— The second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament concludes Sunday as the field is cut to 16 teams. Eight games across several sites feature a mix of top seeds and marquee programs, with No. 2 Purdue already advancing after a 79-69 win over Miami. Injuries and late-game swings loom large: Iowa State will be without All-American forward Joshua Jefferson, and Purdue guard C.J. Cox suffered a knee issue that left his status uncertain. We’ll track results, injury updates and bracket implications through the evening.
Key takeaways
- No. 2 Purdue beat No. 7 Miami, 79-69, to reach the Sweet 16 — Purdue has reached the regional semifinal for the third straight year and fourth time in five seasons.
- Purdue shot 53.2% from the floor, made 21 of 22 free throws and averaged 1.27 points per possession in the win; Fletcher Loyer finished with 24 points.
- Iowa State will play No. 7 Kentucky at 2:45 p.m. ET with star forward Joshua Jefferson listed out after an ankle injury sustained in the first round.
- Purdue guard C.J. Cox exited the Miami game with a non-contact knee injury and was listed as questionable to return, creating rotation uncertainty for the Boilermakers.
- Sunday’s broadcast windows include key matchups: Kansas vs. St. John’s (5:15 p.m. ET), UConn vs. UCLA (8:45 p.m. ET) and Alabama vs. Texas Tech (9:45 p.m. ET).
- Historically, higher seeds have fared well this weekend; programs seeded 1–4 (including Florida, UConn, Virginia and Kansas) have accounted for five of the past six national titles.
- Game times are Eastern: Iowa State–Kentucky (2:45), St. John’s–Kansas (5:15), Tennessee–Virginia (6:10), Iowa–Florida (7:10), Utah State–Arizona (7:50), UCLA–UConn (8:45), Texas Tech–Alabama (9:45).
Background
The first weekend of the 2026 NCAA Tournament has largely favored higher seeds, reducing the number of classic bracket-busting outcomes seen in some recent years. That trend is notable because the sport’s recent champions have often come from the very top of the seeding list — a pattern that influences expectations, media narratives and betting markets heading into Sunday. Programs with national profiles — Florida, UConn, Virginia and Kansas among them — enter with both recruiting and coaching stability that helps sustain postseason success.
Injuries and roster depth are shaping outcomes just as much as seed lines. Teams that rely on a single star or thin rotations are more vulnerable in back-to-back-game stretches, while balanced squads with veteran guards or interior depth can absorb setbacks. That dynamic is evident in Iowa State’s situation: losing Joshua Jefferson removes a primary scorer, rebounder and playmaker, forcing the Cyclones to reconfigure both lineup and game plan on short notice.
Main event
In St. Louis, No. 2 Purdue outlasted No. 7 Miami, 79-69, in a game that featured efficient shooting and late-game poise. Purdue’s offense was led by Fletcher Loyer, who scored 24 points on 6-of-7 shooting, while C.J. Cox provided critical floor spacing with several 3-pointers before leaving with a knee injury. The Boilermakers pushed a late second-half run and maintained an advantage at the free-throw line, converting 21 of 22 attempts to seal the win.
Earlier in the day, the Cyclones prepared to face Kentucky without Joshua Jefferson after he was ruled out following an ankle injury suffered Friday. Jefferson’s box-score contributions this season — second on the team in scoring and rebounding, plus top-two marks in assists and steals — underline how disruptive his absence could be for Iowa State’s game plan. The Cyclones will lean on veteran guard Tamin Lipsey and an adjusted rotation to try to offset the loss.
Meanwhile, marquee late-window matchups set up high-stakes regional semifinals: No. 2 UConn faces No. 7 UCLA, a rematch of national-profile programs with contrasting styles, and No. 4 Alabama meets No. 5 Texas Tech in a defensive-heavy tilt. Kansas and St. John’s will square off in San Diego with a Sweet 16 berth on the line, and Virginia visits Tennessee in a contest where half-court execution and interior defense will be decisive.
Analysis & implications
Purdue’s win underscores how efficiency and late free-throw performance matter in tournament play. Hitting 95.5% of free throws (21 of 22) removed many end-game variables and forced Miami to beat them with 3-point shooting and offensive rebounding — two areas where the Hurricanes excel, but where Purdue limited damage. For the Boilermakers, preserving depth and clarifying rotation plans if C.J. Cox is limited will be crucial heading into the Sweet 16.
Iowa State’s loss of Joshua Jefferson is a case study in how a single injury can shift bracket projections. Jefferson’s multifaceted role — scoring inside and out, rebounding, creating for others and contributing defensively — means the Cyclones must either find scoring from multiple bench pieces or tighten defensive schemes to compensate. Opponents will likely attack on-ball defense and force other, less-proven scorers to make plays under pressure.
Nationally, the relative lack of low-seed upsets so far has implications for fans and sportsbooks; a weekend with few shocks tends to concentrate bettors on the high seeds and can reduce volatility in futures markets. That said, the tournament’s structure — single elimination, compressed schedule — keeps the door open for momentum-driven surprises, particularly if favored teams suffer key injuries or foul trouble in tight matchups.
Comparison & data
| Game | Seed | Final Score | Notable stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue vs. Miami | Purdue (2) vs. Miami (7) | 79–69 | F. Loyer 24 pts; Purdue 21/22 FT; 53.2% FG; 1.27 PPP |
The table above highlights how Purdue’s shooting and free-throw accuracy distinguished the game. The Boilermakers’ 1.27 points per possession is a strong offensive performance in tournament play, where half-court defenses often suppress PPP averages. Comparing the early rounds to recent tournaments, teams that convert at the line and sustain effective FG percentages tend to advance — a trend reaffirmed by Purdue’s result.
Reactions & quotes
“C.J. Cox is questionable to return after going to the locker room with a non-contact knee injury,”
Jon Rothstein (reporter, CBS Sports)
Rothstein’s update framed the immediate uncertainty around Purdue’s backcourt availability and how the coaching staff might adapt rotations late in the second half.
“Purdue made a statement with its efficiency — the free throws and high-percentage shots ended up mattering,”
CBS Sports game coverage
Live coverage noted that Purdue’s late first-half and early second-half sequences swung momentum back in the Boilermakers’ favor and limited Miami’s opportunities to control the glass.
“Losing Joshua Jefferson is a major loss for Iowa State; they now need others to step up on both ends,”
Bracket analyst (media)
Analysts highlighted how Jefferson’s absence forces tactical adjustments for Iowa State and creates an opening for Kentucky to exploit interior matchups and guard penetration.
Unconfirmed
- C.J. Cox’s long-term prognosis is not public; whether the knee issue requires further imaging or will sideline him beyond tonight remains unconfirmed.
- It’s not yet confirmed how Iowa State will reallocate minutes and primary playmaking duties in Jefferson’s absence for tonight’s game.
- Any immediate bracket projection changes tied to tonight’s results and injuries are subject to revision as more medical and performance information becomes available.
Bottom line
Sunday’s slate will finalize several regional semifinalists and further clarify which high seeds can convert season-long expectations into deep runs. Purdue’s combination of efficient shooting and near-perfect free-throw shooting allowed it to advance, while injuries to key players like Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson and Purdue’s C.J. Cox introduce uncertainty into otherwise expected trajectories.
For fans and bracket trackers, monitor official availability reports and in-game rotations: depth and adaptability will determine which teams reach the Sweet 16. Expect the late windows — UConn–UCLA and Alabama–Texas Tech — to carry outsized implications for regional balance and national title forecasting.