March might be coming to an end, but the madness is just getting started.
The Sweet 16 tips off tonight, and some of the best players in the 2026 NBA Draft class are ready to take center stage. Here are nine prospects the Chicago Bulls should be keeping an eye on, especially with the possibility of holding two first-round picks.
@ Bob Donnan-Imagn ImagesChicago Bulls Sweet 16 Watchlist
Cameron Boozer, F, Duke
After nearly finding themselves on the wrong side of an upset against Siena, the Duke Blue Devils needed a convincing win to shake the narrative that they might be a weak No. 1 seed. They responded in a big way, beating TCU by 23 in the Round of 32 to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16.
Cam Boozer has been dominant, putting up 22 points and 13 rebounds against Siena, followed by 19 and 11 against TCU. But that TCU game was the more impressive showing. He shot 70% from the field, added three steals, and controlled the game without needing to completely stuff the stat sheet in a blowout.
NPOTY pic.twitter.com/etN07awEIW
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 22, 2026Next up, in the Sweet 16, is St. John’s, a team known for its suffocating defense and led by one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history. If Duke wants to keep this run alive, that win is going to have to be earned.
@ Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesDarius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas
Talk about the man of the tournament so far, Darius Acuff Jr. might be the biggest winner of the NCAA Tournament just two games in. In the win over Hawai’i, he put up 24 points and 7 assists while shooting 40% from the field.
But in the game against High Point, he really took it to another level, dropping 36 points and 6 assists on 50% shooting from the field and 50% from deep. He stayed aggressive all night, getting to the line 13 times and knocking down 11 of those free throws.
Acuff even landed a signature shoe deal with Reebok before playing a single Sweet 16 game. No matter how the rest of his tournament goes, or whether he declares for the NBA, he’s already made a statement.
That said, his next test is a big one: a matchup against No. 1 seed Arizona. It’ll easily be his toughest challenge yet. If he delivers another performance like this on that stage, he’s putting himself firmly in the conversation as a top-three prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Darius Acuff is leading the way as the #MarchMadness points leader through his first two games ?Rewatch his best moments from the first weekend ? pic.twitter.com/ydH8L76eqc
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2026 © Alonzo Adams-Imagn ImagesKingston Flemings, G, Houston
Kingston Flemings might be the only guard in the 2026 NBA Draft class who brings high-level impact on both ends of the floor. He’s fast, shifty, can pass the ball well, and the engine behind a top-ten defense in the country.
Houston has cruised through its first two games, winning both by 31 points—which is a pretty wild coincidence in itself. But now, that defense is about to be seriously tested. In the Sweet 16, they’ll face Illinois, the best offense in the country.
This could be the first game where Flemings really has to go above his tournament averages of 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. If he rises to the moment on both ends in the Sweet 16, it’ll only strengthen his case as one of the most complete guards in this draft class.
Buckets on the big stage ?? truTV | @K1ngFlemings pic.twitter.com/baqXzc47GP
— Houston Men's Hoops ? ? (@UHCougarMBK) March 20, 2026 © Bob Donnan-Imagn ImagesKeaton Wagler, G, Illinois
Taking on Kingston Flemings and the Houston Cougars in the Sweet 16 will be Keaton Wagler and the Fighting Illini. Illinois has been the best offensive team in the country, and just like Houston, both of their tournament wins have come in blowout fashion.
Wagler has been playing really well so far, averaging 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, along with a steal and a block per game, while shooting 50% from the field and 50% from three. He hasn’t been the leading scorer in these wins, David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic have taken those honors, but this could be the game where that changes.
Against a top-ten Houston defense that’s favored to win, Wagler may need to take on a bigger scoring role. Kelvin Sampson will definitely have him circled on the scouting report, and it’ll be interesting to see how he responds to that kind of attention.
Kelvin Sampson gave a detailed answer when asked about Illinois' offense:"They're the ultimate challenge."-Calls Mirkovic a 'point forward'-On Wagler: "I'm sure he's going to be a lottery pick… He's awesome."-Says the biggest thing Illinois does is offensive rebound pic.twitter.com/nhCHXWxiCo
— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) March 24, 2026 © Aryanna Frank-Imagn ImagesBrayden Burries, G, Arizona
One of the three No. 1 seeds still standing, Arizona is hoping not to be the next team to fall. They handled business in the opening rounds against LIU and Utah State, winning by an average of 23 points.
And in those two games, it genuinely feels like Brayden Burries hasn’t missed. He’s been as efficient as they come, averaging 17 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block per game while shooting 65% from the field and an absurd 88% from three. That’s 88% on four attempts per night. Absolutely insane.
Now, against a lethal double-guard lineup of Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas, Burries in the Sweet 16 will have his hands full. But this is also the perfect stage for him to show up and will Arizona into the Elite Eight.
BRAYDEN BURRIES, ARE YOU SERIOUS?Big time clutch jumper from the freshman! @ArizonaMBB pic.twitter.com/A2YGqiwGoB
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 23, 2026Labaron Philon, G, Alabama
After an eye-opening performance of 29 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in the win over Hofstra, Labaron Philon came back down to earth against Texas Tech. Despite the win, he struggled to score, finishing with just 9 points on 17% shooting from the field and 25% from three.
He still made an impact with 12 assists, but against a No. 1 seed like Michigan, he can’t afford another low-scoring night. If he wants to help take down a giant, his offensive production has to be there.
Braylon Mullins, G, UConn
The one thing I wanted from Braylon Mullins going into the Round of 32 wasn’t just for him to win, but to steal a bit of the spotlight. He didn’t lead all scorers, but he definitely stepped up, finishing with 17 points on 56% shooting from the field.
Now he’s heading into a Sweet 16 matchup against Michigan State, and if this upward progression continues, his draft stock is going to rise right along with it.
Koa Peat, F, Arizona
Averaging around 15 points and 9 rebounds per game, Koa Peat is heading into the Sweet 16 somewhat in the shadow of Brayden Burries. While the scoring production has been solid, the efficiency has left a bit to be desired.
Against a two-headed monster like Arkansas, Arizona is going to need Peat to show up in a big way.
Nate Ament, F, Tennesse
Definitely a step up from his 0-point outing, Nate Ament bounced back with 16 points in the win over Virginia, but he’s still clearly not at 100%. There have been reports that he’s playing through an injury, and it’s showing, with him shooting just 28% from the field and 25% from three.
Now, going up against Iowa State in the Sweet 16, there’s a chance to reset the narrative. If Ament puts together a big performance, people could quickly forget about the first two games.
Hence then, the article about march madness nine 2026 nba draft prospects bulls fans should watch in the sweet 16 was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( March Madness: Nine 2026 NBA Draft Prospects Bulls Fans Should Watch in the Sweet 16 )
Also on site :