Big Ten teams in Sweet 16: Michigan, Purdue help set conference record for most bids in March Madness second weekend

The 2026 NCAA Tournament is underway, with the second round close to wrapping up. This year's tournament has seen some upsets and some buzzer beaters, but now the best of the best are starting to formulate the Sweet 16. As the name implies, 16 teams will qualify for the round, with each team needing just four more wins to cut down the nets as the national champions.

The NCAA record for teams from one conference in the Sweet Sixteen is seven, held by the SEC, which achieved the feat in 2025. They could have some company at the top, though, because the Big Ten has the chance to send seven teams to the 2026 Sweet Sixteen. 

So far, Michigan, Purdue, Illinois, Michigan State and Nebraska have all qualified for the Sweet Sixteen, with Iowa and UCLA hoping to join them. Even if they don't, the Big Ten has already set its own conference record by having five representatives advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. 

Here is more on the Big Ten setting its conference record with five teams already heading to the Sweet Sixteen in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

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Big Ten Sweet 16 record

The Big Ten is already sending five teams to the Sweet 16 in 2026. That is a record for the conference, and two more teams could be added to the mix.

Iowa and UCLA still have to play on the second day in the round of 32. If both of them win and advance to the Sweet Sixteen, it would not only increase the already new record for the Big Ten, but would then tie the all-time record for most teams in the Sweet Sixteen from one conference. 

HISTORY OF UPSETS BY SEED:
16 vs. 1 | 15 vs. 2 | 14 vs. 3 | 13 vs. 4 | 12 vs. 5

Big Ten teams in 2026 NCAA Tournament

Here is a look at all of the Big Ten teams that qualified for the 2026 NCAA Tournament and how they have fared. 

The Big Ten's top five teams all advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. The Wolverines cruised to 21 and 23-point victories in the first two rounds. The Boilermakers had a scare from No. 7 Miami (FL), but held on for the 10-point second-round win. The Fighting Illini had two convincing wins, with an average margin of victory of 27 points. 

The Cornhuskers entered the 2026 NCAA Tournament without a win in the men's NCAA Tournament in program history. Nebraska easily beat Troy by 29 points in the first round and then pulled off a huge 74-72 victory over No. 5 Vanderbilt to make the Sweet Sixteen. The Spartans were challenged by Louisville in the Round of 32, but held on for the eight-point win to advance. 

Ohio State played in the first game of the first round in a highly contested game against TCU. The Horned Frogs won 66-64, making the Buckeyes the first team eliminated from the Round of 64. Wisconsin entered as a No. 5 seed, but suffered the biggest upset of the tournament, losing 83-82 to No. 12 High Point. 

UCLA and Iowa both won their opening round matchups, but have to face No. 2 UConn and No. 1 Florida, respectively, needing a win to make the Sweet Sixteen.

SN AWARDS: All-America team | Boozer Player of the Year | Lloyd Coach of the Year 

Big Ten Sweet 16 matchups