Aussies Cluff, Hassett and Dell’Orso shape Sweet 16

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Purdue senior Oscar Cluff, whose rebounding, rim protection and interior passing have stabilised the Boilermakers’ tournament push and Arizona wing Anthony Dell’Orso provides spacing depth and scoring volatility after a breakout conference performance are through to the Sweet 16 this weekend.

Cluff's Purdue are the second seed taking on 11th seed Texas in the first game of the Sweet 16 while Dell'Orso's one-seed Arizona are chasing a berth in the Elite 8 against four-seed Arkansas.

On the women’s side, Kentucky senior Amelia Hassett is logging heavy minutes as a perimeter forward capable of stretching defences with three-point volume. Virginia sophomore Adeang Ring has added energy and length off the bench in overtime wins, and Vanderbilt freshman Monique Williams has contributed developmental frontcourt depth during comfortable early-round victories.

Friday, March 27, 2026: (11) Texas vs (2) 🇦🇺 Purdue — 10:10AM

🇦🇺 Oscar Cluff (Purdue)

Box Score (NCAA Tournament Avg): 8.5 pts │ 9.0 reb │ 3.5 ast │ 3.0 blk │ 2.0 stl │ 60.0 FG% │ 27.0 min

Cluff has provided interior stability during Purdue’s run into the second weekend, combining efficient finishing with strong defensive activity and passing from the high post. Across two tournament wins he has averaged nine rebounds and three blocks, impacting the game beyond scoring while maintaining a high shooting percentage on low-volume attempts.

His form traces back to Purdue’s Big Ten Tournament title push, where he delivered a series of productive performances including a 21-point outing in the championship game and a 14-rebound semifinal. Over that four-game stretch he consistently anchored the paint, protected the rim and contributed as a connective playmaker. Entering the Sweet 16, Cluff’s ability to control the glass and support Purdue’s offensive spacing remains a key element in the Boilermakers’ matchup with Texas.

Friday, March 27, 2026: (4) Arkansas vs (1) 🇦🇺 Arizona — 12:45PM

🇦🇺 Anthony Dell’Orso (Arizona)

Box Score (NCAA Tournament Avg): 5.5 pts │ 1.0 reb │ 1.0 ast │ 0.5 stl │ 30.0 FG% │ 16.7 3PT% │ 20.0 min

Dell’Orso has played a supporting perimeter role in Arizona’s opening two tournament wins, logging around twenty minutes per game while spacing the floor and handling secondary ball movement responsibilities. His scoring opportunities have been limited, but he has remained part of the Wildcats’ rotation structure as they lean on depth and physical pressure to control tempo.

His most influential stretch came during the Big 12 Tournament semifinal, where he erupted for 26 points on efficient long-range shooting, including six made threes in a narrow win. That performance highlighted his ability to swing momentum as a catch-and-shoot threat when Arizona’s offence is flowing. Entering the Sweet 16, Dell’Orso projects as a situational scoring option whose perimeter shooting could become valuable if Arkansas collapses defensively into the paint.

Saturday, March 28, 2026: (3) Michigan State vs (2) 🇦🇺 UConn — Saturday 12:45PM

🇦🇺 Jacob Furphy (UConn)

Box Score (NCAA Tournament Avg): 0.0 pts │ 0.0 reb │ 0.0 ast │ 0.0 stl │ 0.0 blk │ 1.0 min

Furphy has featured briefly in UConn’s postseason rotation, logging limited late-game minutes during the Huskies’ second-round win over UCLA. As a freshman guard, his involvement has primarily come in short stints, reflecting UConn’s reliance on an experienced core during high-leverage tournament matchups.

His conference tournament appearances followed a similar pattern, with cameo minutes across the Big East title run while contributing energy and depth on the perimeter. Entering the Sweet 16, Furphy remains a developmental rotation piece whose role is tied to game flow and scoreboard margin, providing backcourt depth as UConn prepares for a physical matchup with Michigan State.

NCAA Women’s March Madness — Sweet 16 Aussie Watch

Saturday, March 28, 2026: (6) Notre Dame vs (2) 🇦🇺 Vanderbilt — 5:30AM

🇦🇺 Monique Williams (Vanderbilt)

Box Score (NCAA Tournament Avg): 0.5 pts │ 0.0 reb │ 0.0 ast │ 0.0 stl │ 0.0 blk │ 0.5-1.0 FT │ 2.5 min

Williams has appeared in brief relief minutes during Vanderbilt’s opening two tournament wins, contributing depth at the forward position as the Commodores have progressed comfortably through the first weekend. Her involvement has largely come in late-game rotations, reflecting Vanderbilt’s reliance on established frontcourt options in competitive phases.

The freshman logged short stints across both matchups, recording her first tournament point at the free-throw line while maintaining positional discipline in limited floor time. Entering the Sweet 16, Williams projects as a developmental bench contributor whose role is tied to scoreboard margin and foul situations as Vanderbilt prepares for a higher-intensity contest against Notre Dame.

Sunday, March 29, 2026: (5) 🇦🇺 Kentucky vs (1) Texas — Sunday 6AM

🇦🇺 Amelia Hassett (Kentucky)

Box Score (NCAA Tournament Avg): 11.5 pts │ 4.0 reb │ 1.0 ast │ 1.0 stl │ 1.0 blk │ 30.0 FG% │ 30.0 3PT% │ 100 FT% │ 37.5 min

Hassett has played major minutes through Kentucky’s first two tournament wins, operating as a high-usage perimeter forward who stretches defensive coverages with consistent three-point volume. Her 38-minute performance in the narrow second-round win highlighted her importance within Kentucky’s spacing structure and late-game rotations.

Her postseason output follows a productive conference tournament stretch that included an 18-point outing and multiple efficient perimeter shooting displays. Hassett’s role centres on floor balance, shot creation on the catch and defensive rebounding responsibility. Entering the Sweet 16 matchup with Texas, her ability to convert perimeter looks and sustain heavy minutes projects as a key variable in Kentucky’s upset pathway.

Sunday, March 29, 2026: (10) 🇦🇺 Virginia vs (3) TCU — Sunday 10:30AM (AEDT)

🇦🇺 Adeang Ring (Virginia)

Box Score (NCAA Tournament Avg): 1.7 pts │ 1.0 reb │ 0.0 ast │ 0.7 stl │ 28.6 FG% │ 16.7 3PT% │ 8.0 min

Ring has provided rotational frontcourt depth during Virginia’s extended tournament run, appearing in all three postseason games including overtime wins that required expanded bench contributions. Her most significant involvement came in the double-overtime victory over Iowa, where she logged 15 minutes and recorded two steals while spacing the floor as a perimeter-forward option.

Across the tournament she has filled situational defensive assignments and rebounding responsibilities, offering length and mobility in short bursts. Entering the Sweet 16, Ring projects as an energy forward whose minutes will likely be determined by matchup needs and foul management as Virginia faces TCU’s experienced lineup.

🇦🇺 NCAA Men’s March Madness — Sweet 16 Schedule (AEDT)

Friday, March 27, 2026

• (11) Texas vs (2) 🇦🇺 Purdue — 10:10AM (Oscar Cluff)
• (9) Iowa vs (4) Nebraska — 10:30AM
• (4) Arkansas vs (1) 🇦🇺 Arizona — 12:45PM (Anthony Dell’Orso)
• (3) Illinois vs (2) Houston — 1:05PM

Saturday, March 28, 2026

• (5) St. John’s vs (1) Duke — 10:10AM
• (4) Alabama vs (1) Michigan — 10:35AM
• (3) Michigan State vs (2) 🇦🇺 UConn — 12:45PM (Jacob Furphy)
• (6) Tennessee vs (2) Iowa State — 1:10PM

🇦🇺 NCAA Women’s March Madness — Sweet 16 Schedule (AEDT)

Saturday, March 28, 2026

• (6) Notre Dame vs (2) 🇦🇺 Vanderbilt — 5:30AM (Monique Williams)
• (4) North Carolina vs (1) UConn — 8:00AM
• (4) Minnesota vs (1) UCLA — 10:30AM
• (3) Duke vs (2) LSU — 1:00PM

Sunday, March 29, 2026

• (3) 🇦🇺 Louisville vs (2) Michigan — 3:30AM (Isla Juffermans)
• (5) 🇦🇺 Kentucky vs (1) Texas — 6:00AM (Amelia Hassett)
• (4) Oklahoma vs (1) South Carolina — 8:00AM
• (10) 🇦🇺 Virginia vs (3) 🇦🇺 TCU — 10:30AM (Adeang Ring & Sarah Portlock)