2026 NCAA Tournament Elite 8 Tip-Off Times and TV Channels Announced

The regional finals are set for Sunday with spots in the Final Four on the line.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:49am

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The 2026 NCAA Tournament Elite 8 matchups are now set, with the tip-off times and TV channels announced for Sunday's regional final games. The East Region final will feature No. 1 Duke against either No. 2 UConn or No. 3 Michigan State, while the Midwest Region final will pit No. 1 Michigan or No. 4 Alabama against No. 2 Iowa State or No. 6 Tennessee.

Why it matters

The Elite 8 round of the NCAA Tournament is a crucial stage, with the winners advancing to the coveted Final Four. These games will determine which teams make it to the national semifinals and have a chance to compete for the national championship.

The details

In the East Region, top-seeded Duke held off a challenge from St. John's, winning 80-75 behind a strong performance from point guard Caleb Foster in his return from injury. Foster scored 11 points and added 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 19 minutes off the bench. Duke head coach Jon Scheyer praised Foster's leadership and determination in leading the Blue Devils to the Elite 8.

  • The East Region final will tip off at 5:05 p.m. ET on March 29.
  • The Midwest Region final will tip off at 2:15 p.m. ET on March 29.

The players

Caleb Foster

Duke's starting point guard who returned from injury to help lead the Blue Devils to the Elite 8.

Jon Scheyer

Duke's head coach, who praised Foster's leadership and performance in the team's win over St. John's.

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What they’re saying

“He had no business playing today. He was determined. That's one of the most special performances I've ever seen. He was incredible. His will, just even in the huddles, was what he was doing. He made some big time plays too, but that's a leader right there, and that's a guy that came through for us when we needed him the most.”

— Jon Scheyer, Duke Head Coach

What’s next

The winners of Sunday's Elite 8 games will advance to the Final Four, which will take place on April 5th and 7th.

The takeaway

The 2026 NCAA Tournament has reached a critical juncture, with the Elite 8 matchups set and spots in the Final Four on the line. Duke's victory over St. John's highlighted the importance of leadership and determination, as point guard Caleb Foster's return from injury helped propel the Blue Devils to the regional finals.