2026 NCAA Tournament Live Updates: March Madness, Elite Eight, Day 1

Four teams battle for trip to Indy

Catch the best highlights and observations from the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Basketball Tournament.

NBA.com Staff | Updated on March 29, 2026 1:17 AM

Illinois celebrates advancing to the Final Four.

Check out our recaps of every NCAA Tournament game here.

MARCH 28, 2026 / 9:16 ET

Arizona and Purdue are underway

Oscar Cluff finishes with the left 😮‍💨
#MarchMadness @BoilerBall
pic.twitter.com/gXoSOX4End
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026

MARCH 28, 2026 / 9:08 ET

It lived up to expectations

Illinois only hit three shots from 3-point land Saturday but took control down the stretch to end Iowa’s Cinderella run through the tournament.

MARCH 28, 2026 / 8:42 ET

Cutting down the nets

"This group is special… Couldn't be more proud." 🥹 Brad Underwood is overcome with joy after @IlliniMBB's win to advance to the #MFinalFour 🗣️#MarchMadness
pic.twitter.com/C2JLA2wq6M
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026

MARCH 28, 2026 / 8:39 ET

Illini heading on the trip of a lifetime

ARE YOU WITH US? For the first time since 2005, we're heading to the FINAL FOUR.
pic.twitter.com/1lduiaqLhW
— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) March 29, 2026

MARCH 28, 2026 / 8:30 ET

The first of the Final Four

Keaton Wagler scores 25 points and Illinois advances to the Final Four with a 71-59 victory over a tough Iowa squad.
(3) ILLINOIS IS INDY BOUND 🤩 The Illini defeat (9) Iowa 71-59 to book the first spot in the #MFinalFour 👏 #MarchMadness
pic.twitter.com/hFGEh9lJnL
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026

MARCH 28, 2026 / 8:13 ET

Breaking away

Illinois takes control of the game with an 8-0 run.
The lead extends ‼️ #MarchMadness Watch the first #MFinalFour spot get booked NOW: https://t.co/73IDsYprmk
pic.twitter.com/a0YLXXtvTw
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2026

MARCH 28, 2026 / 8:02 ET

Back and forth

Bennett Stirtz puts Iowa ahead 49-48.
And now it's @IowaHoops back out front 🤯 #MarchMadness This game is CRAZY: https://t.co/73IDsYprmk
pic.twitter.com/oYOhxPncGT
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026

MARCH 28, 2026 / 7:55 ET

Illinois keeps fighting

Keaton Wagler gives the Illini a lead.
Wagler puts @IlliniMBB back out front 😮‍💨#MarchMadness
pic.twitter.com/64kqcQ5x7d
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026

MARCH 28, 2026 / 7:45 ET

It’s about as tight as can be

Tavion Banks nails a 3 with time winding down to push Iowa ahead 35-33.
Buries it with time running out ⌛️#MarchMadness @IowaHoops
pic.twitter.com/87moNsLttG
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026

MARCH 28, 2026 / 7:11 ET

Iowa leads Illinois 32-28 at halftime. Bennett Stirtz has 15 points for the Hawkeyes.
BRB pic.twitter.com/Mes9YbelqY
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) March 28, 2026

MARCH 28, 2026 / 6:42 ET

Keeping it close

Keaton Wagler splashes from 3 to make it a 20-18 game.
Mirkovic pulls Keaton Wagler's defender away off the screen for the open three 👌#MarchMadness @IlliniMBB
pic.twitter.com/NzCEzy49dj
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026

MARCH 28, 2026 / 6:34 ET

Watch the footwork

Iowa sharpshooter Bennett Stirtz is doing his best to push forward to the Final Four.
Stirtz hits a wild triple 🤯#MarchMadness @IowaHoops
pic.twitter.com/GVPWTKmU2a
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026

MARCH 28, 2026 / 5:30 ET

Welcome to Day 1 of the Elite Eight!

Coming to you live from the Toyota Center in Houston and the SAP Center in San Jose, it’s night one of the Elite Eight, as the 2026 Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament rolls on towards the Final Four.

Here’s the complete schedule:

• No. 9 Iowa vs. No. 3 Illinois, 6:09 p.m. ET (TBS / TruTV)
• No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 1 Arizona, 8:49 ET (TBS / TruTV)