Today: Freshmen to watch in March Madness, bracket picks and projections, and an exclusive with Greg Sankey.

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MARCH MADNESS

The freshmen who could take over March Madness

Cam Boozer, Darius Acuff, AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson

The NCAA Tournament tips off this week, and several of the sport's biggest storylines revolve around a loaded freshman class. This group has been one of the best in recent memory, with multiple contenders leaning heavily on star first-year players.

On3's Joe Tipton identified eight freshmen who could take over March Madness. Below is a quick look at four who stand out heading into the tournament.

AJ Dybantsa, BYU

Dybantsa has been one of the most dominant players in the country, leading college basketball in scoring at 25.4 points per game. The 6-foot-9 wing has posted two 40-point games and has scored fewer than 20 points only six times all season. He won Big 12 Freshman of the Year and First-Team All-Big 12 honors while helping BYU earn a No. 6 seed. He's also widely viewed as the frontrunner to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Darryn Peterson, Kansas

Peterson has battled through injuries this season, missing 11 games because of a hamstring issue, ankle injury, illness, and cramping. But when healthy, the Kansas guard has shown why he's considered one of the top freshmen in the country. The 6-foot-6 scorer is averaging just under 20 points per game and is widely projected as a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas

Acuff has been electric, especially down the stretch. He scored 49 points against Alabama in mid-February, dropped 37 against Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament, and led Arkansas to its first SEC Tournament title since 2000. On the season, he's averaging nearly 23 points and more than six assists while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and just under 44 percent from three.

Cameron Boozer, Duke

Boozer has powered Duke's 32-2 season, averaging 22.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. The 6-foot-9 forward has 16 double-doubles and hasn't scored in single digits all season, putting together one of the best freshman campaigns in Duke history.

See the Full List

NCAA BASKETBALL

2026 NCAA Tournament bracket picks for first weekend: Contenders, upsets, more

Thomas Haugh, Cam Boozer, Yaxel Lendeborg, Koa Peat

After the selection committee set the full 2026 NCAA Tournament field of 68, fans across the country immediately went to work on their brackets. While no bracket is ever perfect, maximizing the chances to predict all the results of the first weekend takes more time than anyone has. Meanwhile, your co-worker or family member who picks based on the mascots or colors will likely win anyway.

After evaluating all 68 teams in the field throughout the season, there are data points to pull from in every matchup. Here are On3's projections for the chaos of the Round of 64 as March Madness sweeps the nation.

East (Washington, D.C.)

South Florida is a trendy upset pick in this portion of the bracket, with their pace, three-point volume, and tough mentality primed to meet a Louisville team that isn't guaranteed to get Mikel Brown back at 100%. The other game to watch for is UCF facing UCLA; the Bruins haven't fared well traveling to the East Coast.

South (Houston)

Iowa and Clemson could be a very tight contest, but an injury to Clemson's starting lineup tilts it in favor of an Iowa team with NCAA Tournament experience from last season — albeit at Drake. Texas A&M is also a fascinating matchup for St. Mary's, given the chaotic style of "Bucky Ball."

West (San Jose)

Utah State and Villanova could go either direction, indicating it is a great 8-seed vs. 9-seed matchup. Meanwhile, the winner of Texas vs. NC State in the play-in will look to capitalize on a BYU team missing Richie Saunders. Missouri is one to monitor as well, with home-court advantage as the lower seed.

Midwest (Chicago)

Akron is the most lively underdog in the NCAA Tournament this season, catching Texas Tech with multiple injuries to star players, while on a win streak of their own. SMU could also outplay their seed, if BJ Edwards returns healthy and brings back his team's early form. Santa Clara could also give Kentucky plenty of trouble after shaking up the WCC.

See the Round of 32 Projections

🚨Headlines

SPORTS BUSINESS

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey: Historic change in college athletics will be 'messy' and 'uncomfortable'

In a conversation with On3's Chris Low in Nashville, Greg Sankey touched on everything from the future of the College Football Playoff to the growing frustration around the sport's current chaos, but he didn't exactly show his full hand. Still, there were a few revealing moments that offered a telling glimpse into how the SEC is viewing what comes next.

Sankey knows that change needs to come, but that not everyone will be on the same page.

"We're in the middle of historic change, and it's going to be messy. It's going to be uncomfortable. I think I've said enough times that it's never going to be the way that it was, but doesn't have to be the way that it is."

Read the Full Interview

TRIVIA

Now here's a guy...

Below, you'll find 3 facts about a random college football player. You'll try to guess who the player is based on the facts. Let's go.

I ran for nearly 4,000 yards and 70 touchdowns in high school before rushing for 595 yards and 9 touchdowns as a freshman at Texas A&M, including a 139-yard game against Oklahoma State.
As a sophomore, I became one of the most dangerous short-yardage backs in the country, tying a 79-year-old Texas A&M single-season record with 19 rushing touchdowns and scoring in each of the first 11 games.
I was known for my huge frame, and by my senior year, I was moved from running back to fullback under Mike Sherman, with my weight becoming a major talking point during my final season and NFL draft process.

Answer at the bottom.

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