Man, how great was Round 1 of the NCAA tournament? Upsets, game-winners, big-time performances, and dominant wins, everything you need to make or completely wreck your bracket. It’s okay, though, we’re all feeling that same pain.
But there’s still a way to bounce back: keep your eye on ten prospects still dancing in the tournament who could end up on the Chicago Bulls next season.
I don’t know about you, but that alone is pretty exciting.
© Bob Donnan-Imagn ImagesChicago Bulls NCAA Tournament Watchlist
Cameron Boozer, F, Duke
Regardless of how the Duke Blue Devils nearly found themselves on the wrong side of one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history against Siena Saints, they still pulled it out by the skin of their teeth. And that doesn’t change how special a prospect Cameron Boozer is.
A projected top-three pick leading the No. 1 team in the country gives any franchise that drafts him not just talent, but a foundation for a winning culture.In the win over Siena, Boozer finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds—five of them on the offensive glass—while knocking down 13 of his 14 free throws. Not bad for what felt like a quiet night.
Next up for Duke is TCU, and you can almost guarantee Boozer is going to come out aggressive, looking to make a statement after a less-than-ideal Game 1.
Top-seeded Duke hangs on to hold off Siena, 71-65Cam Boozer: 22 PTS, 13 REBCayden Boozer: 19 PTS, 9-16 FG pic.twitter.com/pfn7i8tI29
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 19, 2026 @ Aryanna Frank-Imagn ImagesDarryn Peterson, G, Kansas
Another first-round matchup that felt closer than expected saw the Kansas Jayhawks take down California Baptist Lancers by just eight. Projected No. 1 pick Darryn Peterson poured in 28 of Kansas’ 68 points in his NCAA tournament debut, shooting 11-of-24 from the field and 4-of-11 from deep.
Peterson’s Game 1 performance was impressive, but it also highlighted a few cracks. Just one assist and one rebound tells you how heavy the offensive load is on his shoulders.
And that’s the kind of thing a well-coached team, like St. John’s under Rick Pitino, can scheme for and exploit. It’ll be interesting to see how Peterson adjusts and finds ways to impact winning basketball against what should be one of the toughest teams he’s faced so far.
Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson showed out in his March Madness debut ?DP finished with 28 points to lead the Jayhawks to a win pic.twitter.com/YOLY6OOOoB
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 21, 2026 @ Nelson Chenault-Imagn ImagesDarius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas
Here’s a team that was supposed to look dominant, and actually did, as the Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball handled business against Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors men’s basketball in their first-round matchup. Darius Acuff, who’s played his way into top-five pick conversations, had a strong NCAA tournament debut.
He dropped 24 points and dished out 7 assists while shooting 40% from beyond the arc. His two-man game with Meleek Thomas is lethal, making it tough for defenses to fully commit to either star.
In Round 2, they’ll face High Point Panthers men’s basketball, a lower-seeded team fresh off a buzzer-beater upset over Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball. If Arkansas plays to its standard, led by Acuff’s deep offensive bag, they could be in the Sweet 16 in the blink of an eye.
Darius Acuff in his March Madness debut:24 PTS | 7 AST | 3 REB | 36 MINS pic.twitter.com/OSYYQ8vbhE
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 19, 2026 © Ron Johnson-Imagn ImagesKeaton Wagler, G, Illinois
Probably the player, and the team, this entire state is rooting for, Keaton Wagler and Illinois Fighting Illini are heading into Round 2 of the NCAA tournament. The top offense in the nation dismantled the Penn Quakers so badly that, at one point, their fans had to fall back on chants that had nothing to do with the game.
The performance of the night belonged to David Mirkovic, who erupted for 29 points and 17 rebounds, but Wagler wasn’t far behind. In his NCAA tournament debut, Keaton finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, a steal, and a block on efficient shooting splits.
It’s honestly hard to picture Illinois losing to VCU Rams in Round 2, especially with an offense that explosive. But then again, it’s the NCAA tournament. You never really know.
Illinois closes out the half up ? on Penn ?#MarchMadness @IlliniMBB pic.twitter.com/6DusjjqmHS
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2026 @ Aryanna Frank-Imagn ImagesBrayden Burries, G, Arizona
The man most likely to be on the Chicago Bulls next season, Brayden Burries, might also be the one most likely to make a deep run in this NCAA tournament. Arizona Wildcats handled LIU in the “battle of the iced teas” and now turn their attention to Utah State Aggies in the next round.
Burries finished with 18 points on an efficient 60% from the field and 80% from beyond the arc. He didn’t even need heavy minutes, just 28, and still made his impact felt.
As the tournament ramps up, though, there will be moments where Arizona might need him to go win a game on his own. Until then, it’s hard to ask for much more than what he’s already giving.
Brayden Burries is a PROBLEM ?#MarchMadness @ArizonaMBB pic.twitter.com/WDNdwAO8LB
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2026Koa Peat, F, Arizona
Koa Peat, teammate of Brayden Burries on the Arizona Wildcats, finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds in the win over LIU Sharks, though he shot just 41% from the field.
Next up is Utah State Aggies, and it’s a perfect opportunity for Peat to clean up that efficiency.
Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville
Mikel Brown Jr. could’ve seen his college career end without playing a single NCAA tournament game after missing Round 1 against South Florida.
Now, the hope is he’ll be back in time for the next round, where his team faces a very tough Michigan State Spartans squad.
Nate Ament, F, Tennesse
I had predicted that Miami (Ohio) could continue their dream season if Nate Ament had a bad game, given how inconsistent he’s been all year. Tennessee still handled business against the mid-major, but Ament didn’t help his case, 0 points in 18 minutes, and that inconsistency label isn’t going anywhere.
Next up is Virginia, and you have to think Ament bounces back. If not, his draft stock could drop fast.
Labaron Philon, G, Alabama
The sophomore from Alabama Crimson Tide, Labaron Philon, kept his strong season rolling with 29 points, 7 assists, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals in a dominant first-round win over Hofstra.
Next up in the NCAA tournament is Texas Tech Red Raiders men’s basketball, who are pretty shorthanded right now, and if Philon stays this hot, they might not have an answer for him.
Braylon Mullins, G, UConn
It’s easy for Braylor Mullins’ 12 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals against Furman in Round 1 to get lost in the noise when his teammate Tarris Reed Jr. was putting up straight video game numbers. Reed went off for 31 points and 27 rebounds, grabbing every headline and putting together one of the most ridiculous stat lines you’ll see in the NCAA tournament.
Mullins will get his shot to step back into the spotlight when the UConn Huskies take on the UCLA Bruins in Round 2 of the NCAA tournament.
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