CBS, TNT, TBS, HBO Max, Paramount+ ready for Sweet 16

Sixteen teams remain. Sixteen dreams are still alive. And with the Final Four set for Indianapolis, every program left in the field has a chance to rewrite its history — or add to it. CBS, TBS, TNT, Paramount+, and HBO Max are ready for the tournament to start.

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Here’s what a Final Four appearance would mean for each of the remaining contenders, from Alabama to Texas, based on the NCAA.com breakdown.

Alabama

The Tide waited 85 tournaments to reach their first Final Four — now they could do it twice in three years. With the nation’s top scoring offense and a roster built to run, Alabama would arrive in Indy as one of the sport’s most explosive modern programs.

Arizona

A trip to the Final Four would make Tommy Lloyd the only Wildcats coach besides Lute Olson to get there. Arizona hasn’t reached the event since 2001, despite five Elite Eight appearances. A breakthrough would energize the entire West Coast — the Wildcats are the only team left from west of Austin.

Arkansas

John Calipari could make history by taking a fourth different school to the Final Four. For a program that hasn’t been there in 31 years, this run would be a stunning reboot — and a long way from Kentucky’s 2024 first‑round disaster that ended Calipari’s tenure.

UConn

The warning is simple: when UConn reaches the Final Four, they usually win it all. The Huskies are 12–1 in their seven appearances. This would be their third Final Four in four years — a dynasty‑level run.

Duke

Two straight Final Fours with two different freshman stars would signal a new era of Blue Devil dominance. Duke has reached a title game in every decade since the 1960s — except the 2020s. A trip to Indy would fix that.

Houston

The Cougars would barely need to travel — the regional is three miles from campus. A Final Four appearance would be their eighth all‑time, putting them in elite company. But unlike the other top‑10 programs in appearances, Houston is still chasing its first national title.

Illinois

The Illini haven’t reached a Final Four since 2005, and only twice since 1952. Beating Houston to get there would be a seismic moment for a program that always seems to hover near the top of the Big Ten but rarely breaks through.

Iowa

A No. 9 seed making the Final Four? That alone would be historic. Iowa hasn’t been to the event since 1980 — also in Indianapolis. First‑year coach Ben McCollum would join an exclusive club, and Bennett Stirtz’s iron‑man workload would become March legend.

Iowa State

The Cyclones’ only Final Four came in 1944 — during World War II, when nine players were in Navy training and barely allowed to leave campus. Returning 81 years later would be one of the most remarkable stories of the tournament.

Michigan

Dusty May could add a Michigan Final Four to the one he delivered at FAU in 2023. The Wolverines’ 1–6 record in national title games hangs over the program, but this roster — built smartly through the portal — has the pieces to change that narrative.

Michigan State

Tom Izzo is the only coach to win a national title for a Big Ten school in the last 36 years. A ninth Final Four would tie him with Roy Williams and further cement his legacy. Expect endless questions about NIL and the portal — and plenty of assists from Jeremy Fears Jr.

Nebraska

This would be the Cinderella story of the decade. Nebraska entered the tournament with zero all‑time NCAA wins. A Final Four run would send Cornhusker fans stampeding to Indianapolis — and rewrite the program’s entire identity.

Purdue

A Final Four in Indianapolis, just 66 miles from Mackey Arena, would validate everything Matt Painter has built. It would also define the Braden Smith–Fletcher Loyer–Trey Kaufman‑Renn era — proving Purdue can reach the mountaintop with or without Zach Edey.

St. John’s

Rick Pitino could become the first coach ever to take four programs to the Final Four. The Red Storm haven’t been there since 1985, despite their deep tradition and Madison Square Garden stage. Beating Duke to get there would make it even sweeter.

Tennessee

The Vols are often labeled the best program never to reach a Final Four. This is their 28th tournament and 62nd game — and still no breakthrough. Rick Barnes, now 71, could join a wave of 70‑something coaches making deep runs this year.

Texas

An 11‑seed from the First Four making the Final Four? That would tie the lowest seed ever to reach the event. Texas isn’t a Cinderella by resources, but the bracket doesn’t care — and the Longhorns could join Loyola, VCU, and George Mason in the record books.

Sixteen teams. Sixteen storylines. Sixteen chances to change everything.

By Sunday night, only four will still be standing — and each one will have earned a place in Indianapolis with a story worth telling