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Last updated: March 27, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

NCAA Tournament Shocker & Upsets

The NCAA Men's Tournament delivered significant upsets as Illinois defense stifled No. 2 Houston, holding the Cougars to a season-low 55 points on dismal 34% shooting to punch a ticket to the Elite Eight. In contrast, Arizona dominated early in their Sweet 16 contest, overwhelming Arkansas in a 109-88 rout where Brayden Burries poured in 23 points, finally helping coach Tommy Lloyd overcome the Sweet 16 barrier. Purdue also narrowly advanced in a thriller, securing a 79-77 victory over Texas when Trey Kaufman-Renn tipped in the winner with just 0.7 seconds remaining on the clock, sending the Boilermakers to the regional final.

Coaching Carousel & Administrative Concerns

In coaching news, Boston College hired UConn assistant Luke Murray as its new head man on Thursday, signaling a significant hire for the ACC program. Meanwhile, administrative and personnel issues plagued other programs: Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson's availability remains uncertain for Friday's Sweet 16 matchup against Tennessee due to an ankle injury, making him a true game-time decision. Separately, Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg took responsibility for a late-game personnel blunder that resulted in his team briefly having only four players on the court during a decisive moment in their loss to Iowa.

Wider Collegiate Athletics CommentaryThe intense pressure facing collegiate coaches was voiced by UCLA's Cori Close, who** [*pleaded for changes to the exhausting pace required for success in women's basketball, suggesting the NCAA must step in. Adding to the institutional critique, UConn women's basketball legend Geno Auriemma asserted that, in practical terms, the spirit of Title IX legislation is "pretty much out the window" today. These commentaries arrive as legal challenges mount elsewhere, with one lawsuit accusing major sportsbooks like Draft Kings and Fan Duel of utilizing addictive technology features designed specifically to maximize customer betting retention.**