2026 NCAA Tournament Second Round: Upsets & Scores

2026 NCAA Tournament: Second Round Heats Up With Upsets, Cinderella Stories, and Title Contenders

March Madness is living up to its name in 2026. The second round of the men's NCAA Tournament is underway on Saturday, March 21, and after a first round packed with upsets, historic moments, and comeback victories, eight more teams are battling for coveted Sweet 16 spots today. From No. 12 High Point's stunning upset of Wisconsin to VCU erasing a 19-point deficit against UNC in overtime, the 2026 bracket is already one for the books — and the drama is far from over.

Whether you're tracking your bracket, looking for live scores, or trying to catch up on everything you missed, here's a complete breakdown of where things stand in the 2026 March Madness tournament.

First Round Recap: Upsets, History, and a Narrow Escape for Duke

The opening round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament delivered exactly what fans hoped for: chaos. Thursday, March 19 kicked off the first round in memorable fashion, with several notable upsets reshaping the bracket immediately.

High Point over Wisconsin (No. 12 vs. No. 5): The biggest upset of the first round saw High Point knock off a Big Ten contender, keeping the No. 12 seed's Cinderella story very much alive.
VCU over UNC in overtime: Down 19 points, VCU refused to fold, staging a jaw-dropping rally to beat North Carolina in overtime — one of the most thrilling games of the tournament so far.
Nebraska's historic win: The Cornhuskers secured the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history, a milestone decades in the making for Nebraska fans.
TCU over Ohio State: TCU punched their ticket to the second round with a win over the Buckeyes, and they're now set to face Duke on Saturday.
Duke narrowly escapes: No. 1 seed Duke needed every minute to pull away from No. 16 Siena, a reminder that even the top seeds can be rattled early.

Friday, March 20 brought more action, with No. 1 Florida dismantling Prairie View A&M 114-55, along with Arizona, Purdue, and Iowa State advancing to the second round. Howard, fresh off their first-ever NCAA tournament win over UMBC in the First Four, gave No. 1 seed Michigan a tough game before the Wolverines ultimately pulled away.

Saturday's Second Round Schedule: What's on Today (March 21)

Eight games are on the schedule today as teams compete for Sweet 16 berths. The full Saturday schedule features some of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament, including:

Michigan vs. Saint Louis — The Wolverines look to build momentum after their tougher-than-expected first round outing.
Duke vs. TCU — Can TCU pull another upset, or will Duke's talent prove too much?
Gonzaga vs. Texas — The marquee matchup of the day, with major upset potential (more on that below).

All games are broadcast across CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. The full tournament runs through April 6, 2026, when the national champion will be crowned. Follow live bracket updates and scores here.

Cinderella Teams Still Dancing: The Double-Digit Seeds to Watch

One of the most compelling storylines heading into the second round is the survival of several double-digit seeds. Only four remain in the 2026 bracket, but each one is a legitimate threat to keep the upsets coming:

No. 12 High Point — The biggest first-round upset makers, High Point has nothing to lose and everything to prove in the second round.
No. 11 VCU — A team that already showed championship-level resilience by coming back from 19 down against UNC. Don't count them out.
No. 11 Texas — The Longhorns are drawing serious attention from analysts ahead of their matchup with Gonzaga.
No. 10 Texas A&M — The Aggies quietly advanced and are now one win away from the Sweet 16.

Bracket builders who went chalk early are already sweating. If any of these teams advance further, the chaos will only intensify.

Jay Bilas Predicts a Major Gonzaga Upset — Here's Why It Could Happen

The most talked-about second-round prediction comes from ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, who is picking No. 11 Texas to upset No. 3 Gonzaga on Saturday. According to Bilas, Gonzaga is entering the game significantly weakened by the absence of Braden Huff, who averaged 17.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season.

Losing a player of Huff's caliber is a massive blow for the Bulldogs, who have been one of the most popular national title picks heading into the tournament. Without their leading scorer, Gonzaga's offense loses a critical dimension, and Texas — already battle-tested coming off a first-round win — has the athleticism and experience to exploit that vulnerability.

If Bilas is right, Gonzaga's exit in the second round would mark one of the more significant collapses for a pre-tournament favorite in recent memory — and would blow open the bracket in their region entirely.

Bracket Busters and Betting Lines: What the Odds Say

If you're tracking best bets and picks for today's games, several matchups are drawing significant attention. Second-round odds and picks for Michigan, Texas, and others suggest that the books are not fully discounting the upset potential in several games today.

Texas is drawing money as an underdog against Gonzaga, especially following the Huff injury news. Michigan is expected to handle Saint Louis, but the Wolverines' shaky first-round performance against Howard has bettors wondering if there's vulnerability there. Duke vs. TCU is another game where the spread may be tighter than expected after both teams showed different levels of first-round sharpness.

As always in March Madness, the best bet is to expect the unexpected.

FAQ: 2026 NCAA Tournament Questions Answered

What channel is March Madness on in 2026?

The 2026 NCAA Tournament is broadcast across CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. Streaming options are available through Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and the March Madness Live app, with some games available via free live streams depending on your provider and location.

When does the 2026 NCAA Tournament end?

The national championship game is scheduled for Monday, April 6, 2026. The Final Four takes place March 28-30, with the title game wrapping up the tournament the following weekend.

What was the biggest upset of the first round?

No. 12 High Point defeating No. 5 Wisconsin stands as the biggest upset of the opening round. VCU's overtime comeback win over UNC after trailing by 19 points is arguably the most dramatic game, but High Point's outright upset victory earns the headline.

Is Gonzaga a good bet to win the tournament in 2026?

Gonzaga entered the tournament as a popular national title pick, but the absence of Braden Huff (17.8 ppg) significantly changes their outlook. ESPN's Jay Bilas has already predicted they'll fall to Texas in the second round. Without their leading scorer, Gonzaga's title odds have taken a hit.

How many double-digit seeds are left in the 2026 tournament?

Heading into the second round, four double-digit seeds remain: No. 10 Texas A&M, No. 11 VCU, No. 11 Texas, and No. 12 High Point. All four are alive and capable of pulling additional upsets.

Conclusion: The Best of March Madness Is Still Ahead

The 2026 NCAA Tournament has already delivered historic moments — Nebraska's long-awaited first tournament win, VCU's stunning comeback, High Point's massive upset — and the second round is setting up to be even more memorable. With top seeds like Duke and Gonzaga facing real pressure, and Cinderella teams like VCU and High Point still dancing, the road to the Sweet 16 is anything but clear.

Tune in Saturday for what promises to be a full day of bracket drama. Whether you're watching for your picks, your favorite team, or just the sheer spectacle of March Madness, the 2026 tournament is delivering on every front. Check back for updated scores, results, and analysis as the second round plays out.