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With 64 teams set to begin their quests for a national title, there will be plenty of storylines that will develop throughout the NCAA Tournament, from heroes who are born to villains who are made.
So, let’s take a look at five players who are undoubtedly must-see TV. Their games should not be missed as they will play a big role in deciding who will cut down the nets in April.
Azzi Fudd (No. 1-seed UConn)
Everything UConn ever does is under a microscope.
This year, they have outdone themselves, going a perfect 34-0. Now, they have a chance to win it all and become the 11th team to finish a season with zero losses. If they get it done, it’d be the seventh time a UConn team has accomplished this feat, and it will secure them the program’s 13th national championship.
Whether they get it done or not, Azzi Fudd will be one of the reasons why. She’s having a spectacular season, averaging 17.7 points while shooting 44.6 percent from 3-point range.
Fudd has accomplished a ton during her collegiate career. She has already won a national title and was just named a First-Team All-American by the AP.
Can she finish her time at UConn with a picture-perfect ending before beginning her professional career? It’ll be fun finding out.
Lauren Betts (No. 1-seed UCLA)
Lauren Betts is also looking for her shining moment.
During her time at UCLA, the Bruins have had more success than ever before. Last year, they reached the Final Four for the first time in program history, and she returned this season to finish the job.
So far, she’s held up her end of the bargain, averaging 16.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and getting UCLA to a No. 1 seed with a 31-1 record, all while being named Big Ten Player of the Year and repeating as the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. She’s also a First-Team All-American for the second-straight year.
But if Betts and the Bruins fall short, that will be the loudest moment for them in 2026. Can Betts lead UCLA to glory? Or will they fall against a powerhouse like UConn as they did last year?
Either way, we’ll all be watching.
Flau’Jae Johnson (No. 2-seed LSU)
Flau’Jae Johnson is one of the most electrifying scorers in all of basketball.
For No. 2-seed LSU, she will need to be the best version of herself if they are to pull off some upsets and make it back to the Final Four for the first time since 2023, her freshman year when the Tigers won it all.
Johnson, who earned a repeat Third-Team All-American selection, is more than capable of doing this, as she demonstrated with her 21-point performance against Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament, among other instances.
While the odds might be stacked against her at the Tigers, it’ll be fun watching her take on the best teams in the country and attempt to end her college career just as she began it: with a national title.
Audi Crooks (No. 9-seed Iowa State)
Audi Crooks puts up some absolutely gaudy stats for Iowa State.
But, her impressiveness goes beyond the numbers. Just watch her footwork! It’s not her size or strength, but her movement that gives her separation and allows her to dominate inside.
Named a Second-Team All-American, Crooks is averaging 25.5 points on 64 percent shooting, and if you’ve yet to watch her play, I suggest you do so during this tournament. Maybe she can lead the No. 9-seed Cyclones on a Cinderella run!
She’s a special talent, and in every game she plays in, Crooks does something you can’t believe.
Olivia Miles (No. 3-seed TCU)
Olivia Miles is one of the best guards in all of basketball.
She’s an offensive force, scoring 19.6 points and 6.4 assists, leading TCU in both statistical categories. Miles is also averaging 1.8 steals per game, making her a defensive agitator on the other side of the ball.
With Miles, who earned a Second-Team All-American honor for the third time in her college career, expected to be a top draft pick, everyone will be watching how she plays in the tournament, and she will likely impress even her biggest skeptics.
This is Miles’ moment to take charge and lead TCU to new frontiers. Let’s see if she can get it done.
While these are five players everyone should watch, there are countless others worthy of everyone’s attention.
Who are you looking forward to seeing? Is there anyone whom you think is generally unknown but will become a household name due to their play in the tournament? Let us know in the comments below.
