In a year marked by excitement and surprises, the current tournament has seen a fascinating blend of high-ranking teams making expected deep runs and underdogs that haven’t ventured this far in years.
WASHINGTON — As March Madness charges into its second weekend, the action has been nothing short of exhilarating. The tournament has delivered a striking mix of top-seeded giants and lower-seeded teams that have managed to pull off stunning upsets, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
However, a noticeable trend continues in 2026: mid-major teams, those outside the power conferences, have struggled to advance past the Sweet 16. The last significant breakthrough was San Diego State’s inspiring journey to the championship game in 2023. Since the turn of the decade, only six mid-major teams have made it to the Elite 8, with Butler making back-to-back appearances in 2010 and 2011, and Gonzaga replicating the achievement in 2015 and 2017.
This year’s Elite 8 games promise thrilling matchups and will take place in Washington D.C., Houston, San Jose, and Chicago, adding to the nationwide fervor.
Among the powerhouses, the Blue Devils have once again demonstrated their tournament prowess. They secured their place in the Elite 8 for the 26th time by ending St. Johns’ spirited run in the Sweet 16. With this achievement, Duke ranks third in Elite 8 appearances, trailing only behind college basketball titans Kentucky and North Carolina. Since 2018, the Blue Devils have impressively reached the Elite 8 six times, underscoring their consistent dominance.
Who advanced to this year’s Elite 8?
No.1 Duke
The Blue Devils have done it again. They advanced to their 26th Elite 8 after ending St. Johns’ reunion tour in the Sweet 16. Duke’s 26 Elite 8 appearances are the third most by any school behind Kentucky and North Carolina. Since 2018, the Blue Devils have advanced to the Elite 8 a whopping six times.
No. 2 UConn
UConn has done it again. They are Elite 8-bound after knocking off Michigan State on Friday. The win secures the Huskies 14th trip to the Elite 8. One unique stat about UConn is that the last four times they have made it this far in the tournament, they eventually won the National Championship. This most recently happened when they went back-to-back in 2023 and 2024.
No. 9 Iowa
Coming off an upset win over Nebraska in the Sweet 16, Iowa is heading to the school’s fifth-ever Elite 8 appearance. However, their last appearance was in 1987, 39 years ago. Iowa’s other trips to the Elite 8 were in 1955, 1956, 1980 and 1987. The Hawkeyes will take on No. 3 Illinois on March 28 at 6:09 ET.
No. 3 Illinois
The Illini punched their ticket to the Elite 8 after upsetting the two-seed Houston Cougars. 2026 will mark the 11th time Illinois has made it to the Elite 18. Before 2026, their most recent run to the round of eight was in 2024. The Illini will take on fellow Big-10 member, the Iowa Hawkeyes, on March 28 at 6:09 ET.
No. 1 Arizona
The Wildcats secured their berth in the Elite 8 after knocking off No. 4 seed Arkansas by 21 points. The Wildcats are making their 12th-ever appearance in the Elite 8 in 2026. The Wildcats are back in the Elite for the first time since 2015. Arizona will take on No. 2 Purdue on March 28 at 8:49 ET.
No. 2 Purdue
The Boilermakers are in the Elite 8 after knocking off No. 11 Texas by two points in a game that was close wire-to-wire. The win secured Purdue’s seventh-ever trip to the Elite 8. Purdue has been no stranger to the Elite 8 recently; over the last seven years, they have made this round three times. Purdue will take on No. 1 seed Arizona on March 28 at 8:49 ET.
No. 1 Michigan
The Wolverines are back in the Elite 8 after holding off Alabama in their Sweet 16 matchup. The Wolverines punched their ticket to the round of eight for the school’s 16th time. Their most recent appearances happened in 2018 and again in 2021.
No. 6 Tennessee
Good ol’ Rocky Top! The Tennessee Volunteers upset Iowa State on Friday to clinch their berth in the Elite 8. This will be Tennessee’s fourth trip to the Elite 8, but it is their second consecutive year making it this far in the NCAA tournament.
