Sweet 16 predictions: Experts pick who will advance in March Madness bracket

How’s your bracket looking?

Probably not so bad if you picked all the favorites.

But there were a few surprises in the Men’s NCAA Tournament first two rounds, the biggest being No. 9 Iowa taking down defending champion Florida.

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That result means we won’t get a second straight Final Four with all No. 1 seeds. So who will reach Indianapolis? First things first, who will in this week’s Sweet 16?

USA TODAY Sports staff made their picks. Check them out below:

1 / 25

Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset

Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) celebrates after a play against the Florida Gators in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.

1 / 25

Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset

Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) celebrates after a play against the Florida Gators in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.

2 / 25

Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset

Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) celebrates after defeating the Florida Gators in a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.

3 / 25

Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset

Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) celebrates after defeating the Florida Gators in a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.

4 / 25

Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset

Tavion Banks #6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes dunks the ball against Alex Condon #21 of the Florida Gators during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.

5 / 25

Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset

Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kael Combs (11) celebrates after defeating the Florida Gators in a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.

6 / 25

Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset

Alvaro Folgueiras #7 of the Iowa Hawkeyes attempts a…

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Publish date : 2026-03-23 10:06:00

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