Here’s a look at some important matchups for March Madness 2026 happening on Saturday:
(9) St. Louis vs. (1) Michigan
12:10 PM, CBS
This game could be a significant milestone for the Wolverines. They only led by four at halftime, but in the second half, they dominated Howard.
St. Louis, a mid-major team that had found its way into the AP Top 25 earlier in the season, showcased offensive strength with Deion Brown scoring 18 points, becoming one of the few teams to break the 100-point mark in this tournament.
(6) Louisville vs. (3) Michigan State University
2:45 PM, CBS
The Cardinals managed to get through their last game without their top scorer, Mikel Brown Jr. They took down a USF team regarded as a potential Cinderella story. But can they replicate that success? And can they maintain their impressive 52 percent shooting from three-point range? It’s worth noting, this is Tom Izzo’s time of year. The Spartans came off a solid first-round showing with Carson Cooper scoring 20 points and Cohen Carr adding 17.
(9) TCU vs. (1) Duke
5:15 PM, CBS
So, about those Blue Devils. The top-seeded team nearly faced an embarrassing exit, almost reminiscent of Virginia’s infamous March loss, but managed to pull through against Siena. Was that just a one-time thing, or are there real vulnerabilities in what was thought to be a nearly flawless roster, especially with Cameron scoring 22 points and Boozer Caden contributing 19?
Their next challenge is a TCU team that has been on fire, winning 10 out of its last 12 games, including a nail-biter against Ohio State.
(11) Texas vs. (3) Gonzaga
7:10 PM, truTV
The Bulldogs continued their journey by beating 14th-seeded Kennesaw State, even though they struggled with outside shooting, hitting just 3 of 18 attempts from the three-point line. They’ll have to face Texas, who recently defeated North Carolina State in Dayton and upset BYU, thanks to Matas Vokietaitis’ 23-point effort.
(11) VCU vs. (3) Illinois
7:50 PM, CBS
VCU pulled off their classic move in the first round against North Carolina, coming back from a 19-point hole, which stirred things up in the bracket. Meanwhile, Illinois also managed to surpass the 100-point mark in their first game, proving they are a team to watch. This matchup might very well boil down to which player can score more: Illinois’ David Milkovich with 29 points or VCU’s Terrence Hill Jr. with 34.
(12) High Point vs. (4) Arkansas
9:45 PM, truTV
The last game of the day is likely to be one of the most exciting. The Panthers recently pulled off an impressive 5-12 upset over Wisconsin, finishing strong with a layup by Chase Johnston. Meanwhile, Arkansas lit up the scoreboard with 97 points, defeating Hawaii. Can John Calipari guide his team to the Sweet 16, considering he’s already got a 2-for-2 success since joining the Razorbacks?
