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

Big Ten teams in Sweet 16: Michigan, Iowa help set conference record for most bids in March Madness second weekend originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . 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, Nebraska and Iowa have all qualified for the Sweet Sixteen. UCLA will look to join them with a win against No.

2 UConn on Sunday night. Even if the Bruins don't, the Big Ten has already set its own conference record by having six representatives advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. Here is more on the Big Ten setting its conference record with six teams already heading to the Sweet Sixteen in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.