March Madness: UConn, Baylor and Colorado highlight stacked Sunday slate
The NCAA Men’s tournament is in full swing and Mackenzie Salmon is here to tell which games to watch in the round of 32 on Sunday.
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Men’s March Madness continues Sunday with eight second-round games. Three top seeds are in action − defending champion UConn, along with Houston and Purdue − as we are blessed with more than 12 hours of hoops again.
Brand names, such as Duke and Baylor, are hoping to advance, but some giant-killers are lurking with James Madison, Grand Canyon and Yale all back in action after pulling of upsets in the first round.
NCAA men’s tournament games are airing and streaming across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest news, scores, analysis and more all day. Follow along.
STREAM: March Madness on Sling TV and Fubo
Here is Sunday’s full schedule.
- (2) Marquette 81, (2) Colorado 77
- (8) Utah State vs. (1) Purdue, 2:40 p.m., CBS
- (12) James Madison vs. (4) Duke, 5:15 p.m., CBS
- (6) Clemson vs. (3) Baylor, 6:10 p.m., TNT
- (12) Grand Canyon vs. (4) Alabama, 7:10 p.m., TBS
- (9) Northwestern vs. (1) Connecticut, 7:45 p.m., truTV
- (9) Texas A&M vs. (1) Houston, 8:40 p.m., TNT
- (5) San Diego State vs. (13) Yale, 9:40 p.m., TBS
Purdue closed the first half with a 3-pointer to tie its biggest lead of the game: 16 points.
The Boilermakers are dominating the paint, tripling Utah State’s eight points there, with 24 of their own. That doesn’t even account for the many free throws that have resulted from Aggie fouls enforced when Purdue, and 7-4 center Zach Edey, get the ball deep in the paint.
Edey, who led the country in scoring with 24.6 points per game, already has 21 on 7-of-10 shooting, including 7-of-8 free throws. Edey also already has a double-double, with 11 rebounds.
Utah State struggled significantly in the minutes without center Isaac Johnson, who picked up two early fouls. The Aggies got a little spurt midway through the first half when guard Ian Martínez scored 11 consecutive points for Utah State; he hasn’t scored since then.
Purdue is shooting 17-of-33 (51.5%) from the field and is up 49-33. –Lorenzo Reyes
Utah State is managing a couple of early problems.
For one, it remains in foul trouble. The Aggies have committed 11 fouls through the first 17 minutes of the game. Many of them have been after 7-4 Purdue center Zach Edey has gained position in the post. Rather than to allow him to take a shot with little resistance and live to fight another day, the Aggies have hacked at Edey, who has already made six of his seven free throw attempts.
The other Utah State issue also involves Edey. The Aggies are playing a smaller lineup, yet, they have tried to slip into the paint and force up contested layups with Edey looming under the basket.
The Aggies have scored just six points in the paint, compared to Purdue’s 18.
The Boilermakers are on a 13-0 run and up 36-24 with 4:10 left in the half. –Lorenzo Reyes
While the pace has been a little more methodical than the first game Sunday, both these teams are battling.
Utah State is up 17-15 with 11:14 left in the first half, thanks to senior guard Ian Martínez pouring in the last 11 points for the Aggies.
Even with Purdue having the obvious size advantage with center Zach Edey, Utah State is holding its own, with the Boilermakers holding an 9-8 rebound advantage and 8-6 points in the paint edge.
Edey has four of those rebounds and six points early. –Lorenzo Reyes
Purdue big man Zach Edey is listed at 7-4 and weighs 300 pounds. So, yes, he is a tall player.
The early strategy for Utah State was clear: try to keep 7-foot-4 Zach Edey out of the paint.
It worked, at least until foul trouble slowed things down.
The Aggies ran high pick-and-rolls at the top of the key with their own big man, 7-foot sophomore Isaac Johnson, as the screener. That pulled Edey out from the paint, allowing Utah State to attack and find early shot opportunities. Johnson, however, picked up two early fouls and went to the bench.
Purdue, on the other hand, failed to give Edey the ball early, and its offense struggled to get quality looks. That changed as the half wore on and the Boilermakers settled.
Both teams are each 3 of 8 (37.5%) from the floor. Purdue is up 8-6 with 15:49 left in the half.
No. 1 seed Purdue faces off against No. 8 Utah State in the second matchup of Sunday’s round of 32 games. All eyes will be on Purdue big man Zach Edey, the 2022-23 Naismith national player of the year.
The Golden Eagles aptly burned as much clock as they could and then junior forward David Joplin drained a pair of free throws on a 1-and-1 situation to give Marquette a four-point lead with 7.4 seconds left to play.
Though it was always going to take an improbable situation, Colorado was far too casual coming up the floor and was only able to put up a contested 3-point attempt that clanged off the rim, allowing time to expire.
Marquette was led by guards Tyler Kolek (21 points) and Kam Jones (18), though four of its five starters reached double figures, and guard Chase Ross chipped in 12 off the bench.
Marquette will play No. 11 NC State in the Sweet 16. –Lorenzo Reyes
When it needed it most, Marquette played tight defense.
Holding a one-point lead with a minute and-a-half left in the game, the Golden Eagles were defending a Colorado possession and used excellent help defense and rotation to muck up a pick-and-roll that spring Buffaloes forward Tristan da Silva cutting down the left side of the paint. Colorado would end up with an open 3 pointer that did not fall, and Marquette guard Tyler Kolek answered on the other end with a short hook shot, using the left hand that has given Colorado trouble all game long.
Colorado then got a few clean looks but ultimately got Cody Williams to the line after he was fouled on a drive. The problem: He missed one of his free throws.
Marquette has the ball, up 79-77 with 17.8 seconds left in the game. –Lorenzo Reyes
This one is coming down to the wire, and Colorado is going punch-for-punch with Marquette.
There are a few reasons why the Buffaloes have tied this game at 74 with three minutes left to play: shot making has improved and offensive tempo has increased, but offensive rebounds are giving Colorado plenty of second-chance points. The Buffaloes have a 12-3 advantage on offensive boards. two of the team’s five starters have at least three apiece: center Eddie Lampkin Jr. and guard J’Vonne Hadley. –Lorenzo Reyes
As much as Colorado has threatened Marquette in this second half, the Golden Eagles have responded.
Marquette is holding a five-point lead with 7:46 left in the game, in spite of Colorado’s increased offensive efficiency. The duo of Colorado forward Tristan da Silva (12 points in the second half) and guard KJ Simpson (16 points overall) has helped the Buffaloes make this a game after Marquette played near-flawless offensive basketball in the first half.
The Golden Eagles are getting steady production from guard Tyler Kolek, whose 12 points and 10 assists have kept Marquette afloat. One potential issue for the Golden Eagles: guard Kam Jones, who has a game-high 18 points, picked up his fourth foul and went to the bench. -Lorenzo Reyes
Tristan da Silva is absolutely feeling it.
The senior forward from Colorado has 10 of his 12 points in the second half and has sparked a Colorado run that saw the Buffaloes hit their first four 3 pointers after halftime.
The Buffaloes briefly held their first lead of the game, but Marquette answered with its own 8-2 run and has continued to attack the paint to get high-percentage baskets. The Golden Eagles have a robust 38 points in the paint and are 20 of 24 (83.3%) on two-point field goal attempts.
Marquette is up 62-57 with 11:17 left in the game.
The Buffaloes did exactly what they needed to do coming out of the half.
Colorado ripped off a quick, 10-2 run to trim Marquette’s lead to only three points, forcing Golden Eagles coach Shaka Smart to call a quick timeout fewer than two minutes into the half.
Colorado pushed the tempo off of Marquette misses and buried its last three shots, including a pair of 3 pointers.
Colorado now has two players in double figures, guard KJ Simpson, with 10 and center Eddie Lampkin Jr. with 11. –Lorenzo Reyes
It seems that if anyone can stop Marquette in its second-round game against Colorado, it’s Marquette.
In the first half, the Golden Eagles swung the ball from side to side, buried shots, pushed the pace and slashed into the paint almost at will. They also committed seven turnovers.
Still, Marquette opened a 45-34 lead on Colorado behind a red hot 67.9%-shooting performance from the field. The most telling stat: the Golden Eagles are 13-of-15 (86.7%) on all two-point field goals. All 26 of Marquette’s points from two-point field goals have come in the paint.
Junior guard Kam Jones is 6 of 9, including 4 of 7from three, and leads all players with 16 points.
Colorado has had open looks that haven’t dropped, and the team’s struggles from 3-point range have hurt the Buffaloes. Colorado is just 3 of 13 (23.1%) from beyond the arc. On defense, the Buffaloes also have to solve Marquette’s pace; the Golden Eagles have a 12-3 edge in fast break points. –Lorenzo Reyes
It’s not that Colorado isn’t executing its offensive sets and failing to get open looks, it’s more that those shots just aren’t dropping.
Still, the Buffaloes have three players approaching double figures, with center Eddie Lampkin Jr. remaining perfect from the field, with nine points. Colorado guards Luke O’Brien and KJ Simpson have seven points apiece.
The problem for the Buffaloes is that they have no defensive answer to Marquette’s shooting. The Golden Eagles have made 11 of their last 13 shots and are a sizzling 72.7% from the field.
In particular, the disparity from beyond the arc has been notable; Marquette has made 5 of 11 (45.5%) from 3-point range, while the Buffaloes are just 3 of 10 (30%). –Lorenzo Reyes
Marquette is up 37-30, with 3:57 left in the first half.
If there’s one area where Marquette feels it can exploit an advantage, it’s pace and tempo.
The Golden Eagles went on a 10-2 run and have been grabbing defensive rebounds and pushing the ball up the floor, already holding a 6-0 advantage in fast break points. They’re also sharing the ball; all five of Marquette’s starters have scored, and six players overall have made a field goal.
Junior guard Kam Jones leads Marquette with seven points and the Golden Eagles are shooting 10-of-15 (66.7%) from the field.
Marquette leads 22-13, with 10:49 left to play in the first half.
Marquette came out hot out of the gates.
The Golden Eagles hit their first two shots and three of their first four before opening a 12-5 early lead over Colorado. The pace has been quick, with both teams looking to race out in the break.
Marquette’s offense has been either at the perimeter or in the paint; five of the team’s first eight shots were 3-pointers (two makes), but guards Tyler Kolek and Kam Jones both swooped through the lane to get to the hoop.
Colorado hasn’t had as much success offensively, making only two of its first six attempts, and none of its three 3-pointers. –Lorenzo Reyes
The Golden Eagles call Milwaukee, Wisc. home. The school was established in 1881 and plays its home games at the FiServ Forum in Milwaukee.
Marquette opened the scoring on Sunday’s slate of second-round games, with David Joplin draining a 3-pointer to give Marquette the early lead.
The Colorado Buffaloes (No. 10) take on the Marquette Golden Eagles (No. 2) with tip-off set for 12:10 p.m. ET. It’s the first of eight games scheduled for the day.
March Madness scores today
Here is the complete scoreboard for Sunday’s second-round games.
Here is the men’s schedule:
- First round: March 21-22
- Second round: March 23-24
- Sweet 16: March 28-29
- Elite Eight: March 30-31
- Final Four: Saturday, April 6 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
- NCAA championship game: Monday, April 8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Will the glass slipper for James Madison, Grand Canyon or Yale still fit after Sunday’s games are in the books? It’s entirely possible!
USA TODAY Sports columnist Dan Wolken sees two of the three double-digit seeds in action today advancing to the Sweet 16. See his predictions for all of today’s games.
(And while you’re at it, check out our college basketball staff predictions for the Final Four.)
What to know about Tyler Kolek, Marquette guard who leads nation in assists per game
Who is Tyler Kolek? Can he be one of the breakout stars of March Madness?
Kolek is the second-leading scorer and rebounder for Marquette, which earned a No. 2 seed in this year’s men’s NCAA Tournament. But it’s his passing that makes him stand out − he enters the tournament as the No. 1 assist man in the nation this season at 7.6 per game.
The Golden Eagles were also a No. 2 seed last season, but got bounced in the second round by No. 7 Michigan State. Marquette certainly wants to avoid a repeat performance this year as it attempts to return to the Final Four for the first time since 2003. If the Golden Eagles get there, Kolek will certainly play a major role. Here’s everything you need to know about the Marquette star, who scored 18 points and dished out 11 assists in an 87-69 win over Western Kentucky in Friday’s opening round.
How to watch March Madness 2024
CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV will air first- and second-round games. CBS and TBS will air Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games. CBS will air the men’s Final Four and championship game.
How to stream March Madness on your phone
You can catch every second by streaming every game through a few different options. All games will be broadcast across CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV, but here are additional streaming options to watch all the action on your devices.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Here are all the venues hosting tournament games over the next several weeks.
| Round | City | Venue | Dates |
| First Four | Dayton, Ohio | UD Arena | March 19-20 |
| First/Second | Brooklyn. N.Y. | Barclays Center | March 22-24 |
| First/Second | Charlotte, N.C. | Spectrum Center | March 21-23 |
| First/Second | Indianapolis | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | March 22-24 |
| First/Second | Omaha, Neb. | CHI Health Center | March 21-23 |
| First/Second | Pittsburgh | PPG Paints Arena | March 21-23 |
| First/Second | Salt Lake City | Delta Center | March 21-23 |
| First/Second | Spokane, Wash. | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena | March 22-24 |
| First/Second | Memphis, Tenn. | FedExForum | March 22-24 |
| Sweet 16 + Elite Eight | Boston | TD Garden | March 28-30 |
| Sweet 16 + Elite Eight | Dallas | American Airlines Center | March 29-31 |
| Sweet 16 + Elite Eight | Detroit | Little Caesars Arena | March 29-31 |
| Sweet 16 + Elite Eight | Los Angeles | Crypto.com Arena | March 28-30 |
| Final Four | Glendale, Ariz. | State Farm Stadium | April 6 |
| National championship | Glendale, Ariz. | State Farm Stadium | April 8 |
After No. 16 seed Farleigh Dickinson shocked the world and upset No. 1 seed Purdue in the first round of last year’s NCAA tournament – becoming only the second men’s No. 16 seed to take down a No. 1 seed – the NCAA announced there were no more perfect brackets remaining out of more than 20 million submissions.
That might lead many hopeful participants to wonder if there’s ever been a perfect NCAA tournament bracket during March Madness, home of the buzzer beaters, upsets and Cinderella runs?
The answer is a resounding no. There has never been a perfect bracket that correctly guessed the outcome of all 63 games in the tournament, despite millions and millions of brackets submitted each year. — Cydney Henderson
The Arizona Wildcats are once again a high seed in the men’s NCAA Tournament, but leading the team is a newcomer with plenty of NCAA Tournament experience: Caleb Love. In his fourth college basketball season, Love has been a leader for a Wildcats team that will be a No. 2 seed in the West region of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The Pac-12 Player of the Year’s teammates have called him their best player and head coach Tommy Lloyd said he is grateful to have on his team.
“This is a guy who’s had the highest of highs in college basketball and the lowest of the lows. His experience is invaluable to us,” Lloyd told USA TODAY Sports. “I love him, and I’m lucky to have him.” Here is what you need to know about Arizona star guard Caleb Love.
Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
