This year’s Sweet 16 is unlike any other in the last 72 years

Mar 25, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; A detailed view of the March Madness Sweet 16 Elite 8 logo during a practice session press conference ahead of the south regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images This year’s Sweet 16, which is now underway, is unlike any other in the last 72 years of college basketball. This is the first Sweet 16 since 1954 that does not include Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, or UCLA.

It was a rough year for those four blue-blood college basketball programs, with a lot of ups and downs throughout the season, but none of the tournament losses were major surprises. VCU over North Carolina was a fairly popular upset pick, especially with the Tar Heels being without Caleb Wilson. The manner in which they lost, giving up a 19-point lead, was the surprising aspect, and of course, led to Hubert Davis being let go as head coach.

Kentucky, UCLA, and Kansas all entered their respective Round of 32 matchups as underdogs and subsequently lost. College basketball has certainly changed, and blue-blood schools like Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, and UCLA can’t rely as much on their history and status to stay at the top of the pecking order. This is the first Sweet 16 since 1954 that doesn’t include Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA nor UNC.

pic. twitter. com/ybzdECYzky — WTF Stats (@WTFstats) March 25, 2026