March Madness Update: Round of 32

by Elias Meredith 3/23/26 Sportz Nation

SATURDAY:

5VANDERBILT VS 4NEBRASKA

Photo by Nate Billings/AP Photo

Saturday evening, the roof almost popped off of the Paycom Center after an exciting finish that came down to the last shot. The Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Vanderbilt Commodores faced off at the home of the Oklahoma City Thunder in downtown Oklahoma City.

Big Ten All-Freshman forward Braden Frager’s game-winning layup capped off his 15-point performance from him off the bench, and most importantly, to send Nebraska to their first Sweet Sixteen in school history.

Nebraska would set the tone in the first half by going on an 8-0 run to start the game, but Vanderbilt would stick around.

Nebraska’s lead would not get any bigger than 8 as Vanderbilt sophomore guard Tyler Tanner scored 15 of his game-high 27 points in the first half to keep his club within striking distance. Nebraska was led by senior forward Rienk Mast with 9 first half points.

In the second half, Vanderbilt took their first lead of the game on a 14-8 run. This would put them ahead 58-55, with 8:27 left in regulation.

The last 2 minutes of regulation were action-packed as both teams battled for the lead. In the last 2:09, there were 4 lead changes and 2 ties. The last tie and lead change would be initiated by Nebraska.

With 1 minute left, Nebraska down 72-70, Nebraska would score 4 unanswered points to put them ahead 74-72 with 2.7 seconds left, but it was not over.

Vanderbilt had to go the length of the floor with 2.7 seconds left in regulation, but that’s why it is called March Madness.

Tyler Tanner received the inbound pass and heaved a half court shot. Tanner’s 31st shot attempt of the game rattled out as time expired.

Key to Victory: Field Goal Efficiency

Nebraska’s offensive sets led to more open looks for them, and it showed in their field goal percentage. Nebraska would go 29/52 (55.8%) from the field, while Vanderbilt went 24/58 (41.4%).

SUNDAY:

5ST. JOHN’S VS 4KANSAS

Photo by Marco Jose Sanchez/AP Photo

Sunday evening, the St. John Red Storm and the Kansas Jayhawks faced off at Viejas Arena on the campus of San Diego State University. Led by 2 Hall of Fame head coaches in St. John’s, Rick Pitino and Kansas' Bill Self, both clubs looked to clinch a Sweet 16 berth with a win.

The game came down to the final seconds, as St. John junior guard Dylan Darling scored his only bucket at the biggest time. The Spokane, Washington native driving layup with time expiring gave St. John's 67-65 victory over Kansas.

St. John’s opened up the game on a 16-8 run, where they made 4 of their 11 three pointers within the first 8 minutes of the game. Kansas would respond by going on an 8-0 run to tie it at 16.

The game would remain close until the 2:02 minute mark of the first half. St. John’s would close the half on a 9-2 run, and take a 34-26 lead into the locker room. Graduate student guard Bryce Hopkins and senior guard Zuby Ejiobor had 9 points each for St. John’s in the first half. Freshman guard Darryn Peterson led the way for Kansas with 9 points.

In the second half, St. John’s started to separate themselves. The Red Storm had a 56-42 lead with 8:08 left in regulation, before Kansas closed the gap.

With their Sweet 16 hopes slipping away, Kansas went on a 19-6 run to cut the deficit down to one with 1:56 left in regulation. Kansas had a legit chance of comeback from a 14-point deficit to advance, but they would have to push it to overtime in order to do so.

Kansas tied the game on two Darryn Peterson free throws with 13 seconds left in regulation. To make it hard on St. John’s Kansas would use all four of their fouls to wind the clock down to 3.9 seconds, but that did not phase Dylan Darling.

Rick Pitino drew a play up for his point guard to work in open space. Darling would receive the ball in the backcourt, push it across the timeline and finish at the rim with his off hand. Darling’s game-winning bucket sends St. John’s to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999.

Key to Victory: Dylan Darling’s confidence

St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino said in the press conference that Darling called for the last shot. Before Darling’s game-winning bucket, he was 0-4 from the field.

Pitino’s confidence in his players reflects on the floor as each player plays fearless regardless of the situation.

Thank you,

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)