The GIST: Last night’s Sweet 16 games decided the first four Elite Eight teams, and tonight’s matchups will determine the other four who’ll advance. May the odds be ever in your squad’s — and bracket’s — favor.

Last night’s action: The two early games had very different vibes: No. 1 UConn demolished their 2023 title game opponent, No. 5 San Diego State, 82–52, while No. 6 Clemson neutralized No. 2 Arizona star scorer Caleb Love to kill the Wildcats’ natty dreams (and Pac-12 men’s basketball altogether) with a gutsy 77–72 dub.

• Later, No. 4 Alabama won a fast-paced thriller to oust No. 1 UNC 89–87 behind a historic performance from forward Grant Nelson, Bama’s mustached maestro. And No. 3 Illinois’ scoring prowess proved too much for No. 2 Iowa State’s elite D, lifting the Illini to the 72–69 dub.

Tonight’s throwdowns: The second half of the Elite Eight will punch their tickets tonight, and all four games are set to be barnburners. Tipping off the action? Cinderella squad No. 11 NC State and their March darling, forward DJ Burns Jr., who’ll try to keep the party going against No. 2 Marquette at 7:09 p.m. ET on CBS.

• Then, No. 1 Purdue and No. 1 Houston will face their toughest foes yet in No. 5 Gonzaga and No. 4 Duke, respectively, before the 10:09 p.m. ET grand finale between No. 2 Tennessee and No. 3 Creighton — two teams who barely survived the second round. Dance, dance.

The GIST: The women’s Sweet 16 tips off today with eight show-stopping showdowns on deck over the next 48 hours, including four games headlined by the No. 1 seeds (senior Kamilla Cardoso’s South Carolina, senior Caitlin Clark’s Iowa, freshman JuJu Watkin’s USC, and freshman Madison Booker’s Texas).

• But today we’re previewing the other four firepower matchups, with all squads battling for a spot in Sunday and Monday’s Elite Eight. March may be ending, but the Madness has just begun.

No. 3 Oregon State Beavers vs. No. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish — Today at 2:30 p.m. ET: Notre Dame freshman phenom Hannah Hidalgo is the player to watch, a rising star and the focal point of her team’s offense and defense. While the Beavers have never beaten ND (in five attempts), they do boast sharp shooting and a deep roster. Anything can happen in the Big Dance.

No. 3 NC State Wolfpack vs. No. 2 Stanford Cardinal — Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET: NC State has finally found their groove on offense, but they’ll need to rediscover their defense in order to thwart Stanford senior and future WNBAer Cameron Brink and junior Kiki Iriafen.

No. 3 LSU Tigers vs. No. 2 UCLA Bruins — Tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET: This star-powered showdown is bound to be epic with two physical teams known for their offensive rebounding going toe-to-toe. In particular, LSU junior Angel Reese and UCLA sophomore Lauren Betts will be counted on to leave it all on the floor.

No. 7 Duke Blue Devils vs. No. 3 UConn Huskies — Tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET: UConn boasts one of the country’s best postseason players in superstar junior Paige Bueckers, but Duke (the lowest seed remaining) just pulled off the biggest upset of the tourney. If the sometimes-slow Blue Devils’ offense matches the Huskies’ pace, they just might shock the nation once again. Game on.

Spring has sprung, the birds are chirping, you’re spending more time outside — you just need some goodr shades. Their 100% polarized, non-slip sunnies are a sweaty sporty spice’s best accessory, built for activities and available in tons of colors.

• Best of all, goodr sunglasses start at just $25 (with an extra 10% off if you sign up using your email). Go on — treat yourself.

Girls5eva. The hit show just dropped its third season and follows a '90s one-hit-wonder band as they get a second shot at fame.

This lavender WNBA hat — a spring wardrobe staple.

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