the 40-yard dash at the combine, evaluators were eager to his true speed at Auburn’s pro day Tuesday. Scouts that I talked to had him timed in the range of 4.67 to 4.69 seconds. He also completed 17 reps on the bench press and participated in positional drills.

• At Miami’s pro day Monday, edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor took part only in positional drills, but offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa did run a 40-yard dash. Scouts that I talked to had him in the 5.10 to 5.12-second range on both runs. Mauigoa is my top-ranked offensive tackle and could go as high as No. 3 to the Cardinals.